Early voting in Arkansas begins today. Here’s what you need to know:
by Hunter Field, Arkansas Advocate
February 20, 2024
Early voting begins today in Arkansas’ March 5 primary and judicial elections.
Republicans and Democrats, depending on where they live, can begin picking which candidates they want to represent their respective parties for President, Congress and seats in the state Legislature come November’s general election.
All voters in Arkansas will be asked to pick a new chief justice for the Arkansas Supreme Court and to fill Position 2 on the court left vacant by the death of former Associate Justice Robin Wynne last year.
Arkansas’ March 5 primary coincides with “Super Tuesday” when primaries will also be held in Alabama, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee Texas, Utah, Vermont and Virginia.
The general election is on Nov. 5.
Where do I early vote?
Early voting locations are usually different from polling places assigned to voters on election day.
In many counties, early voting is available at the county clerk’s office, but most counties also offer early voting locations outside of the courthouse.
To find your early voting polling place and election day polling place, visit the Arkansas secretary of state’s voting website or check your voter registration card.
Under state law, early voting locations are open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday.
Early voting continues through the Monday before election day, March 4, at 5 p.m.
How do Arkansas’ primaries work?
Arkansas has open primaries, meaning voters do not have to register for a political party and may select which ballot to vote at the poll.
Voters may also request a nonpartisan ballot, which will include only nonpartisan races and issues, like for the Supreme Court and school millages.
Republican and Democratic ballots will include partisan primaries in addition to judicial contests and other nonpartisan ballot measures.
Check your voter registration status, look up your polling locations, and review a sample ballot by clicking here.
See our lists of who filed to run for public state offices this cycle and which races are contested.
What do I need to bring to vote?
Arkansas has a voter ID law, meaning that poll workers may ask you to provide photo identification before voting.
Acceptable forms of ID include: a driver’s license, passport, concealed handgun carry license, voter verification card and other forms of photo identification issued by the state or federal government or an accredited post-secondary institution in the state.
Voters who can’t provide photo ID may cast provisional ballots that are subject to review by the local election commission. Voters can ensure provisional ballots are counted by providing valid identification to the county clerk’s office or election commission by noon on the Monday before the election, in this case March 4.
What if I can’t make it to the polls in person?
Arkansas allows those who will be unavoidably absent from an election to vote by mail.
Instructions and deadlines for absentee voting can be found on the secretary of state’s website.
Arkansas Advocate is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arkansas Advocate maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sonny Albarado for questions: info@arkansasadvocate.com. Follow Arkansas Advocate on Facebook and Twitter.
