Elections
Arkansas 2026 Primary Election: Date, Rules & What to Know
The Arkansas 2026 congressional primary was held on March 3, 2026. General Election Day is November 3, 2026.
Live on Congress Countdown
See Arkansas's current congressional delegation
Term end dates, party breakdown, and which seats are on the November ballot.
Arkansas U.S. Senate Primary — Results
November nominees
These two face off on November 3, 2026 in a single-winner (majority runoff possible) contest.
General Election · November 3, 2026
What's on the Arkansas 2026 Ballot
U.S. House of Representatives
All U.S. House seats in Arkansas are on the 2026 ballot. Every House member runs for re-election every two years. View Arkansas representatives →
U.S. Senate — Class II Seat
Arkansas's Class II Senate seat is up for election in 2026. The current senator is Tom Cotton (R). Class II senators were last elected in 2020 and serve six-year terms.
Arkansas's Primary System: Partisan Open Primary
Arkansas holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
Runoff Election: Arkansas may hold a primary runoff on March 31, 2026. A runoff occurs when if no candidate wins a majority (50%+1). The top two candidates from the original primary face each other in the runoff.
Arkansas 2026 Election Key Dates
| March 3, 2026 | Primary Election (passed) |
| March 31, 2026 | Primary Runoff (passed) — if needed |
| October 2026 | Voter registration deadlines (check your state) |
| November 3, 2026 | General Election |
| January 3, 2027 | 120th Congress convenes |
Voter Registration in Arkansas
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day. Registration deadlines vary — most states require registration 15–30 days before the primary, though some offer same-day registration.
Check your registration status and find your polling place at vote.gov.
See All State Primary Dates
Compare Arkansas's primary to other states' 2026 schedules.
Sources
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Arkansas 2026 U.S. Senate primary?
Tom Cotton won the Republican nomination with 81.6% of the vote, and Hallie Shoffner won the Democratic nomination with 78.3%. They advance to the general election on November 3, 2026.
Who is running for U.S. Senate in Arkansas in November 2026?
The November 3, 2026 ballot features Tom Cotton (R) vs Hallie Shoffner (D) vs Jeff Wadlin (L) for Arkansas's U.S. Senate seat.
When is the Arkansas primary election in 2026?
The Arkansas 2026 congressional primary is March 3, 2026. If no candidate wins the required threshold, a runoff will be held on March 31, 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026.
Can I vote in the Arkansas primary if I'm not registered with a party?
Any registered voter may participate — no party registration required. You may choose which party's primary to vote in on Election Day.
What is on the Arkansas 2026 primary ballot?
All U.S. House seats in Arkansas are on the 2026 primary ballot. Additionally, the U.S. Senate seat (Class II) is up for election. The current senator is Tom Cotton (R). Many states also hold primaries for governor and state legislature on the same day.
What type of primary does Arkansas use?
Arkansas holds separate party primaries, but any registered voter may participate — you do not need to be registered with a party. On primary day, you simply request the ballot for the party whose primary you want to vote in.
When is the Arkansas voter registration deadline for the 2026 primary?
Voter registration deadlines vary but are typically 15–30 days before the primary. Check the Arkansas Secretary of State website or vote.gov for the exact deadline.
When is the Arkansas general election in 2026?
The 2026 general election is on Tuesday, November 3, 2026. This date is the same for all 50 states — it is always the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years.