Voter Resources
Benton County, Arkansas
Everything Benton County Republicans need to vote in 2026—registration, voter ID, early voting, absentee ballots, and a full breakdown of what’s on the ballot.
2026 Election Key Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Preferential Primary | March 3, 2026 |
| Primary Runoff | March 31, 2026 |
| Citizen-Initiated Measure Signature Deadline | July 3, 2026 |
| General Election Voter Registration Deadline | October 5, 2026 |
| General Election Early Voting Begins | October 19, 2026 |
| General Election Day | November 3, 2026 |
| General Runoff Election (if necessary) | December 1, 2026 |
⚠️ All future dates should be verified against the official 2026 Arkansas Election Calendar (PDF) as they approach.
Voter Registration
Arkansas does NOT offer online voter registration.
Registration requires a paper application submitted by mail, in person, or at qualifying state agencies.
You must be a U.S. citizen, an Arkansas resident, at least 18 years old on Election Day, not a convicted felon whose sentence has not been discharged or pardoned, and not adjudged mentally incompetent by a court.
By Mail
Download the application from the SOS website, complete it, and mail to the County Clerk. The postmark date counts as the submission date.
In Person
Visit the Benton County Clerk’s office, a DMV/revenue office, public library, disability agency, or military recruitment office.
By Phone
Call the Arkansas SOS Elections Division at (800) 482-1127 to request a form be mailed to you.
⚠️ Registration Deadline
You must register 30 days before any election in which you wish to vote.
For November 3, 2026: Deadline is October 5, 2026
Arkansas does not have same-day voter registration. The 30-day deadline is firm.
2026 Republican Primary Rule Change
Beginning in 2026, the Republican Party of Arkansas prohibits voters registered as Democrats from voting in Republican primaries. Voters registered as "Optional" (unaffiliated—roughly 87% of Arkansas voters) or with any non-Democratic affiliation may vote in Republican primaries. You can change your party affiliation by contacting your county clerk before the election, or at the polls on Election Day.
Benton County Clerk—Voter Registration Office
Main Office
215 E. Central Ave., Suite 217
Bentonville, AR 72712
Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
County Clerk: Betsy Harrell (R)
Branch Locations
Rogers: 2111 W. Walnut St.—(479) 636-3727
Siloam Springs: 707 S. Lincoln St., Suite C
Voter ID Requirements
Arkansas law requires every voter to present photo ID.
This is established by Amendment 51, § 13 of the Arkansas Constitution, approved by voters in 2018.
Accepted Forms of Photo ID
ID must show your name and photograph. If an expiration date is displayed, the ID must be expired no more than four years before Election Day.
Free Voter ID Available
Any registered voter without a valid photo ID can obtain a free Voter Verification Card from the Benton County Clerk’s office. Sign an affidavit and provide documents showing your name, date of birth, and current address. Call (479) 271-1013.
No ID? Provisional Ballot
Any voter who cannot present ID may cast a provisional ballot. It will be counted if you provide a sworn statement on-site, or return with proper ID by 12:00 noon on the Monday following the election.
Absentee voters: Include a copy of your photo ID with your returned absentee ballot. If you cannot provide a copy, sign the additional affirmation boxes on the voter statement included with your ballot.
Early Voting
Arkansas has no-excuse early voting—no reason required.
Any registered voter may vote early. Hours and duration differ depending on the type of election.
Primary & General Elections—Early Voting
Early voting runs for 15 days before Election Day, with extended hours (Ark. Code § 7-5-418(a)(1)):
Monday – Friday
8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Early voting ends at 5:00 PM on the Monday before Election Day. Not available on state or county holidays.
Runoff Elections—Different Rules Apply
Runoff elections follow a separate, more limited early voting statute (Ark. Code § 7-5-418(a)(2)):
- Early voting runs for 7 days only (not 15)
- Hours are regular county clerk office hours—typically Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:30 PM
- No Saturday early voting is required for runoffs
- Early voting ends the day before Election Day at regular closing time
Election Day polling hours are 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM for all elections.
2026 Early Voting Dates
| Election | Election Day | Early Voting Period |
|---|---|---|
| Preferential Primary | March 3, 2026 | Feb. 16 – March 2 ✓ |
| Primary Runoff | March 31, 2026 | March 24 – 30 ✓ |
| General Election | November 3, 2026 | Oct. 19 – Nov. 2, 2026 |
| General Runoff (if necessary) | December 1, 2026 | Nov. 24 – 30, 2026 |
Benton County Early Voting Locations
Benton County operates approximately 15 early voting centers across the county during major elections, including sites in Bella Vista, Bentonville, Centerton, Garfield, Gravette, Rogers, Siloam Springs, and other communities.
⚠️ Specific locations for the November 2026 general election have not yet been announced. Check the official list as it approaches the election:
Absentee Voting
Absentee voting requires a qualifying reason—it is not available to all voters.
Unlike early voting, you must meet one of the criteria below. If you can vote in person or at an early voting site, that is the preferred method.
Who Qualifies for an Absentee Ballot?
- You will be unavoidably absent from your polling site on Election Day
- You will be unable to attend due to illness or physical disability
- You are a member of the uniformed services or merchant marines, or a spouse/dependent stationed away from your polling location
- You are a U.S. citizen residing in Arkansas but temporarily living outside the United States
- You are a resident of a licensed long-term care or residential care facility
- Your religious observance prevents you from attending the polls during the entire 12-hour polling period
2025 law changes: Act 846 of 2025 requires voters claiming "unavoidable absence" to have a witness age 18 or older present when they sign their voter statement. Separately, Act 593 of 2025 requires anyone who accompanies or assists a voter at the polls on Election Day to be at least 18 years old, show photo ID, and sign paperwork.
