Arkansas Primary Election Day is Tuesday; Early Voting Ends Today

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Arkansas voters have one final opportunity to cast an early ballot on Monday before polls open statewide on Tuesday, March 3 for the primary election. The Republican primary operates under a semi-closed model, meaning participation is limited to registered Republicans and crossover voters not registered with another party. Voters will be weighing in on contested local administrative and law enforcement positions, along with a full slate of judicial seats in the 16th Judicial District. Independence County is transitioning to a countywide vote-center model, allowing any registered county voter to cast a ballot at any open vote center on Election Day.

Why it matters

Many local races in Arkansas may effectively be decided in the primary election, as several candidates filed exclusively as Republicans. The new vote-center model in Independence County is also a notable change that could impact voter turnout and access.

The details

Early voting closes today, March 2. On Election Day, Tuesday, March 3, polling locations across the state will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Voters are required by state law to present a valid photo ID. Six vote centers will operate in Independence County on Tuesday: the Batesville Community Center, the Charlotte Fire Department, the Cushman Fire Department, the Pleasant Plains City Hall, the Newark Fire Department, and the Southside City Hall.

• Early voting ends on Monday, March 2.
• Election Day is Tuesday, March 3, with polls open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

What’s next

White River Now's Chad Whiteaker will deliver results after the polls close on Tuesday night, and the outlet will have continuously updated coverage on White River Now and the free White River Now mobile app.