TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BALLOTS; AND TO ALLOW THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO PROMULGATE RULES REGARDING THE DUPLICATION OF DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BALLOTS.

HB 1693 standardizes how Arkansas election officials handle damaged or defective ballots. It requires election officials to create a true duplicate of such ballots in the presence of witnesses, label both the original and duplicate with "original" and "duplicate," assign the same serial number, and securely store them before counting the duplicate. The bill also authorizes the State Board of Election Commissioners to create detailed rules for this duplication process. This directly affects election officials at polling sites and central counting facilities, ensuring consistent handling of disputed ballots during elections. The law updates existing procedures to clarify ballot duplication requirements and reporting timelines for county election boards.