Washington County, AR
Home Menu2025 New Election Laws
The following is a list of Acts that will impact Elections from the 2025 Regular Session of the 95th General Assembly.
The list has been sorted by the different categories the new law will impact. This includes Voters, County Board of Election Commissioners, Candidates, County Clerks and the Petition Process.
Notes have been made for new laws that will directly impact the processes of the County Board of Election Commissioners.
The full text of each Act is available by by clicking on the Act Number.
The Washington County Election Commission will continue to update Voters with new information as it becomes available.
For the most accurate voting information please continue to visit the Washington County Election Commission website and social media pages.
If you have any questions about voting, new legislation or articles about voting please reach out to our office at 479-444-1766 or email: jprice@washingtoncountyar.gov
| Type | ACT | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absentee Voting | Act 403 | TO REQUIRE A PERSON ASSISTING A VOTER TO PRESENT PHOTO IDENTIFICATION; AND TO REQUIRE A STAFF MEMBER TO WITNESS AN ADMINISTRATOR ASSISTING A RESIDENT OF A LONG-TERM RESIDENTIAL CARE FACILITY WITH ABSENTEE VOTING. | Will require two witnesses for an ABS voter being assisted at a nursing home/residential care facility/ Not stated in the law, but possibly an additional box added to the ABS Voter Statement |
| Absentee Voting | Act 846 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ABSENTEE BALLOTS; AND TO REQUIRE AN OATH FOR AN ABSENTEE BALLOT. | Will require a witness signature for an ABS voter if their reason for voting absentee is unavoidably absentee/ An additional box added to the ABS Voter Statement |
| County Clerk | Act 463 | TO AMEND THE ELECTION LAWS OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING NOTICES RELATED TO THE ELECTION PROCESS. | Changes the written requirement to the CBEC and Political Parties from the County Clerk/ Allows for "in writing" to CBEC/ Allows for by email to Political Parties if agreed to in writing and with a read receipt |
| County Clerk | Act 840 | CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION LISTS; AND TO ALLOW THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO PROVIDE A VOTER REGISTRATION LIST TO FEDERAL COURTS. | This would allow for the Federal Jury pull to use Voter Registration List |
| County Clerk | Act 489 | TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS CYBERSECURITY ACT OF 2025 | Creates an office of Cybersecurity. What impact will this have for VR databases and voting equipment? |
| Voter Registration | Act 278 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER REGISTRATION; TO PROHIBIT PRE-FILLED FIELDS ON A VOTER REGISTRATION FORM; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51, § 6. | Voter registration cards that are first handed to a voter can not have anything pre-filled out. |
| Voter Registration | Act 372 | TO ALLOW A CLASS OF REGISTERED VOTERS THAT HAVE CHANGED THEIR COUNTY OF RESIDENCE TO CAST A VALID BALLOT; AND TO AMEND PROVISIONS OF ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, AMENDMENT 51. | This bill changes the 4 day transfer of voter registration between counties/ This bill allows for Election Day transfer if done by end of Voting/ This bill will require some rule changes and new processes for Supervisors an County Clerks |
| Vote Locations | Act 282 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DESIGNATION OF AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION BY THE COUNTY CLERK. | Only allows the County Clerk to designate an Early Vote site in the County Seat/ All Off-Site Early Voting locations will be approved by the CBEC per election and not hold over from a previous election |
| Vote Locations | Act 766 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING EARLY VOTING; AND TO ALLOW A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO CLOSE CERTAIN EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. | Allows the CBEC to close early vote locations except in the County Seat ( County Clerk's Office) during inclement weather |
| Vote Locations | Act 978 | TO ENSURE EARLY VOTING ACCESS FOR ARKANSANS RESIDING IN POPULATION CENTERS; AND TO REQUIRE A COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO CONDUCT EARLY VOTING IN A CITY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES. | Require the CBEC to conduct Off- Site Early Voting in a city with a population over 15,000. However this bill does not specify days and hours |
