HB1960 Summary

• Amends Arkansas Code § 7-5-106 to clarify that candidates for nonpartisan municipal office who die or withdraw after ballot certification are subject to special vote-counting rules if only one or two candidates remain.

• Establishes that votes for withdrawn or deceased candidates in nonpartisan municipal offices shall not be counted if two or fewer candidates remain after withdrawal or death.

• Requires that if only one candidate remains for a nonpartisan municipal office after another withdraws or dies, the remaining candidate shall be certified as elected.

• Requires candidates withdrawing after ballot certification to file a signed, acknowledged written statement with either the county clerk or Secretary of State depending on where they originally filed for candidacy.

• Mandates posted notices in all early voting locations, polling places, and vote centers identifying withdrawn or deceased candidates and informing voters that votes for those candidates will not be counted.