ARKANSAS, USA — This November marks another presidential election year. Arkansans will also have the opportunity to vote on amendments, Congress members, and other local offices.
To vote on Election Day, Arkansas residents must register to vote by Oct. 7, 2024.
As of January 2024, the Arkansas House of Representatives said Arkansas is home to 1,738,711 registered voters. In Benton County, election officials are optimistic about this year's election.
"Benton County currently has a little over 189,000 registered voters," Election Administrator Dana Caler said. "Since Aug. 1, we've had 3,325 new registered voters ... I feel we're getting applications every day."
In the last Preferential Primary Election and Nonpartisan General Election in 2022, voter turnout was around 25%. In 2020, it was around 28%.
"It's crucial for every eligible citizen to recognize the power they hold within their vote," the House said.
Registration process
To register, Arkansans are required to fill out a paper Voter Registration Application. There isn't online voter registration in Arkansas.
Where can I get an application?
- Print a form from the Arkansas Secretary of State's website (both English and Spanish forms are available)
- Request an application on the Secretary of State's website (though it might not arrive on time)
- Or pick up from:
- Local county clerk
- Local revenue or DMV office
- Public library
- Disability agency
- Military recruitment office
Registration requirements
- Must be a U.S. citizen
- Must be an Arkansas resident
- Must be 18 or older
- Cannot be a convicted felon
- Cannot be "presently adjudged as mentally incompetent"
ID requirements
The application requires Arkansans to provide their driver's license number or the last four digits of their Social Security number on the application.
Search for your County Clerk's Office here:
If you're not sure about your registration status you can double check here. It's important to check, especially if you haven't cast a ballot in a while.
"After so many years of non-voting, it goes to inactive first, and that still gives you another two years to update it before it goes into a removable status," Caler said. "If it's been several years, several general elections, mainly your federals, it just puts it in removable. It doesn't remove your record. It just requires you to update it and let us know that you're still here."
After registration
Once the county clerk has processed the application, they will send a voter registration card, which could take several weeks. You can stay up-to-date on your voter registration status here. You can also call your county clerk for updates.
After you receive your voter registration card and are ready to vote, you will need a document to verify your identity. Accepted documents:
- Driver's license
- Photo ID card
- Concealed handgun carry license
- U.S. passport
- Student or employee ID from a postsecondary education institution in Arkansas
- U.S. military ID document
- Voter verification card
Watch 5NEWS on YouTube.
Download the 5NEWS app on your smartphone:
Stream 5NEWS 24/7 on the 5+ app: How to watch the 5+ app on your streaming device
To report a typo or grammatical error, please email KFSMDigitalTeam@tegna.com and detail which story you're referring to.