UACES Facebook Arkansans Have Local Ballot Issues to Decide in November
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Arkansans Have Local Ballot Issues to Decide in November

by Kristin Higgins - October 14, 2024

Depending on the community you live in, you may see a local ballot issue when you go vote Nov. 5.

Special elections, such as sales taxes, bond issues, or wet/dry alcohol elections, can now take place only twice a year under state law. In a presidential-election year, special elections are allowed the second Tuesday in March or November.

In non-presidential election years, cities and counties can hold special elections on the second Tuesday of May or November. But they would have to pay for these elections since there would be no statewide election taking place.

Check out our list below for ballot titles of local special elections.

Info to Know - School Property Taxes and Ballot Placement

Did you know?

  • Local ballot issues appear at the bottom of your ballot. After the candidates. After the statewide ballot issues.

  • The Arkansas Constitution (Article 14, Section 3) requires school districts to put their millage rate (or property tax rate) on the ballot every year. Regardless of whether they're seeking an increase.

  • If your school district isn't seeking an increase, this means vote cast for or against the measure won't be counted. Even if the tax fails, the tax rate won't change.

Do you see a school property tax on your sample ballot? If so, look at the last sentence on the ballot. This is your clue. 

If your ballot says "represents the same rate presently being collected," this means no votes will be counted.

If your ballot says the levy represents an increase, then votes will be counted.

Contact your county clerk's office if you have additional questions about this oddity of Arkansas law.

Public Policy Center Fact Sheets

We researched and wrote fact sheets for three local ballot issues. These were produced at the request of our local extension offices. 

Other Local Elections We Know About

There is no state database of local ballot issue elections. Over the years we have tried to build a database of past local elections and are still working on that project.

In the mean time, we came across a website built by Arkansas volunteers that lists some local elections. Check out https://www.arvotes.org/issues. The website lists ballot titles for local elections for these communities, with topics including sales taxes, mayor recalls, alcohol sales, and more:

  • Cities
    Alpena, Carlisle, Chester, Cotter, Dermott, DeWitt, England, Eureka Springs, Greenway, Hickory Ridge, Highfill, Holiday Island, Humnoke, Norfork, Parkin, Portland, Pyatt, Rosston, Russellville, Siloam Springs, Tillar, Wilmar, and Wynne

  • Counties
    Nevada

  • Fire Districts
    Hickory Creek Volunteer Fire, Pleasure Heights Volunteer Fire

There are likely more local ballot issues taking place next month in Arkansas than listed above.

For example, in Pulaski County, we know there are elections in Cammack Village, Little Rock, and Sherwood. (See election website for sample ballot).

In Washington County, the election commission lists special elections for Cane Hill, Fayetteville, Goshen, Greenland, as well as Tontitown. 

In Craighead County, there is an election regarding the library property tax in Jonesboro.

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