| Election Dates | Act 405 | TO AMEND THE DATE OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION; TO PROVIDE THAT THE PREFERENTIAL PRIMARY ELECTION SHALL BE HELD IN MARCH; AND TO CHANGE THE DATE OF THE FISCAL SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. | Moves the Primary to the First Tuesday, following the First Monday in March |
| Election Dates | Act 829 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTIONS; AND TO PROHIBIT RANKED CHOICE VOTING. | Still allows for the Instant Run Off Ballot. Arkansas does not currently have ranked choice voting |
| Election Dates | Act 995 | TO ESTABLISH UNIFORM PROCEDURES FOR FILLING A VACANCY IN A MUNICIPAL OFFICE | Aligns the dates with the two approved dates for Primary/General in Even Year and the approved dates in the Odd Year |
| School Elections | Act 264 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE DATE OF AN ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION; TO MOVE THE ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION IF THE ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTION IS SCHEDULED ON A STATE HOLIDAY IN CERTAIN INSTANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | Allows for the School Election in an Odd year to move to the next Tuesday, if it falls on a State or Federal Holiday |
| School Elections | Act 399 | TO AMEND ELECTION REQUIREMENTS IN THE CASE OF AN UNCHANGED RATE OF AN ANNUAL AD VALOREM PROPERTY TAX LEVIED BY A PUBLIC SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. | In Odd Years, the School District may appoint a qualified elector to vote on the millage if the millage is not changing/ In Even Years the millage will be placed on the ballot |
| School Elections | Act 401 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE CERTIFICATION OF AN OATH FOR A SCHOOL BOARD DIRECTOR. | Clean up bill on oath of office for school board members with County Clerk's office and timing |
| School Elections | Act 460 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A COUNTY CLERK'S CERTIFICATION OF SCHOOL BOARD CANDIDATES TO THE COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS. | Changes the date of certification of candidate names to match the date for county and municipal names/ Previously it was the day after filing for School Candidates |
| School Elections | Act 503 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL SCHOOL BOARDS OF DIRECTORS AND SCHOOL BOARD ELECTIONS; AND TO AMEND THE DATE ON WHICH AN ELECTION OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS HELD. | Changes school board terms from 5 year terms to 4 or 6 year terms/ Allow for school board member elections in Even Years only and only with the Primary |
| School Elections | Act 726 | TO REQUIRE THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO FILL A VACANCY ON A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. | Local school boards will no longer fill a vacancy, it will be filled by the State |
| School Elections | Act 912 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS; AND TO CREATE A RECALL ELECTION AND PETITION FOR REMOVAL FOR A MEMBER OF A SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS. | Allows for a recall for local school board members |
| Election Procedures | Act 458 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BALLOTS; AND TO ALLOW THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO PROMULGATE RULES REGARDING THE DUPLICATION OF DAMAGED OR DEFECTIVE BALLOTS. | SBEC will create rules on how these ballots are to be recreated. The bill only addresses damage or defective ballots. SBEC will create rules for these ballots and UOCAVA ballots as well. |
| Election Procedures | Act 17 | TO ALLOW THE ISSUANCE OF A DIGITIZED IDENTIFICATION CARD; TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FEE FOR ISSUANCE OF A DIGITIZED DRIVER'S LICENSE OR DIGITIZED IDENTIFICATION CARD; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY | Allow the issuance of a digitized ID Card/ This can be used for Voter ID |
| Election Procedures | Act 487 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REQUIRED POSTINGS AT A POLLING SITE; AND TO AMEND THE LIST CONCERNING REQUIRED POSTING OF NOTICES, INFORMATION, AND MATERIAL AT A POLLING SITE ON ELECTION DAY. | Clarifies different postings/ adds as a requirement Electioneering, Cross Over Voting, and Assisted Voter Postings/ Requires All Poll workers present to sign tapes |
| Election Procedures | Act 593 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING VOTER ASSISTANCE; AND TO REQUIRE A PERSON ASSISTING A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY TO PRESENT IDENTIFICATION. | Requires an ID to be shown to assist a Voter/ This will require new procedures for when, what type, and what happens if they don't have ID. SBEC will create rules for the procedures |
