Federal judge restores Arkansas voter registration ‘Wet Signature’ requirement

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The U.S. Eighth District Court of Appeals on Friday released a decision that handwritten signatures are required on voter registration applications in Arkansas.

U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks previously placed an injunction against the State Board of Commissioners’ “wet signature” rule in late August, saying voters could submit signatures electronically.

The decision from the U.S. Eighth Circuit reverses that, again requiring pen-to-paper signatures for voter registration applications.

Get Loud Arkansas has challenged the wet signature rule in court.

The group put out a statement after Friday’s decision, saying:

“Friday evening, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit issued an administrative stay of an August 29th preliminary injunction ordered by U.S. District Judge Timothy L. Brooks, which acknowledged the undue burden that the State Board of Election Commissioners’ wet signature rule places on the people of Arkansas.

The administrative stay puts a temporary pause on the injunction, effectively reinstating the wet signature rule for voter registration purposes.

This rule creates an obstacle that risks disenfranchising eligible voters and disrupting the fundamental process of our elections.

The preliminary injunction recognized that this irreparable harm must be avoided. While the administrative stay poses a temporary barrier, Get Loud Arkansas assures all Arkansans that the fight is far from over.

To those who have registered to vote with digital signatures during the injunction period, your voice matters, and we are committed to ensuring that your registration will count.

We understand your concerns and urge you to remain steadfast as we navigate these legal challenges. Get Loud Arkansas will advocate for those registrations to be recognized and for your right to participate in upcoming elections to be protected.

The deadline to vote in the upcoming general election remains on October 7. Our online tool is still available to pre-fill a voter registration application without an electronic signature.

We encourage all eligible Arkansans to get registered, get informed, and get loud at the ballot box. Together, we will build a better future for Arkansas.”

Anyone wanting to make sure their registration is in good standing can check online to make sure that address, name and other information are correct.

The deadline to register to vote in the November election is Oct. 7.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.