(The Center Square) – New election laws are in play as early voting begins Tuesday in Arkansas’ preferential primary.
Arkansas lawmakers established the Election Integrity Unit, which allows the attorney general to sue anyone who commits voter fraud and impose monetary penalties.
“The public’s confidence in government is directly tied to the public’s confidence in our elections,” Attorney General Tim Griffin said. “Thanks to the legislature’s work last year, my office now has the authority to bring a civil cause of action against those who violate our election laws. This is an important tool to ensure that our laws are followed as monetary damages can be an effective deterrent.”
Griffin’s office set up an election law hotline for complaints about possible election fraud.
“I established the Election Integrity Unit last year to ensure the people of Arkansas have an outlet to submit complaints and ensure that all credible leads are investigated,” he said.
The bill is one of several election-related bills passed by the Arkansas Legislature last year and signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders.