LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas' board of election commissioners has approved a set of proposed, permanent rules for absentee ballots.
With one audible dissenting vote, the seven-member board voted Wednesday to accept the emergency rules adopted in late February as permanent provisions. The temporary rules were set to expire in mid-July.
The new rules would permanently allow a brief grace period for absentee voters to submit proof of identification if they didn't attach them with their ballot.
The Pulaski County Election Commission has filed a lawsuit against the board over those changes — saying the rules conflict with the state attorney general's opinion.
Attorney General Dustin McDaniel has said Arkansas' voter-identification law doesn't grant extra time for absentee voters to cast a provisional ballot.
The rules now go before a legislative panel.
IN TODAY'S EDITIONS
- http://www.arkansas…">Plaintiffs: No GOP in voting-rule suit