Arkansas Voters to Decide General Assembly Seats in November
The 2026 general election will determine the composition of the Arkansas State Senate and House of Representatives.
Updated on Oct. 22, 2026 in Elections
Live Poll
Do you believe a single party holding a legislative supermajority is good for your state?
Arkansas voters will head to the polls in November 2026 to cast ballots for all 100 State House seats and 17 seats in the State Senate. These elections follow several resignations and require special elections to fill vacant positions.
Why it matters
The outcome of these legislative races is critical for determining which party holds the supermajorities necessary to pass state budget bills. Vacancies created by recent resignations have necessitated special elections to ensure full representation in both chambers.
Republicans currently hold 49 uncontested seats in the State House, while 12 Senate districts feature only one candidate. A three-fourths majority in the legislature is required to pass state budget bills.
The players
Ben Gilmore
He is a former member of the Arkansas State Senate who resigned his seat.
Jonathan Dismang
He is a former member of the Arkansas State Senate who resigned his seat.
Austin McCollum
He is a former member of the Arkansas State House who resigned following an arrest for assault and battery.
Brian Armas
He is a candidate running unopposed for the House District 8 seat.
The details
Special elections are required for Senate District 1 and Senate District 18 to fill terms left vacant by the resignations of Ben Gilmore and Jonathan Dismang. Additionally, Austin McCollum resigned from his State House seat in August following an arrest for assault and battery.
Timeline
Austin McCollum resigned from the State House in August 2026.
General elections for State Senate and House seats occur in November 2026.
A special primary for Senate District 18 is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
A special election for Senate District 18 takes place Jan. 5, 2027.
Brian Armas is set to take office in January 2027.
Political Context
Legislative control is defined by the ability to reach the three-fourths supermajority threshold required to pass budget bills. The opposition party faces a challenge in reclaiming these seats from a Republican majority projected to retain control of both chambers.
Citizens will see changes in their legislative representation that directly dictate state spending and budget priorities. These outcomes determine which officials hold the power to pass laws and allocate funding for local services.
The takeaway
Voters should review their specific district ballots to understand which legislative seats remain contested. Keeping track of special election dates is essential for residents living in districts affected by recent resignations.
What happens next
A special primary for Senate District 18 is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026, followed by a special general election for the seat on Jan. 5, 2027.
Further reading
For more information on the upcoming races, visit the Arkansas Elections page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KHBS.
Live Poll
Do you believe a single party holding a legislative supermajority is good for your state?
