The new year has barely begun, but the 2026 campaign season is well underway. This month’s special primaries for a pair of legislative seats kicked off the year’s elections, and more key dates for voters are on the way.

As we get closer to the March 3rd primary in Arkansas and the general election in November, here are the key dates for you to remember.

Debate over Gov. Sarah Sander's proposed prison is casting a shadow on this spring's election, with a special election Tuesday in the Senate district where the project is planned.

BENTONVILLE -- A Rogers woman was sentenced this week to five years in prison for illegally voting in the 2024 election. Cecilia Castellanos, 59, pleaded guilty Tuesday to perjury and violation of voter eligibility. The plea was under an agreement Adam Rose, Castellanos' attorney, reached with Justin Harper, deputy prosecutor.

Primary season for the 2026 Senate and House elections kicks off on March 3 and concludes 196 days later in Delaware.

In order to win, a candidate needs more than 50% of the votes. The winner of the Republican special primary will face an independent challenger during the March 3, 2026, special general election. A major issue in Senate District 26 is a proposed 3,000-bed prison planned for Franklin County.

Arkansas lawmakers are preparing to implement new rules that more clearly define what authorized poll watchers can—and cannot—do inside polling places.

Source: Election results and race calls are from The Associated Press. By The New York Times election results team: Michael Andre, Matthew Bloch, Lily Boyce, Irineo Cabreros, Nico Chilla, Nate Cohn, Annie Daniel,

Both candidates running for House District 70 said they are facing quite the challenge when it comes to educating voters about the anomaly of their race.

The Democratic Party's special primary election for Arkansas House District 70 is being held on Tuesday, with Alex Holladay and Cordelia Smith-Johnson competing for the Democratic ballot slot, and the winner facing Republican candidate Bon Renshaw in the special general election on March 3.

Alex Holladay won the Democratic primary for the District 70 House seat with 79.3% of the vote, while Wade Dunn and Brad Simon will face off in a runoff for the Senate District 26 seat on February