2026 Primary Election Races

I assembled this article as a tool for Benton County voters. The state legislature tightened up election laws in the 2023 and 2025 sessions. There are more reasons than ever to vote in a primary election.

You are voting for more than just president and governor on the ballots. You often have a number of down-ballot races to consider — that is, if there are challengers in those races. Some of those races will be decided in a primary so you definitely want to weigh in on candidates.

Thirty-four percent of Benton County voters only vote in general elections — those voters miss the opportunity to vote in some very important races.

Cast Your Vote in the March 3 Primary

Here are some reasons to vote in the primary:

• Your legislative officials at the federal, state, and county level begin their campaigns in the primaries. If your city voted to make their races partisan (brand new option for cities), those begin in the primary.
• In gubernatorial years, your top county official races begin on the primary ballot.
• Your school board races all happen in the gubernatorial and presidential election year primaries.
• Judicial races begin with and are often decided in the primaries.
• All seven state constitutional offices are on the ballot during a gubernatorial year: governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, treasurer, secretary of state, auditor, and commissioner of lands.

Changes to Note

The primary election is now permanently moved to the first Tuesday in March. It was moved temporarily to March for the last several presidential election years. The state legislature made it permanent in 2025.

The state legislature declined to close our primaries so they remain open. Open primaries allow any voter, regardless of political party preference, to vote on a Democrat, Republican, or Nonpartisan primary ballot. However, the Republican Party of Arkansas decided that they will not allow voters registered as Democratic party preference to vote in Republican primaries. Those registered as “optional” may still vote on Republican ballots.

Most people are registered as “optional”. Most people don’t pay much attention to their voter registration, especially if they haven’t moved recently. When I reviewed my voter list, I noticed a large number of voters who are still registered as “Democratic” even though they have consistently voted in Republican primaries for many years. Those voters will have to change that status before the vote to pull a Republican ballot.

So what to do? Check your voter registration. Make sure your political party preference in set to Optional or Republican if you plan to vote on a Republican ballot. You can change it on election day just like you would your address. Do it now, okay? Don’t wait and slow things down when you go to the polls. Click here to check your voter registration.

If you need to update your voter registration information, just stop in at the Benton County Clerk’s office. That way, you know it will be done right. Even if you updated it at the Department of Motor Vehicles, check it. I’ve seen many mistakes made with the Motor Voter process — even registering non-citizens to vote. Ugh. Motor Voter registration must end but that process has to be handled by the federal government.

When does voting begin?

Early voting for the March 3 primary begins February 16. Absentee ballots could be mailed out as soon as late January. If you are traveling or will be unable to get to a polling location in person for a reason such as illness or travel, call the Benton County Clerk.

Races on Benton County Ballots

Here is what Benton County voters will have on their March 3 primary ballots. I will note who votes on the race below.

Republican Ballots Only

Democratic Ballots Only

Nonpartisan Races That Appear on Democratic, Republican, and Nonpartisan Ballots