| Election Procedures | Act 991 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING RUNOFF ELECTIONS FOR COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL OFFICERS. | Removes the 40%/20% for Municipal Run Off Elections |
| Municipal | Act 283 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPALITIES CHOOSING TO ELECT COUNCIL MEMBERS; AND TO REQUIRE FILING OF THE ORDINANCE DESCRIBING THE ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH THE COUNTY CLERK. | Requires a city to have on file an ordinance stating if they will elect city council members by Ward or At Large |
| Municipal | Act 523 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ELECTION, APPOINTMENT, AND CONTRACTING OF A MUNICIPAL ATTORNEY. | |
| Municipal | Act 834 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE REDUCTION OF A CITY OF THE FIRST CLASS TO A CITY OF THE SECOND CLASS. | Changes definition from 5,000 to 7,500 |
| FOIA/Meetings | Act 505 | TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND THE PROVISIONS OF THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967 CONCERNING PUBLIC MEETINGS | Election Commission Meetings fall under these changes/ Defines communication between administrators and members (Polls)/Defines procedures for attending remotely/3 day notification of meeting/If the CBEC has a website or social media page agenda and information must be posted 3 days before |
| SBEC | Act 279 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COMPLAINTS OF ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS; AND TO AMEND THE DEADLINES FOR COMPLAINTS OF ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS. | Clean up bill on deadlines |
| SBEC | Act 280 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ELECTION AUDITS; AND TO ALLOW THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS TO AUDIT A COUNTY IN THE PRECEDING ELECTION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. | SBEC will conduct an audit at the next Primary or General Election on any county that fails their first audit |
| SBEC | Act 281 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING APPROPRIATION FOR ELECTION EXPENSES; AND TO ALLOW COMPENSATION FOR A CERTIFIED ELECTION MONITOR AS AN ELECTION EXPENSE. | Allows the SBEC to pay for certain expenses for Election Monitors |
| Amendment | Approved by Governor | THE CITIZENS ONLY VOTING AMENDMENT. | Will appear on the 2026 General Election Ballot |
| Amendment | Approved by Governor | A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO AMEND ARKANSAS CONSTITUTION, ARTICLE 2, § 5, TO PROTECT THE RIGHT TO KEEP AND BEAR ARMS | Will appear on the 2026 General Election Ballot |
| Amendment | Approved by Governor | A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN THE STATE OF ARKANSAS; AND AUTHORIZING THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICTS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | Will appear on the 2026 General Election Ballot |
| State Wide Election | Act 578 | TO AUTHORIZE THE ARKANASAS NATURAL RESOURCES COMMISSION TO ISSUE GENERAL OBLIGATION BONDS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WATER, WASTE DISPOSAL, AND POLLUTION ABATEMENT PROJECTS | Will appear on the 2026 General Election Ballot |
| Candidates | Act 126 | TO ALLOW A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO IS SERVING IN THAT POSITION AS AN APPOINTEE TO USE THE TITLE OF THAT POSITION AS A PREFIX ON THE BALLOT. | This title will be included on the Political Practice Pledge |
| Candidates | Act 360 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE FILING PERIODS OF CERTAIN NONPARTISAN SCHOOL BOARD AND MUNICIPAL CANDIDATES. | Sets the start of filing for School and Municipal candidates at Noon on the first day of filing |
| Candidates | Act 456 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE OATH OF OFFICE. | Adds State and Federal Judicial Judges to the list of individuals who can give an oath of office |
| Candidates | Act 524 | TO REQUIRE CERTAIN CANDIDATES TO FILE REPORTS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE; TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Candidates | Act 715 | TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO IS AN APPOINTEE IN THAT POSITION TO USE THE TITLE OF THAT POSITION AS A PREFIX WHEN FILING AS A CANDIDATE. | Allows any person holding a Supreme Court or Court of Appeals position to include the title on the ballot |
| Candidates | Act 761 | TO ALLOW A PERSON FILING AS A CANDIDATE FOR THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE OF THE SUPREME COURT OR JUDGE OF THE COURT OF APPEALS WHO IS AN APPOINTEE IN THAT POSITION TO USE THE TITLE OF THAT POSITION AS A PREFIX WHEN FILING AS A CANDIDATE. | |
