Early voting starts Tuesday in two special legislative elections in Arkansas, following legal challenges over their timing. Voters in Senate District 26 and House District 70 can cast ballots ahead of Jan. 6 primaries, with general elections set for March 3.
The Senate District 26 seat opened after Republican Gary Stubblefield of Branch died, while House District 70 became vacant when Republican Carlton Wing of North Little Rock resigned to lead Arkansas PBS. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders initially set the Senate election for Nov. 3, 2026, but moved it to June 9 after bipartisan criticism. Lawmakers in Stubblefield’s district are expected to debate funding for a controversial Franklin County prison, which all candidates oppose.
In House District 70, Democrats Alex Holladay and Cordelia Smith-Johnson face off in the Jan. 6 primary, with the winner challenging Republican Bo Renshaw in March. Senate District 26’s Republican primary features Mark Berry, Wade Dunn, Brad Simon, Stacie Smith and Ted Tritt. If no candidate wins a majority, a Feb. 3 runoff will determine the top Republican, who will face Independent Adam Watson in March.
Voters must have been registered by Dec. 8 to participate in the primaries. Early voting will be available Dec. 30-31, Jan. 2 and Jan. 5, with locations and hours varying by county. Pulaski County voters in House District 70 can vote at the Pulaski County Regional Building in Little Rock or First Christian Church of Sherwood. Senate District 26 early voting locations include sites in Franklin, Johnson, Logan and Sebastian counties, with times generally from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. depending on the county.
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