A federal appeals court on Monday reinstated an Arkansas law that limits how many voters one person may assist at the polls, overturning a lower court’s ruling that had blocked enforcement.
The 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals vacated a permanent injunction issued by U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks, who previously ruled that Act 658 of 2009 violated the Voting Rights Act. The appellate court also reversed Brooks’ award of $103,000 in attorneys’ fees to Arkansas United, an immigration advocacy group that challenged the law.
Act 658 bars anyone other than poll workers from helping more than six voters cast ballots. Arkansas United filed suit in 2020, arguing the law disproportionately impacted voters with limited English proficiency. Brooks blocked the law in 2022, but the ruling was stayed before that year’s election.
Citing its 2023 redistricting decision, the court said that only the U.S. Attorney General can enforce provisions of the Voting Rights Act, not private groups.
Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin praised the decision as a win for election integrity, saying it ensures “confidence in elections” and prevents “undue influence or manipulation.”
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