Application Deadlines
| Method | Deadline |
|---|---|
| In person / by bearer | Friday before Election Day (close of business) |
| By mail or electronic | 7 days before Election Day |
| By authorized agent | 1:30 PM on Election Day |
Return Deadlines
| Method | Deadline |
|---|---|
| In person / by bearer | Friday before Election Day (close of business) |
| By mail | Received by 7:30 PM on Election Day |
| Military/overseas (UOCAVA) | 5:00 PM, 10 days after the election |
Find Your Polling Place, Sample Ballot & Registration Status
Official Arkansas Voter Portal
VoterView
One tool for all three: check your registration, find your Election Day polling place, and view your personalized sample ballot (available 20 days before each election).
Go to www.voterview.ar-nova.orgCheck Registration
Enter your first name, last name, and date of birth to confirm your status, address, and district information.
Find Polling Place
Search by address or name to find your assigned Election Day polling place. On Election Day, Benton County uses approximately 37 vote centers.
Sample Ballot
View your personalized ballot showing only the races you are eligible to vote on. Available approximately 20 days before each election. Also at bentoncountyar.gov/vote/sample-ballot/.
What’s on the 2026 Ballot in Benton County
2026 is a major election year for Arkansas. All seven statewide constitutional offices, a U.S. Senate seat, all four U.S. House seats, all 100 state House seats, 17 of 35 state Senate seats, all major county offices, and at least four statewide ballot measures will appear on the November 3, 2026 ballot. For a full breakdown of every race with candidates and primary results, see our 2026 Benton County Voter Guide.
Federal Offices
U.S. Senate—Class II Seat
Tom Cotton (R)—Seeking Re-election
Cotton won the Republican primary March 3. General election: Cotton (R) vs. Hallie Shoffner (D) vs. Jeff Wadlin (L).
U.S. House—Arkansas 3rd Congressional District
Steve Womack (R)—Seeking 9th Term
Benton County falls entirely in AR-3 (Northwest Arkansas and Fort Smith). General election: Womack (R) vs. Robb Ryerse (D) vs. Bobby Wilson (L) vs. Christopher Hocevar (I).
Statewide Constitutional Offices
| Office | 2026 General Election Candidates |
|---|---|
| Governor | Sarah Huckabee Sanders (R) vs. Fredrick Love (D) vs. Colt Shelby (L) |
| Lt. Governor | Leslie Rutledge (R) vs. Michael Kalagias (L) |
| Attorney General | Tim Griffin (R)—currently unopposed in general |
| Secretary of State | Kim Hammer (R) vs. Kelly Grappe (D) vs. Michael Pakko (L) |
| Treasurer | John Thurston (R)—unopposed |
| Auditor | Dennis Milligan (R)—unopposed |
| Commissioner of State Lands | Cole Jester (R) vs. Christopher Olson (L) |
State Legislature
Arkansas State Senate
17 of 35 Senate seats are on the 2026 ballot (Arkansas uses a staggered system; the other 18 seats were elected in 2024). Benton County’s four primary Senate districts are 32, 33, 34, and 35—all held by Republicans. Small portions of the county may also fall within Districts 28 and 31. See our State Senate page or use VoterView to confirm your district and whether your senator is on this year’s ballot.
Arkansas State House
All 100 House seats are on the ballot. Benton County includes at least eight primary House districts, with several additional districts overlapping county borders—all represented by Republicans. See our State House page or use VoterView to find your specific district.
Benton County Offices
All major Benton County offices are on the 2026 ballot. County officials serve four-year terms. Offices on the ballot include County Judge, Sheriff, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Tax Assessor, Tax Collector, County Treasurer, County Coroner, all 15 Justice of the Peace districts, Constables, and Circuit Court judicial races (nonpartisan, District 19 West). See our Government pages for details on each office.
Statewide Ballot Measures
Right to Keep and Bear Arms Amendment
Would establish the right to keep and bear arms—including ammunition and accessories—as a "natural, fundamental, and individual right that shall not be infringed." Legislatively referred constitutional amendment.
Citizenship Requirement for Voting Amendment
Would constitutionally provide that "only a citizen of the United States" may vote in state or local elections. Legislatively referred constitutional amendment.
Economic Development Districts Amendment
Would allow the legislature to create Economic Development Districts and authorize public loans/grants for economic development. Legislatively referred constitutional amendment.
Arkansas Natural Resources Commission Bond Measure
Would authorize up to $500 million in general obligation bonds for water-related infrastructure projects. Legislatively referred bond measure.
⚠️ Additional citizen-initiated measures may qualify by July 3, 2026. Check sos.arkansas.gov/elections/initiatives-and-referenda/ for updates.
Election Contacts
Benton County Election Commission
Address: 1428 W. Walnut St., Rogers, AR 72756
Phone: (479) 271-1049
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Benton County Clerk
Address: 215 E. Central Ave., Suite 217, Bentonville, AR 72712
Phone: (479) 271-1013
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Mon–Fri, 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
County Clerk: Betsy Harrell (R)
Essential Voter Links
Ready to Make Your Voice Heard?
Check your registration today and make a plan to vote November 3, 2026.
Paid for by the Republican Party of Benton County. Not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.