Destruction of a ballot or ballot materials — Prohibited — Definitions

Ark. Code Ann. § 7-1-112 — under General Provisions.

Ark. Code Ann. § 7-1-112

(a) A person shall not knowingly destroy a ballot or ballot-related material required to be preserved by law until after:(1) Two (2) years after the certification of the results of the election; and(2) The county board of election commissioners has entered an order, created a record to be maintained, and filed the order for destruction of the ballot or ballot-related material.

(1) Two (2) years after the certification of the results of the election; and

(2) The county board of election commissioners has entered an order, created a record to be maintained, and filed the order for destruction of the ballot or ballot-related material.

(b) (1) As used in this section, “ballot or ballot-related material” means a ballot or other form that is:(A) Provided to a person representing himself or herself as the voter or his or her agent by a county clerk, member of a county board of election commissioners, or poll worker; and(B) Returned by the person representing himself or herself as a voter or his or her agent for the purpose of voting in an election.(2) “Ballot or ballot-related material” includes without limitation:(A) A ballot that has been completed, cast, abandoned, or spoiled;(B) A ballot stub or certificate from a ballot that has been completed, cast, abandoned, or spoiled;(C) A voter statement that has been submitted to the county clerk;(D) An envelope that contains a ballot;(E) An affidavit provided to the county clerk;(F) An absentee ballot list maintained under § 7-5-416;(G) An absentee ballot application; and(H) A list of applications for an absentee ballot under § 7-5-408.

(1) As used in this section, “ballot or ballot-related material” means a ballot or other form that is:(A) Provided to a person representing himself or herself as the voter or his or her agent by a county clerk, member of a county board of election commissioners, or poll worker; and(B) Returned by the person representing himself or herself as a voter or his or her agent for the purpose of voting in an election.

(A) Provided to a person representing himself or herself as the voter or his or her agent by a county clerk, member of a county board of election commissioners, or poll worker; and

(B) Returned by the person representing himself or herself as a voter or his or her agent for the purpose of voting in an election.

(2) “Ballot or ballot-related material” includes without limitation:(A) A ballot that has been completed, cast, abandoned, or spoiled;(B) A ballot stub or certificate from a ballot that has been completed, cast, abandoned, or spoiled;(C) A voter statement that has been submitted to the county clerk;(D) An envelope that contains a ballot;(E) An affidavit provided to the county clerk;(F) An absentee ballot list maintained under § 7-5-416;(G) An absentee ballot application; and(H) A list of applications for an absentee ballot under § 7-5-408.

(A) A ballot that has been completed, cast, abandoned, or spoiled;

(B) A ballot stub or certificate from a ballot that has been completed, cast, abandoned, or spoiled;

(C) A voter statement that has been submitted to the county clerk;

(D) An envelope that contains a ballot;

(E) An affidavit provided to the county clerk;

(F) An absentee ballot list maintained under § 7-5-416;

(G) An absentee ballot application; and

(H) A list of applications for an absentee ballot under § 7-5-408.

(c) A person who is convicted under this section is guilty of an unclassified felony and shall:(1) Be sentenced to a term of no less than one (1) year and no more than six (6) years; and(2) Pay a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).

(1) Be sentenced to a term of no less than one (1) year and no more than six (6) years; and

(2) Pay a fine of up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).