Arkansas General Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:06 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:26 a.m. EDT
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Registration Summary
You can register by mail to vote in Arkansas by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Arkansas offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who will be unable to vote in person. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Arkansas offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Vote early from Oct 19 to Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: see if you’re eligible and download and return your absentee ballot request form by Oct 27.
- Visit the Arkansas website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Arkansas's website.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Arkansas’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Contact the Arkansas Secretary of State to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Arkansas's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Arkansas.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Arkansas’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Arkansas. If the ID has an expiration date, it cannot be expired for more than four years before Election Day.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Arkansas driver’s license
- Arkansas photo identification card
- concealed handgun carry license
- United States passport
- employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary education institution in the State of Arkansas
- United States military identification document
- public assistance identification card if the card shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued
- voter verification card
If you're voting for the first-time in Arkansas, registered to vote by mail, and didn't submit a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show additional ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo ID
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. In order for your provisional ballot to be counted, you must return to your county board of election commissioners or county clerk by 12:00 noon on the Monday following the election and present a document or identification card meeting the requirements described above.
Can I register to vote online?
Arkansas does not offer online voter registration.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Arkansas offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 19 and Nov 2. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Arkansas's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Arkansas. If the ID has an expiration date, it cannot be expired for more than four years before Election Day.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Arkansas driver’s license
- Arkansas photo identification card
- concealed handgun carry license
- United States passport
- employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary education institution in the State of Arkansas
- United States military identification document
- public assistance identification card if the card shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued
- voter verification card
If you're voting for the first-time in Arkansas, registered to vote by mail, and didn't submit a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show additional ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo ID
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. In order for your provisional ballot to be counted, you must return to your county board of election commissioners or county clerk by 12:00 noon on the Monday following the election and present a document or identification card meeting the requirements described above.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Arkansas voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
To complete the National Voter Registration Form, use these instructions to fill out the following fields:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Arkansas, you must provide your valid Arkansas driver's license number, if you have one. If you do not have a valid Arkansas driver's license, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued either of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form. Arkansas will assign you a unique identification number.
Box 7 - Choice of Party: You are NOT required to register with a party to participate in Arkansas partisan primary elections. However, you must state the party primary you intend to vote in. If you don’t want to cast a party ballot, you may choose to vote in the nonpartisan races only.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: Leave blank. This information is not required.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have been issued one, on your application. If you have not been issued an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
Watch this video about by mail registration from the Arkansas Secretary of State.
How do I vote by mail?
Arkansas allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on Arkansas's site.
How do I get my ballot?
See if you’re eligible and download your absentee ballot form. We recommend you request your absentee ballot at least two weeks before the Oct 27 deadline to make sure you have time to receive and cast your ballot before the election.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting your local election office.
- Find your local election office.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to update your registration record with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the Arkansas Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
Watch this video about in person registration from the Arkansas Secretary of State.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 27
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 3 by 7:30 p.m. CST
- Return ballot in person : Oct 30 close of business
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will need to show photo ID to vote in Arkansas. If the ID has an expiration date, it cannot be expired for more than four years before Election Day.
Acceptable forms of ID include:
- Arkansas driver’s license
- Arkansas photo identification card
- concealed handgun carry license
- United States passport
- employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary education institution in the State of Arkansas
- United States military identification document
- public assistance identification card if the card shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued
- voter verification card
If you're voting for the first-time in Arkansas, registered to vote by mail, and didn't submit a copy of your ID when you registered, you will need to show additional ID to vote. Acceptable forms include:
- current and valid photo ID
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document with your name and address
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you will be able to vote a provisional ballot. In order for your provisional ballot to be counted, you must return to your county board of election commissioners or county clerk by 12:00 noon on the Monday following the election and present a document or identification card meeting the requirements described above.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Arkansas Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Arkansas you must:
- be a United States citizen
- live in Arkansas at the address on your voter registration application
- turn 18 on or before the next election
- not be a convicted felon (or have completely discharged your sentence or been pardoned)
- not claim the right to vote in any other jurisdiction
- not presently be adjudged mentally incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction
Watch this video about who can register to vote from the Arkansas Secretary of State.
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Arkansas. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
Watch this video about military and overseas voting from the Arkansas Secretary of State.
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Arkansas's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Arkansas, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Arkansas. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.