AR HB1038

Eliminates requirements that voters provide a specific reason to vote absentee, allowing any qualified elector to cast an absentee ballot without justification

Removes the previous qualifying categories for absentee voting: unavoidable absence, illness/physical disability, residence in licensed care facility, or religious observance conflicts

Simplifies absentee ballot applications to remain valid for one calendar year once the county clerk receives a completed application

Requires county clerks to automatically mail absentee ballots no later than 25 days before each election to voters with valid applications on file

Removes the Secretary of State's authority to prescribe separate application forms for different voter categories (in-county, out-of-county, care facility residents, voters with disabilities)