An Arkansas judge said Tuesday he expects to rule soon on a petition seeking to move up the special election to fill the vacant House District 70 seat.
Pulaski County Circuit Judge Shawn Johnson said he plans to decide as early as Wednesday after hearing arguments from the Democratic Party of Arkansas, which filed the petition last week. The party is asking the court to require Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to set an earlier election date, arguing the governor’s current timeline violates voters’ constitutional rights.
Sanders scheduled the special primary for March 3 and the general election for June 9, the same dates as the special election in Senate District 26. The plaintiffs contend that timeline would leave District 70 without representation during the 2026 fiscal session, which begins April 8.
Attorneys for Sanders and Secretary of State Cole Jester argued that the governor acted within her discretion to determine the earliest “practicable” date for the election, while plaintiffs maintain that discretion expires after 150 days from the vacancy.
Former Rep. Carlton Wing resigned Sept. 30 to become the executive director and CEO of Arkansas PBS.
Johnson said he would issue a ruling “very quickly in honor of the right to vote,” likely by the end of the week.
For original reporting from Arkansas Advocate, click here.
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