SB604 Summary

• Establishes penalties under § 7-4-122 for election officials who knowingly, willfully, and with intent to influence election outcomes fail to perform statutory duties, fail to follow State Board guidance, or perform duties in a manner that hinders their purpose.

• Grants exclusive jurisdiction to the Attorney General's office to investigate and sanction violations of the new election official penalty provision, with authority to delegate to the Division of Arkansas State Police.

• Authorizes the State Board of Election Commissioners and Attorney General's office to refer election law violation investigations to the Division of Arkansas State Police for investigation.

• Excludes from State Board jurisdiction felony election-related offenses under § 7-1-104(a)(19), which fall under Attorney General exclusive jurisdiction.

• Defines "election official" to include county board members, election coordinators, and designated poll workers (election clerks, judges, sheriffs, and deputy county clerks conducting early voting).