Important Dates and Election Info
Here are the key dates to keep in mind for voting in Arkansas:
- Last day to register to vote: Monday, Oct. 7
- Last day to request an absentee ballot: Tuesday, Oct. 29
- Early in-person voting: Monday, Oct. 21, through Monday, Nov. 4
- Deadline to return absentee ballot (by mail): Tuesday, Nov. 5, by 7:30 p.m. (must be received, not just postmarked)
- Deadline to return absentee ballot (in person): Friday, Nov. 1
- General Election: Tuesday, Nov. 5, poll hours are 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Voting at a Glance
- Voter Registration: The deadline to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 7. Check your registration status by visiting the state’s VoterView page or by calling your county clerk’s office.
- Absentee Voting: Absentee ballots are only available to voters who cannot get to a polling site on Election Day due to illness, disability, religious observance, or another acceptable reason.
- Early In-Person Voting: All registered voters can vote early during the early voting period.
- Voting at the Polls: Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Remember to bring a photo ID, such as your driver’s license or U.S. passport.
Recent Voting Changes in Arkansas
Some new laws in 2023 may change how you vote:
- Drop boxes for absentee ballots are no longer available. You can only mail or hand-deliver your absentee ballot to your county clerk’s office.
- Write-in voting is no longer allowed.
- Registered voters can now vote absentee for religious reasons.
- Redistricting in 2021 changed the boundaries of congressional and state legislative districts, which might affect which candidates appear on your ballot. Check for updates as litigation is ongoing.
How to Register to Vote
You can register to vote by mail or in person. The deadline to register is Monday, Oct. 7.
- By Mail: Download an application from the secretary of state’s website, fill it out, and mail it to your county clerk’s office. You can also request a registration form by calling your county clerk or the Elections Division at 800-482-1127.
- In Person: Visit your county clerk’s office, a local DMV, public library, disability agency, or military recruitment office to pick up and fill out a registration form. You can then mail or hand-deliver the completed form to your county clerk’s office.
Registering to Vote on Election Day
Arkansas does not allow same-day voter registration, so you cannot register to vote on Election Day.
Check Your Voter Registration Status
To check your registration status and view sample ballots, visit the state’s VoterView page.
How to Request an Absentee Ballot
Absentee ballots are available only to Arkansas voters who meet certain criteria. You may qualify if you will be “unavoidably absent” from your polling site on Election Day, have a religious reason, are ill or physically disabled, or are a military member (or the spouse of one) temporarily living elsewhere or living outside the U.S.
Here’s how to apply for an absentee ballot:
- By Mail: Download an application, fill it out, and mail it to your county clerk’s office.
- By Phone or Email: Request a mailed copy of the application from your county clerk’s office. Completed applications can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off in person.
- In Person: Visit your county clerk’s office to pick up and complete an application. You can also complete your ballot during the same visit.
Your county clerk’s office must receive your mailed or emailed application by Tuesday, Oct. 29, for the general election. If you’re submitting the application in person, you have until the close of business on Friday, Nov. 1.
Returning an Absentee Ballot
You can return your absentee ballot by mail or in person:
- By Mail: Mail your ballot to your county clerk’s office. It must be received (not just postmarked) by Tuesday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m.
- In Person: Hand-deliver your ballot to your county clerk’s office by the close of business on Friday, Nov. 1.
Military members living overseas may have different deadlines. Visit the secretary of state’s website for more information about absentee voting. You can also track the status of your ballot on the VoterView page.
Voting in Person Before Election Day
Early voting runs from Monday, Oct. 21, through Monday, Nov. 4. In most cases, early voting takes place at your county clerk’s office. Contact your county clerk’s office to see if other locations are available, and visit the secretary of state’s website for more information about early voting, including hours.
Voting at the Polls on Election Day
You can find your polling location on the VoterView page. Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. If you’re in line before the polls close, you’ll be allowed to vote.
Voter ID Requirements on Election Day
You’ll need to show an acceptable photo ID when voting in person. This can be an Arkansas driver’s license, a concealed carry license, or a U.S. passport. You can use an expired ID as long as it expired no more than four years before the election date.
If you don’t have a driver’s license or other acceptable ID, you can get a free voter verification card from your county clerk’s office.
If you don’t have an ID when you vote, you’ll need to use a provisional ballot. To make sure your vote counts, bring an ID to your county clerk’s office by noon on the Monday after the election.
Voting with a Disability
If you have a disability and need help voting, you can ask for assistance from two poll workers (one to assist and one to observe) or a person of your choice. During early voting, your county clerk or deputy clerk can also assist you. If you prefer, you can vote by absentee ballot.
Voting from a Nursing Home or Long-Term Care Facility
If you live in a nursing home or long-term care facility, you can vote by absentee ballot for all elections in a calendar year. You can deliver your ballot by mail, in person, or have someone deliver it for you. The person delivering the ballot must show ID to the county clerk and sign a register, under oath, when delivering the absentee ballot.
If you vote in person, you can provide documentation from your facility’s administrator proving your residency instead of showing a photo ID. Visit the secretary of state’s website for more details on voting from a long-term care facility.
