Everything you need to know about voting in Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — Are you ready to vote this November?

Check out this compiled list of information about voter registration, absentee ballots, early voting and other general election information in Arkansas.

Have a question that could not be answered here? Email news@knwa.com.

When is Election Day?

Election Day is on Nov. 5, 2024.

Voter registration

Who is eligible to register to vote?

To be eligible to vote in Arkansas, a person must:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be a resident of Arkansas.
• Be 18 years old by Election Day (Nov. 5).

Who is not eligible to register?

• Individuals currently deemed mentally incompetent by a court.
• Convicted felons, unless their sentence has been pardoned or served in full.

How do I know that I am registered to vote in Arkansas?

Check out the Arkansas voter registration page on the Secretary of State Voter View website .

Alternatively, contact a local elections office, courthouse or county elections office for more information on voter registration status.

How do I register to vote for the first time?

Registering by mail

• Print and fill out an application from the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website , picking one up from a county clerk’s office (listed here) or requesting it by mail .
  • You can also pick up a voter registration form from a local DMV office, public library, disability agency or military recruitment office.
• After completing the form, print, sign, and mail it to the Arkansas Secretary of State.

Registering in person

• Visit a local elections office and register in person at least 30 days before the election.

How do I update or change my voter registration?

Changing voter registration is similar to first-time registration. It can be done by mail or in person and must be completed at least 30 days before the election.

What ID do I need to register to vote?

In-Person Registration: Provide a state-issued driver’s license or nonoperating ID number. If unavailable, use the last four digits of your social security number.

If none of these are available, write “NONE,” and the State will assign a unique number.

By Mail: Include a state-issued driver’s license or nonoperating ID number, or the last four digits of your social security number. If neither is available, write “NONE.”

Verification requires a document with your name, photo, issued by a recognized authority, and not expired (or expired within four years).

When is the deadline to register to vote?

In Arkansas, registration must be completed at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to vote.

For the upcoming Arkansas General Election, the voter registration application must be:

Postmarked by (mail): Monday, Oct. 7, 2024
Received by (in-person): Monday, Oct. 7, 2024

Absentee ballots

Who is eligible for an absentee ballot?

According to the Arkansas Secretary of State, to qualify for an absentee ballot in Arkansas, you must:

• Be unavoidably absent from your polling place on Election Day.
• Be unable to attend due to illness or physical disability.
• Be a member of the Uniformed Services, merchant marines, or a spouse/dependent of an active duty member, and away from your polling location.
• Be a U.S. citizen temporarily living outside the United States while maintaining Arkansas residency.

I’ve requested a mail-in ballot but now want to vote in person. Can I change my method?

If you decide not to vote by mail, contact your local election authority for guidance on voting in person.

Is postage necessary for my absentee ballot?

Yes, Arkansas requires voters to cover the postage costs when returning their absentee ballot.

Can I track my absentee ballot?

Yes, Arkansans can track their absentee ballot by using the ballot tracker available on the Arkansas ballot tracker website .

Early voting

Who is eligible to vote early?

For the upcoming Arkansas General Election, all registered voters are eligible to vote early in person.

When is the early voting period?

Early voting starts on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, and ends on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024.

Election Day information

What ID is required on Election Day?

Voters must present one of the following IDs at the polling place:

• Driver’s license
• Photo ID card
• Concealed handgun carry license
• U.S. passport
• Employee badge from an accredited Arkansas post-secondary institution
• U.S. military ID
• Public assistance ID with a photo
• Voter verification card

What if I forget my ID?

If a voter forgets their ID, they should ask a poll worker about voting with a provisional ballot. This allows the voter to cast their vote while election officials verify their registration after Election Day.

What are the hours at polling places on Election Day?

Polling places are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

What if my work schedule conflicts with polling hours?

According to Arkansas Code Title 7. Elections § 7-1-102 , employers in the state must adjust work hours on election days to allow employees time to vote. Non-compliant employers may face fines ranging from $25 to $250.

What accommodations are available on Election Day?

Per the Help America Vote Act , polling places must have accessible voting systems for individuals with disabilities. Check with local election authorities for specific accommodations available at your polling place.

For more details, visit the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website .

General information

What is on my ballot?

Ballot information is public record. Voters can preview sample ballots ahead of time through newspapers, county clerk or election commission websites and the Secretary of State’s Voter View website .

Most counties provide this information, but if it’s not available, contacting the county clerk’s office is recommended. More information on Arkansas statewide ballot issues is also available at www.uaex.uada.edu/ballot .

Where can I find elections results?

All election results can be found on the Arkansas Secretary of State’s website linked here .

What are some additional resources?

• The Arkansas Secretary of State Elections page
• Arkansas Voter View

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