Mark Your Calendar: Election Day Details
The 2026 Arkansas general election is set for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls across the state will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. For those who prefer to vote ahead of time, early voting begins on Monday, October 19, and runs through the day before the election. Early voting hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The deadline to register to vote was October 5, 2026. Voters can verify their registration status and find their specific polling place by visiting the Arkansas Secretary of State's website.
The Governor's Race
At the top of the ticket, the race for Governor of Arkansas features incumbent Republican Sarah Huckabee Sanders seeking a second term. First elected in 2022, Sanders is a former White
House Press Secretary and the daughter of former governor Mike Huckabee. She is being challenged by Democratic State Senator Fredrick Love, who won his party's primary in March. Love has campaigned on a message of improving the lives of Arkansans over making national headlines. Also on the ballot is Libertarian candidate Colt Shelby, offering a third-party option for voters.
Your Voice in Washington: Federal Races
Arkansans will also decide on representation in the U.S. Congress. Incumbent Republican Senator Tom Cotton is running for a third term. He faces Democratic challenger Hallie Shoffner, a farmer who secured her party's nomination in the spring. Libertarian Jeff Wadlin is also in the race. Additionally, all four of Arkansas's seats in the U.S. House of Representatives are up for election. Notable contests include the 2nd Congressional District, where incumbent Republican French Hill is being challenged by Democrat Chris Jones, who was the Democratic nominee for governor in 2022. The other three districts also feature incumbent Republicans facing challengers.
Key Statewide Ballot Questions
Beyond the candidates, voters will weigh in on several proposed constitutional amendments passed by the state legislature. Issue 1 would amend the state constitution to explicitly state that only U.S. citizens are eligible to vote in any state or local election. Issue 2 aims to strengthen the right to bear arms by adding protections for ammunition and firearm components and declaring the right 'fundamental' and not to be infringed. Issue 3 is an economic development proposal that would allow the legislature to create special districts that could levy taxes and issue bonds to finance projects, with local voter approval. Finally, Issue 4 would authorize the state to issue up to $500 million in bonds to fund a wide range of water infrastructure projects.
