Sanders Calls for Special Election to Fill Vacancy in Office for State Senator for District 1

TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS COME - GREETINGS:

A PROCLAMATION CALLING A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR THE PURPOSE OF FILLING A VACANCY IN OFFICE FOR STATE SENATOR FOR DISTRICT 1 AND SETTING ELECTION-RELATED DEADLINES, PURSUANT TO ARK. CODE ANN. § 7-7-105

WHEREAS: The Honorable Ben Gilmore, Arkansas State Senator representing District 1, resigned effective June 30, 2026;

WHEREAS: The resignation of Senator Gilmore has created a vacancy in office for State Senator for District 1 of the Arkansas General Assembly;

WHEREAS: Under Arkansas law, the Governor has the sole responsibility to issue writs of election and set the dates for special elections to fill vacancies in the General Assembly, see Ark. Const. Art. V. § 6; and

WHEREAS: In such circumstance, Ark. Code Ann. § 7-7-105 requires the special election to fill the vacancy, as well as other election-related deadlines and requirements, be set as soon as possible after vacancy occurs.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, Governor of Arkansas, do hereby proclaim, as follows:

1. A special election shall be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, for the purpose of filling the vacancy in office for State Senator for District 1.
2. A special primary election for all eligible political parties shall be held on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
3. If required, a special primary runoff election shall be held on Tuesday, September 15, 2026.
4. The period for filing for candidacy as a party candidate and the period for independent candidates for the special election, if any, to submit their notices of candidacy, political practices pledges, and affidavits of eligibility with the Secretary of State's Office commences at 12:00 noon on Monday, July 13, 2026, and ends at 12:00 noon on Thursday, July 16, 2026.
5. Certificates of nomination shall be issued by parties no later than 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, and candidates shall file the certificates of nomination by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
6. Independent candidates for the special election, if any, must submit petitions to the Office of the Secretary of State, in Little Rock, no later than 12:00 noon on Friday, August 7, 2026. Petitions in support of independent candidates may be circulated from Friday, July 17, 2026, through 12:00 noon on Friday, August 7, 2026. The number of signatures required on the petition shall be reduced proportionately pursuant to Ark. Code Ann. § 7-7-103(b)(5).
7. Drawing for ballot position for the special primary election shall occur on or before Tuesday, July 21, 2026.
8. Drawing for ballot position for the special election shall occur on or before Wednesday, September 23, 2026.
9. The results of the special primary election shall be certified by the county boards of election commissioners on or before Friday, August 28, 2026.
10. The results of the special primary runoff election, if any, shall be certified by the county boards of election commissioners on or before Monday, September 21, 2026.
11. The results of the special election shall be certified by the county boards of election commissioners on or before Wednesday, November 18, 2026.
12. All other deadlines and requirements not provided for in this proclamation shall be as provided for by the election laws of this State.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Arkansas to be affixed this 2nd day of July, in the year of our Lord 2026.

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