| Candidates | Act 994 | TO INCREASE TRANSPARENCY REGARDING CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS AND EXPENDITURES; TO AMEND CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTING AND PROTECT ELECTION INTEGRITY; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996. | |
| Candidates | Act 996 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING ALTERNATIVES TO ELECTRONIC FILING FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE REPORTS. | |
| Candidates | Act 998 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE; TO REQUIRE DISCLOSURE BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF A HOSTILE FOREIGN PRINCIPAL; AND TO AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1990. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 115 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSERS FOR LOCAL OPTION ELECTIONS; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING COMPENSATION OF PAID CANVASSERS FOR LOCAL OPTION ELECTIONS. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 153 | TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING INITIATIVES, REFERENDA, AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 154 | TO REQUIRE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO REVIEW BALLOT TITLES FOR CONFLICTS WITH THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND FEDERAL STATUTES; AND TO BAN SUBMISSION OF MULTIPLE INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 218 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS; TO REQUIRE A CANVASSER TO DISCLOSE THAT PETITION FRAUD IS A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 240 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS; TO VIEW A CANVASSER TO REQUEST PHOTO IDENTIFICATION BEFORE OBTAINING A SIGNATURE; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 241 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS; TO REQUIRE A CANVASSER TO SUBMIT AN AFFIDAVIT BEFORE SIGNATURES CAN BE COUNTED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 272 | TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS; AND TO REQUIRE PUBLIC POSTING OF STATEWIDE INITIATIVE PETITIONS AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 273 | TO DISQUALIFY SIGNATURES OBTAINED BY A CANVASSER UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 274 | TO REQUIRE THE SIGNER TO READ THE BALLOT TITLE OF THE PETITION IN THE PRESENCE OF A CANVASSER; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 453 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSERS; AND TO REQUIRE DOMICILE IN ARKANSAS. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 602 | TO REQUIRE BALLOT TITLES FOR INITIATED MEASURES TO BE AT OR UNDER A CERTAIN READING LEVEL; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 764 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING CANVASSING FOR A PETITION FOR A LOCAL OPTION ELECTION. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 768 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING LOCAL INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM PETITIONS. | |
| Initiatives, Referenda, Petitions | Act 999 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DISCLOSURE FOR MATTERS REFERRED TO VOTERS; AND TO BAN FOREIGN FUNDING FOR BALLOT MEASURES; TO AMEND PORTIONS OF THE ARKANSAS CODE THAT RESULTED FROM INITIATED ACT 1 OF 1996. | |
| Clean Up | Act 166 | TO MAKE TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO TITLE 7 OF THE ARKANSAS CODE CONCERNING ELECTIONS. | |
| Clean Up | Act 284 | TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE; AND TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO A WRITE-IN CANDIDATE. | Eliminate remaining Write-In references/ Write-In candidates are not allowed in any type of Election in Arkansas |
| County Specific | Act 160 |
TO SEPARATE THE OFFICES OF SHERIFF AND TAX COLLECTOR IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. | |
| County Specific | Act 220 | CONCERNING THE NINETEENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT-WEST; TO CREATE AN ADDITIONAL CIRCUIT JUDGESHIP; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | |
| County Specific | Act 24 | TO REQUIRE A LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNDER THE ANNUAL APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE FOR THE PREVIOUS YEAR UNTIL A NEW APPROPRIATION ORDINANCE IS ADOPTED; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. | This bill was created due to a county that did not pass a budget by the end of the year and could not pay county employees after January 1st |
| County Specific | Act 314 | TO REPEAL THE AUTHORITY FOR A MUNICIPALITY TO EXERCISE TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION OVER AN UNINCORPORATED AREA OF A COUNTY. | |
| County Specific | Act 985 | TO SEPARATE THE OFFICES OF SHERIFF AND TAX COLLECTOR IN PERRY COUNTY. |