Arkansas voter registration closes Oct 5 for the November 3, 2026 election. Every deadline — registration, mail ballot and early voting — with the official source for each.
Look up your own ballot and polling place →
Mailed registration application must be postmarked by Monday, October 5 (the 30-day deadline falls on Sunday Oct 4 and moves to the next business day). Submit the application to the county clerk or another official voter registration agency by Monday, October 5.
Early voting begins 15 days before the election. Statewide hours: 8 AM-6 PM Monday-Friday, 10 AM-4 PM Saturday. Locations are set by each county. Last day of early voting; closes at 5:00 PM Monday. No-excuse early in-person voting Oct 19 - Nov 2 (8 AM-6 PM weekdays, 10 AM-4 PM Saturdays, ends 5 PM Monday Nov 2). Early voting sites vary by county; the state sets the dates and hours.
Absentee (excuse required) applications by mail, fax, or email must be received by the county clerk by Oct 27. In-person applications (voter, designated bearer, or administrator) accepted until close of regular business hours Friday Oct 30.
Registration closes 30 days before the runoff. Thirty days before December 1, 2026 is Sunday, November 1, so the deadline moves to Monday, November 2, 2026.
Last day of early voting; closes at 5:00 PM Monday. No-excuse early in-person voting Oct 19 - Nov 2 (8 AM-6 PM weekdays, 10 AM-4 PM Saturdays, ends 5 PM Monday Nov 2). Early voting sites vary by county; the state sets the dates and hours.
Mailed absentee ballots must be received at the county clerk's office by 7:30 PM on Election Day. Ballots hand-delivered by the voter or designated bearer must reach the clerk by close of regular business hours Friday Oct 30. Ballots cannot be faxed or emailed. UOCAVA voters have a later receipt deadline.
Arkansas has no separate municipal election day — city and town officers are elected at the regular November general election in even-numbered years. State law does set one further uniform date: any municipal or county race that nobody wins outright in November goes to a statewide general runoff four weeks later, which the Secretary of State's 2026 calendar fixes at Tuesday, December 1, 2026. Most cities will have no runoff; ask your county clerk whether any race in your city is on that ballot.
We publish a gap rather than a guess. These points were not settled by an official source:
Every date above was read from the Arkansas election office's own published material, last checked Tuesday, September 15, 2026. Confirm anything you are relying on with your local election authority.
https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information/voter-registration-information
How Do I Register to Vote? You must fill out a paper Voter Registration Application.
https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/uploads/elections/2026_Election_Calendar_Rev._6-2025_.pdf
Deadline to apply to register to vote – Sunday, October 4, 2026* o Actual deadline is Monday, October 5, 2026
https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information/absentee-voting
received at clerks office by 7:30 p.m. ON election day