Arkansas voter registration guide: What to know from deadlines, elections and locations

It's time for Arkansas voters to prepare for the upcoming state and a presidential primaries early next year.

The state has several elections coming up including the statewide primary and the primary runoff in the first half of 2024.

Primary elections determine each qualified party's nomination of candidates for federal offices, state and county offices. Candidates who win their party's primaries will qualify to appear on the General Election ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

It can be confusing to register to vote or to even remember if you have or not, so here's what to know.

When is the presidential primary in Arkansas

The primary election in Arkansas is on Tuesday March 5, 2024. The primary runoff will be held on Tuesday, April 2, 2024.

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How to register to vote in Arkansas

To register to vote in Arkansas, you must fill out a paper Voter Registration Application. Online registration is currently unavailable, according to Secretary of State.

To be eligible to register to vote in Arkansas, you must meet the following three criteria: a United States citizen, live in the state and be at least 18 years old or turn 18 by the next election.

Additionally, voters can not be a convicted felon whose sentence has not been pardoned and can not be adjudged as mentally incompetent by court of competent jurisdiction.

When is the deadline to register to vote in Arkansas?

Arkansas does not allow same-day voter registration. Here are the following voter registration deadlines.

• Mail: Applications must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day
• In person: 30 days before Election Day.

How to vote in Arkansas

There are multiple options for Arkansas voters to consider. Let's break them down.

Vote early in-person

You can vote early in Arkansas beginning beginning 15 days before a preferential primary or general election, and on all other elections, including the general primary and general runoff, seven days before the election.

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Request a mail-in/absentee ballot

Voters must offer an approved excise to vote absentee in Arkansas.

In order to vote absentee you must fall under the following circumstances:

• Must be unavoidably absent from your polling site on election day
• Must be have an illness or physical disability that prevents you from attending polling site on election day
• Must be prevented from voting due to a observance of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the entire 12 hours that the polls are open on election day
• Must be a member or spouse of the Uniformed Services, merchant marines or a dependent family member who is away from a polling location due to a member's active duty status.
• Must be a U.S. citizen whose residence is in Arkansas but temporarily lives outside of the territorial limits of the U.S.

Return your completed ballot

You can drop off your completed ballot in person or via dropbox. Rock the Vote recommends contacting your local election official if you need further clarification.

By mail absentee ballots must be received by 7:30 p.m. on Election Day. In-person absentee ballots must be received by end of the business day on the Friday before the election or by 7:30 pm on Election Day if an authorized agent is delivering your voted ballot.

You can find your ballot drop-off locations here or track your ballot online with your state here.

Certain designated individuals are allowed to drop off a ballot for someone else in Arkansas.

Voting in-person on Election Day

If you plan on voting in-person on Election Day, you can find your voting location options here.

You'll also need to bring a valid form of ID when you vote in-person which can include:

• Driver’s license
• Photo ID card
• Concealed handgun carry license
• United States passport
• An employee badge or identification document issued by an accredited college, university or other postsecondary educational institution in Arkansas
• United States Military identification document
• A public assistance identification card featuring a photo of the person to whom the document or card was issued
• A voter identification card issued by the Secretary of State