AR SB720

State Board of Election Commissioners gains authority to investigate complaints filed against county board of election commissioners members and to remove such members under the new § 7-4-120 process.

Any person may file a written complaint against a county board member alleging they are not qualified under law or have failed to perform their duties, with the complaint requiring specific details including the member's name, county, alleged violation, location and date if applicable, supporting facts, and the complainant's signature under penalty of perjury.

State Board must file complaint copies with legislative committees within 10 days of filing: Senate Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs and House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs if legislature is not in session, or with the Legislative Council if in session.

State Board must investigate complaints promptly and determine if a hearing is warranted; if the complaint clearly lacks basis in fact or law, the State Board submits findings to the Arkansas Ethics Commission for investigation.

State Board provides the accused member at least 30 days' written notice before a hearing, including the complaint, investigation documents, and hearing details, then determines after the hearing whether removal is appropriate and may remove the member if warranted.