AR HR1022

Changes Speaker-designate selection from secret ballot to public roll call vote in the Arkansas House of Representatives.

Requires Speaker-designate caucus to be held 15 minutes after sine die adjournment of the fiscal session in even-numbered years, with each candidate allowed 15 minutes to address the House before voting.

Permits absentee voting for members unable to attend, with absentee ballots requested no sooner than 20 calendar days prior and returned by 4:00 p.m. the day before the election, or up to 2 hours before if a documented emergency arises.

Requires the Speaker to announce the name and vote count for each candidate following the roll call vote, allowing candidates to verify their vote totals.

Applies the same public roll call voting procedure to run-off elections if no candidate receives a majority vote in the initial election.