When is Arkansas’s voter registration deadline?
You must send your application to an official voter registration office or have it mailed at least 30 days before the election date you intend to vote. For applications sent by mail, the postmark date stamped by the post office will be the submission date.
If you sent your application close to the voter registration deadline, it is highly recommended that you confirm its status with the county clerk before Election Day.
How can I check my voter registration?
After your local county clerk processes your Voter Registration Application, they will send you a copy of your voter registration card. This process could take several weeks. Do not presume your registration to vote until the county clerk sends your voter registration card.
You should contact your county clerk’s office to determine your voter registration status through VoterView.
How do I request an absentee ballot in Arkansas?
You can request to have an absentee ballot application sent to you by asking the county clerk where you’re registered to vote or download one.
Absentee ballots are issued to Arkansas voters who:
- Are unavoidably absent from your polling site on Election Day
- Can’t vote due to illness or physical disability
- Are serving in the military away from their polling place, or are a dependent family member of such a person
- Are an Arkansas resident temporarily living outside the United States
You can contact your county clerk with other questions about absentee voting.
What identification do I need to bring to vote in Arkansas?
Arkansas law requires voters to verify their voter registration when voting. Under Act 633 of 2017, each Arkansan voter should verify their voter registration by providing a document or identification card which shows:
- A photo ID with the name of the voter
- The identification card shows that the State of Arkansas, the United States, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution issued it
- If the card shows an expiration date, the ID should still be valid, or if it has expired, the expiration date should not be more than four years before election day
Some of the acceptable identification cards are as follows:
- Photo identification card
- Driver’s license
- Concealed handgun carry license
- U.S. Passport
- An employee badge
- U.S. military identification document
Note that Arkansas does not require voters residing in licensed residential care facilities or long-term care to present voter identification cards or documents when voting in person. They should still show a document from the facility administrator certifying their residency.
Arkansas voters who cannot verify their registration can still vote using a provisional ballot. If the voter returns by Monday noon after election day and provides an ID or document meeting the requirements, election officials count their vote.
What should I know about early voting times and locations in Arkansas?
Early voting allows Arkansans to cast their ballots before election day. The period to vote early may depend on the type of election being held. For general elections, you can cast your vote during the seven to 15 days before election day.
Often, early voting happens at the office of the county clerk. Some counties, however, allow voting outside of the county clerk’s office. The off-site locations are often announced in the local newspapers.
Early Voting for Preferential Primary or General Election
The following is the schedule of early voting for preferential primary and general elections in Arkansas:
- Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturdays: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
The early voting schedule ends at 5 p.m. on Monday before election day.
Note that the voting hours for those outside the county clerk’s office may differ. It’s best to check your local newspaper or get in touch with your local county clerk for more information.
Can I bring a sample ballot to the polling place in Arkansas?
Yes. You can bring a sample ballot to the polling place in Arkansas. It is acceptable to bring notes, a voter’s guide, or a sample ballot. Voters often use sample ballots to remember their choice of candidates. It’s always best to contact your local election office to ask about ballot measures.
What special accommodations are available in Arkansas?
Federal law requires that polling places follow minimum compliance standards to ensure that voters with special needs have the chance to exercise their voting rights.
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA) mandates that all polling locations in federal elections be accessible to voters with disabilities. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) further states that each polling location for federal elections should have at least one voting system accessible to people with disabilities.
These voting systems should ensure all voters have an equal opportunity to exercise their voting rights.
What do I do if I see something illegal at the polls?
If you see or experience anything that seems illegal at the polls or have complaints about an Arkansas election official, you are encouraged to report it.
Notify the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners if you:
- Witness a crime such as voter fraud or intimidation
- Believe an election official broke the law or abused their discretion
- Experienced a violation of the Help America Vote Act
You can also contact an attorney experienced in voting laws if you feel your voting rights have been violated.
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