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Arkansas · How-To Guide

How do I register to vote or check my registration?

County Clerk (county level) / Arkansas Secretary of State (state level)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Confirm eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen, Arkansas resident, at least 18 years old by Election Day, not a convicted felon with an undischarged sentence, and not adjudicated mentally incompetent
  2. Choose your registration method:
  3. ONLINE: Register at sos.arkansas.gov - requires Arkansas driver's license or state ID number
  4. BY MAIL: Download form at sos.arkansas.gov; complete and mail to your County Clerk - must be postmarked 30 days before Election Day; submit to county clerk or Secretary of State within 21 days of the application date
  5. IN PERSON: Visit your County Clerk's office, state agency offices, or the DMV
  6. Submit registration at least 30 days before Election Day
  7. Receive voter registration acknowledgment and card from your County Clerk (follow up if not received - submitting an application does NOT guarantee registration until you receive acknowledgment)
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Arkansas driver's license number or last 4 digits of Social Security number (for online registration)
  • If you have neither: check the box on the application indicating you don't have either
  • Photo ID required to vote in person (see State Notes)
Fee
Free REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 30 days before Election Day (online, by mail, or in person) CHECK YOUR REGISTRATION: voterview.org or sos.arkansas.gov EARLY VOTING: Yes - Arkansas offers early voting at county clerks' offices and other designated locations; typically begins 15 days before an election ABSENTEE VOTING: Limited - absentee ballot requires a qualifying excuse (illness, absence from county, disability, working as election official, military/overseas) - not available on demand ONLINE OPTION: Yes - sos.arkansas.gov WHERE TO GO: County Clerk's office (in person); DMV; many state agency offices
Online Option
Yes - sos.arkansas.gov
Where to Go
County Clerk's office (in person); DMV; many state agency offices
County-specific variations apply

Registration is administered at the county level by the County Clerk. Moving between Arkansas counties requires re-registration in the new county - submit updated registration to the new county clerk at least 4 days before an election to vote in your new county. Arkansas requires you to register where you actually reside - owning property or a business in a county does not establish residency there.

Arkansas Notes

Important state-specific details

  • IMPORTANT: Submitting a voter registration application does NOT guarantee registration - you must receive written acknowledgment from your County Clerk before considering yourself registered. Follow up if you don't receive a voter ID card within a few weeks.
  • Photo ID required to vote in Arkansas: driver's license, photo ID card, concealed handgun carry license, U.S. passport, military ID, employee/student badge from an accredited Arkansas institution, public assistance photo ID, or voter verification card. If no ID, provisional ballot option available with voter affirmation.
  • Arkansas does NOT have no-excuse absentee voting - a qualifying reason is required.
  • Early voting (in-person absentee): available at county clerks' offices approximately 15 days before an election; no excuse required.
  • Polls open 7:30 AM - 7:30 PM on Election Day.
  • Felony conviction: if sentence not yet discharged, you cannot vote; voting rights may be restored upon discharge of sentence.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
Arkansas Secretary of State, Elections Division - sos.arkansas.gov/elections | (501) 682-1010; voterview.org to check registration