Arkansas Voter Guide

Upcoming Elections

May 24, 2022 is the Preferential Primary Election, as well as the Nonpartisan General Election (prosecutors and judges) and the Annual School Election

June 21, 2022 is the General Primary Election

August 9 is the Municipal Primary Election

November 8 is the General Election and the Nonpartisan Runoff Election

Election Rules

All voters in Arkansas can choose to vote in the Democratic or Republican primary regardless of their current political affiliation

Voter Registration Deadline: 30 days before Election Day in-person, online, or by mail

• April 24, 2022 for the May 24 elections
• May 23, 2022 for the June 21 elections
• July 10, 2022 for the August 9 elections
• October 9, 2022 for the November 8 elections

Early voting in Arkansas takes place from 15 days before the election to the Monday before Election Day.

• Early voting begins May 9 for the May 24 election
• Early voting begins October 24 for the November 8 election

If your address or name has been changed since your voter registration, you may update your registration at the early polling site. In most counties you can vote at your county clerk’s office, you can view your county’s location and contact information here.

Restoration of Voting Rights After Felony Convictions: The right to vote is automatically restored for felons following the completion of their parole or probation.

ID Requirements for Voting: Photo ID required, voters without an ID can cast a provisional ballot and verify their identity by the following Monday.

Ranked Choice Voting: Ranked choice voting is used in all local elections for military and oversees voters.

Time off to Vote Law: Arkansas law requires employers to schedule hours so that employees have enough time to vote. It is the employers discretion whether or not the time is paid or unpaid. Learn more here.

Early Voting: Depending on the election, you may vote early in the 7 or 15 days before an election. Early voting usually takes place at the county clerk’s office, or another location designated by the local paper.

Absentee Voting: An excuse is required to obtain an absentee ballot in Arkansas. View the list of excuses and download the application here. Absentee ballot applications must be received by mail by the 7 days before Election Day or in-person 5 days before Election Day. The ballots must be returned by the Friday before Election Day. Arkansas new election law implicitly prohibits ballot drop boxes, absentee ballots must be returned by mail or in-person to the county clerk.

Gender Gaps in Representation

Arkansas is one of 13 states that have no women serving in either Chamber of Congress. Arkansas also ranks 41st in the country for women’s representation in the State Legislature.

Voter Turnout

Arkansas had lower voter turnout for both men and women than the United States overall in the 2016 Presidential Election.

Percent Voter Turnout by Gender

Percent Voter Turnout by Race

Other races not shown due to population size