Federal Judge Denies Motion for Exit Polling Near Arkansas Voting Sites

Ruling blocks attempt to allow research firm to conduct exit polls within 100 feet of polling places.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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A federal judge in Fayetteville, Arkansas has denied a motion that would have allowed a candidate to contract with a research firm to conduct exit polling within 100 feet of voting sites for the upcoming primary election. The judge ruled against granting a preliminary injunction that would have overridden the state's existing law prohibiting such activity near polling places.

Why it matters

This ruling upholds Arkansas' current restrictions on exit polling near voting locations, which are intended to prevent potential voter intimidation or disruption of the electoral process. The decision is likely to impact how campaigns and research firms gather voter data and feedback in the state.

The details

The motion was filed by a candidate seeking to have a research firm conduct exit polls within the 100-foot buffer zone around polling sites. However, the federal judge determined that the candidate failed to demonstrate a sufficient legal basis or immediate need to override the state's existing law on the matter.

  • The motion was filed and heard by the federal judge on Friday, February 27, 2026.

The players

Federal Judge

The presiding federal judge who denied the motion to allow exit polling near voting sites in Arkansas.

Candidate

The political candidate who filed the motion seeking to contract with a research firm for exit polling within 100 feet of polling places, which was denied by the federal judge.

Research Firm

The firm the candidate wanted to hire to conduct the exit polling near voting sites, which was prohibited by the judge's ruling.

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What’s next

The candidate may choose to appeal the federal judge's ruling, but the decision currently stands to uphold Arkansas' law restricting exit polling near polling places.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions between campaign data gathering efforts and state laws aimed at protecting the integrity and privacy of the voting process. The judge's ruling preserves Arkansas' current restrictions, at least for the time being.