AR SB253

Removes requirement that damaged ballot duplication occur "in the presence of tabulation election officials" when votes are tabulated at a central location, allowing more flexibility in the duplication process.

Establishes detailed procedures for duplicating damaged or defective ballots, requiring election officials to reproduce voter selections on a new ballot of the same style and mark both original and duplicate ballots with matching unique serial numbers.

Requires duplicate ballots to be stamped or written with the word "duplicate" and original damaged ballots to be marked with the word "original" for clear identification.

Mandates that duplicate ballots be counted the same as other ballots while original damaged ballots are secured and separately stored in the same manner as other ballots.

Specifies that ballots damaged at polling sites must be securely delivered to the county board of election commissioners for duplication by election officials or added to the precinct's count manually on election night.