Voting in Arkansas

You can search for your polling place here.

Voters can typically only vote absentee in Arkansas with an approved excuse. During COVID-19, all voters can use the excuse “physical illness/disability” to request an absentee ballot.

To request an absentee ballot in Arkansas, complete an application, print, sign, and mail to your county clerk. The application must include your original, non-digital signature if submitted by mail. If submitting the application email or fax, a scanned version of the signature is sufficient.

Click here to track your Arkansas absentee ballot.

To return your Arkansas absentee ballot, return it in person to your county clerk the day before the election, or return via mail or a designated bearer by Election Day.

Arkansas offers in-person early voting. No excuse is needed to vote early. Early voting begins 7 to 15 days prior to Election Day and ends the day before Election Day.

Arkansas has open primaries. Any registered voter can participate in primary elections, regardless of political party. 17-year-olds cannot vote in the primary election even if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

Photo ID is required to vote in Arkansas. An ID is acceptable if it meets all of the following requirements:
- Shows the name of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued
- Shows a photograph of the person to whom the document or identification card was issued
- Is issued by the United States, the State of Arkansas, or an accredited postsecondary educational institution in the State of Arkansas
- If displaying an expiration date, is not expired or expired no more than four (4) years before the date of the election in which the voter seeks to vote

Valid forms of ID include:
- Driver's license.
- Photo identification card
- Concealed handgun carry license
- United States passport
- Employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited postsecondary educational 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 under § 7-5-324.

Note: A document or identification card may be presented in a digital format on an electronic device if it complies with other requirements and has been approved or issued by the U.S., the state of Arkansas, or an accredited post-secondary educational institution.

If you go to your polling place without an approved form of ID, you can vote a provisional ballot. Provisional ballots cast in this manner will be counted if:

(a) The voter completes a sworn statement at the polling site stating that the voter is registered to vote in this state and that he or she is the person registered to vote, and the county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds, or

(b) The voter returns to the county board of election commissioners or the county clerk by 12:00 noon on the Monday following the election and presents a document or identification card meeting the requirements described above, and the county board of election commissioners does not determine that the provisional ballot is invalid and should not be counted based on other grounds.