Arkansas has secured the top spot in the Heritage Foundation’s Election Integrity Scorecard, jumping from #8 to #1 following an active legislative session focused on safeguarding the state’s electoral process. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Secretary of State Cole Jester were key figures in the state’s rise to national prominence for election security.
The Heritage Foundation awarded Arkansas perfect scores across multiple categories, including voter ID implementation, vote counting practices, citizenship verification, and restrictions on same-day and automatic voter registration. The state also received top marks for its efforts to ban foreign influence in elections and prohibit ranked-choice voting.
Key legislation behind the ranking includes Acts 240, 241, and 218, which bolster the state’s constitutional amendment process, and Acts 998 and 999, which prevent foreign governments from funding state or local ballot initiatives.
With the state now leading the nation, Arkansas officials say they remain committed to maintaining the top ranking and continuing to set a national standard for secure, transparent elections.
