Arkansas Secretary of State Cole Jester is praising the efforts of law enforcement and election officials following the arrest of a former Pulaski County Clerk’s Office employee on charges related to voter registration fraud.
Deborah Smith, who previously worked in the county clerk’s office, surrendered to authorities on July 31, 2025, after the Arkansas Attorney General’s Election Integrity Unit obtained a warrant for her arrest. The charge stems from alleged misconduct involving 132 voter registrations that were improperly switched from North Little Rock to Maumelle ahead of the 2024 general election.
The investigation was launched after the State Board of Election Commissioners, chaired by Secretary Jester, referred the matter to Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office. The case was formally taken up by the Attorney General’s Election Integrity Unit.
“In Arkansas, election security comes first. Intentional violations of election law should always be met with criminal charges,” said Secretary of State Cole Jester in a statement issued Thursday. “We have an attorney general who enforces the rule of law, and I am deeply thankful for his actions in this case.”
Jester emphasized the state’s commitment to maintaining the integrity of elections and credited the swift coordination between the Board of Election Commissioners and the Attorney General’s Office.
“I am proud to chair the State Board of Election Commissioners, and I am proud we swiftly referred this case for criminal investigation,” he added.
Smith’s arrest underscores growing efforts at both the state and national levels to address concerns over election integrity and safeguard the public’s confidence in the voting process.
No further details about Smith’s court appearance or potential charges were immediately available. The investigation remains ongoing.
