Arkansans cast ballots on a range of tax and bond proposals during the May 13, 2025, special elections, resulting in a mix of approvals and rejections regarding public services, infrastructure, and education. The unofficial results reveal a pattern of selective support, with voters backing some local initiatives while turning down others.
North Little Rock
Voters in the North Little Rock School District approved a 4-mill property tax increase, raising the rate from 48.3 to 52.3 mills. The new rate is expected to generate around $70 million to fund a new middle school. The final unofficial vote was 1,706 in favor and 1,514 opposed. This vote is a reversal of 2024, when a similar proposal was defeated by over 1900 votes.
Pope County
Voters rejected 2 ballot measures. A proposed 0.75% countywide sales tax (1,986 no to 1,624 yes), and a separate issue authorizing bonds for public safety improvements, including a new jail, 911 call center, & sheriff’s office. (1,723 yes to 1,862 no)
Fort Smith
Residents supported all three ballot measures related to funding consent decree-related projects. A 3/4-cent sales tax was reapproved with 64.58%; a reallocation of a 1% tax passed with 64.21%; and the bond proposal tied to both taxes was approved by 66.35% of voters.
Benton County
Fire department funding measures for Gravette and the Pleasure Heights Volunteer Fire Department were both turned down. The Gravette proposal was rejected with 56% voting against, while Pleasure Heights saw even stronger opposition, with more than 83% voting against.
Bryant
Two bond issues—one to refinance existing bonds and another to fund a large event venue—were both defeated. The refunding bonds failed by a vote of 775 to 665, while the improvement bonds were voted down 803 to 643.
Berryville
Voters approved a 15-year extension of the city’s half-cent sales tax, with 54 voting in favor and only 15 against. Several bond measures linked to that tax also passed with similar margins.
Booneville
Voters agreed to continue a 1% local sales tax (224 yes to 77 no), but a school millage increase failed by a wider margin—299 opposed and 218 in support.
Hamburg
Residents in Hamburg approved a change in how the city can spend its 1% sales tax revenue.(Ordinance 2025-1) Originally, it could only be used for ambulance and medical services, the funds can now also be directed to the city’s general fund. The measure passed 59 to 26, with low voter turnout.
El Dorado
Voters approved the “El Dorado WINS” one-cent sales tax, which replaces the soon-to-expire “El Dorado WORKS” tax. The new tax will fund a variety of services, including parks, infrastructure upgrades, public safety, city planning, economic growth, and operations at South Arkansas College. The vote was 572 in favor and 187 against.
Madison County
A 1% sales and use tax to fund jail maintenance and operations, passed by a thin margin—1,082 for and 1,066 against.
Gentry
Voters reinstated the local school millage rate to 46, after it had been lowered to 44.4 the previous year.
This election cycle marks one of the last to operate under the state’s previous rules for special elections. With the passage of Senate Bill 353—now Act 405—local governments and school districts will face new restrictions. The law limits when tax and bond measures can be brought before voters, allowing them only during regularly scheduled primary or general elections.
