Committee approves ballot‑draw standardization bill after debate over local practice and training

Representative John Carr, R‑District 15, presented House Bill 1070 — the Ballot Draw Standardization Act of 2025 — to the House State Agencies & Governmental Affairs Committee as a statutory clarification of how counties determine ballot order for general elections. Carr told the committee the bill would require county clerks to certify the date and time of candidate filings to county election commissions and would set a default, transparent ordering method for drawing ballot positions.

Carr said the statute that currently governs ballot order — read during the hearing as Ark. Code §7‑5‑207(c)(1) — is “very vague” and that new or replacement election commissioners sometimes lack clear guidance. “This bill clearly defines how to conduct the ballot draw … but it still leaves ultimate control to the election commission,” Carr said.

Kim Dennison, identified as Benton County election coordinator, and several county election officials described the bill as formalizing a process many counties already use: compile candidates by contest, order them by date and time of filing, and allow a present candidate to draw first. Dennison told the committee that 10 counties provided feedback during drafting and that several large counties already use a comparable method. “This bill would just require that a date and time be certified to the election commission and the list be in this order when it's received,” she said.

Opposition testimony was mixed. The County Clerks Association opposed the bill in committee testimony and offered a late amendment the sponsors declined; Faulkner County coordinator Laura Wiles and other clerks told members the legally required imperative is that the draw be public and random. Some county election commissioners and clerks raised concerns about added paperwork and training. Representative Anthony Beatty, who previously served as a county election commission chair, said current state training already covers the basic by‑lot requirement and warned the bill could add 30–45 minutes of required training.

Proponents replied that the bill provides written statutory guidance so new commissioners and coordinators can run draws consistently without having to call other counties for help. Several commissioners who testified said the measure increases transparency and public confidence in the draw process.

After questions from committee members, Representative Carr moved that the committee “do pass.” The committee conducted a recorded vote and then the chair announced the bill had passed out of committee.

Why it matters: counties run hundreds of ballot draws; supporters framed the bill as reducing confusion and ensuring a documented, consistent process for newer election officials. Opponents said the change could be unnecessary and burdensome where long‑standing local practices already work.

Actions and votes: Representative John Carr moved “do pass” on HB1070. The committee approved the bill after discussion and a recorded roll call vote; the committee chair announced a favorable outcome and said, “Congratulations. You passed your bill.”

Implementation notes: the bill as presented would keep ultimate authority with county election commissions while requiring a time‑stamped filing list from county clerks. Sponsors said the bill is intended to standardize practice, not to replace local discretion about how to draw by lot.