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Arkansas elections in 2026

This page lists Arkansas statewide election dates, voter registration deadlines, absentee and early voting timelines, poll hours, and official election resources.

At a glance​

Register to vote in Arkansas​

Start with the official Arkansas voter registration page. The section below highlights registration methods and the deadlines tied to the next statewide election on this page.

Arkansas voters may register by mail or in person. Registration deadlines may vary by election type or method where noted.

Upcoming registration deadlines​

  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: You must submit your application to an official voter registration agency or mail it no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: You must mail your application to an official voter registration agency no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. The postmark on a mail-in application will be considered the submission date. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5

Online​

Online is not currently listed as an available registration option for Arkansas.

By Mail​

You must mail your application to an official voter registration agency no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. The postmark on a mail-in application will be considered the submission date.

Deadlines

In Person​

You must submit your application to an official voter registration agency or mail it no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote.

Deadlines

Special registration options​

Military Overseas: Available

Military and overseas voters may have additional registration options.

Additional registration notes​

Other Registration Option

The National Mail Voter Registration Form may also be available where accepted.

Registration Status

Consider yourself registered when- and only when- you receive an acknowledgment from your county clerk. This could take several weeks, regardless of your method of application. Never assume you are registered to vote until you have received this acknowledgment. Call your county clerk after two weeks and inquire about the status of your application. Check your voter registration status online by visiting www. voterview. org.

Absentee and early voting in Arkansas​

These absentee and early voting deadlines are tied to the next statewide election listed on this page. Local procedures can vary, so confirm final details with your local election office.

  • September 4, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Available: 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTION Deadline for county clerks to make available applications for absentee ballots for the General Election. Ark. Code § 7-5-405(a)(1)
  • September 18, 2026 — UOCAVA DEADLINE: UOCAVA DEADLINE - 46 DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTION - Deadline for county clerk to deliver ballots to those absentee voters who made timely application under § 7-5-406 (members of uniformed services and other citizens residing outside the United States).
  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: You must submit your application to an official voter registration agency or mail it no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: You must mail your application to an official voter registration agency no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. The postmark on a mail-in application will be considered the submission date. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 19, 2026 — Early voting begins: Depending on the type of election being conducted, you may early vote during the 7 or 15 days prior to Election Day.
  • October 27, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Request BY MAIL ends: By Mail or by Electronic Means: by 7 days before the election.
  • November 2, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Request In person ends: In Person: by close of business the day BEFORE the election.
  • November 2, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Return In person Ends: Absentee ballot return In Person: by close of business the day BEFORE the election.
  • November 2, 2026 — Early voting ends: 5 p. m. Monday before election.
  • November 3, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Reques By Authorized Agent Ends: By Authorized Agent: by 1: 30 p. m. ON election day. The authorized agent must file with the County Clerk an affidavit from the administrative head of a hospital or nursing home located in this state verifying that the applicant is a patient of the hospital or long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state and is thereby unable to vote on the election day at his or her regular polling site.
  • November 3, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Return By Mail Ends: By Mail or by Authorized agent: received at clerks office by 7: 30 p. m. ON election day. You may NOT fax or email a ballot. UOCAVA voters must vote their ballot by Election Day, and it must be received by their county clerk by 5: 00p. m. 10 days after the election.

Voter ID requirements in Arkansas​

Review the current voter ID rules before you vote: Arkansas voter ID requirements.

Arkansas election dates for 2026​

Runoff Election — March 31, 2026​

Statewide general election - Preferential Primary Runoff for Republican Secretary of State.

Important dates​

  • March 1, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline: 30 DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL PRIMARY -- Deadline to register to vote to participate in the General Primary Election Ark. Code § 7-5-201(a); Arkansas Constitution, Amendment 51 § 9(b)
  • March 24, 2026 — Early voting Begins: 7 DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL PRIMARY ELECTION -- Early voting begins for General Primary Election and shall be available to any qualified elector who applies to the county clerk during regular office hours. Early voting ends the day before Election Day at the time the county clerk’s office regularly closes. Ark. Code § 7-5-418
  • March 27, 2026 — Deadline for Absentee Ballot application in-person: Deadline for county clerk to receive in-person applications for absentee ballots for the General Primary from the voter, designated bearer, or administrator is no later than the close of regular business hours on the Friday before the election
  • March 30, 2026 — Early voting ends: Last day for voter to participate in early voting. Early voting closes the day before the Election Day at the time the county clerk’s office regularly closes. Ark. Code § 7-5-418(a)(2)

General Election — November 3, 2026​

November General election is held the Tuesday after the first Monday of November

Important dates​

  • September 4, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Available: 60 DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTION Deadline for county clerks to make available applications for absentee ballots for the General Election. Ark. Code § 7-5-405(a)(1)
  • September 18, 2026 — UOCAVA DEADLINE: UOCAVA DEADLINE - 46 DAYS PRIOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTION - Deadline for county clerk to deliver ballots to those absentee voters who made timely application under § 7-5-406 (members of uniformed services and other citizens residing outside the United States).
  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline In Person: You must submit your application to an official voter registration agency or mail it no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 4, 2026 — Voter Registration Deadline By Mail, Fax or email attachment: You must mail your application to an official voter registration agency no later than 30 days prior to an election in which you wish to vote. The postmark on a mail-in application will be considered the submission date. **Note: ** The original date is October 4, which is a Sunday. Please double check with your local election office if they have moved this date to Monday - October 5
  • October 19, 2026 — Early voting begins: Depending on the type of election being conducted, you may early vote during the 7 or 15 days prior to Election Day.
  • October 27, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Request BY MAIL ends: By Mail or by Electronic Means: by 7 days before the election.
  • November 2, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Request In person ends: In Person: by close of business the day BEFORE the election.
  • November 2, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Return In person Ends: Absentee ballot return In Person: by close of business the day BEFORE the election.
  • November 2, 2026 — Early voting ends: 5 p. m. Monday before election.
  • November 3, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Reques By Authorized Agent Ends: By Authorized Agent: by 1: 30 p. m. ON election day. The authorized agent must file with the County Clerk an affidavit from the administrative head of a hospital or nursing home located in this state verifying that the applicant is a patient of the hospital or long-term care or residential care facility licensed by the state and is thereby unable to vote on the election day at his or her regular polling site.
  • November 3, 2026 — Absentee Ballot Return By Mail Ends: By Mail or by Authorized agent: received at clerks office by 7: 30 p. m. ON election day. You may NOT fax or email a ballot. UOCAVA voters must vote their ballot by Election Day, and it must be received by their county clerk by 5: 00p. m. 10 days after the election.

Official Arkansas election resources​

Use these official and state-specific resources to confirm dates, registration rules, absentee voting requirements, voter ID rules, and local procedures.

What may vary locally​

Election dates, voter registration deadlines, early voting, absentee voting, and voting hours apply to statewide elections in most cases. However, Check with your Town Clerk for the hours of voting, and voter registration deadlines as they vary by town. Please be advised that these dates are updated regularly but are subject to scheduling changes at the local level.