Your 2026 Northwest Arkansas voter guide
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It's midterm election season, and voters can cast their ballots as early as Monday.
How it works: All Northwest Arkansas voters will see the same federal and state choices on their ballot, but where you live will determine your ballot options for local races and who represents you in the state Legislature.
- Check your ballot and polling places on the Arkansas Secretary of State's website. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Caveat: We've only included contested races. Unopposed candidates are not listed.
Federal
U.S. Senate
Republican U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton is running for a third term and is being challenged by Democrat Hallie Shoffner, a farmer from northeast Arkansas, and Libertarian Jeff Wadlin, an engineer who lives in Bentonville.
U.S. House
Republican Rep. Steve Womack is also running for reelection to represent the 3rd Congressional District that includes Northwest Arkansas and stretches down to the River Valley.
Democrat Robb Ryerse and Libertarian Bobby Wilson are running against him.
Statewide offices
Governor
Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running for a second term and is challenged by Democratic state Sen. Fred Love and Libertarian Colt Shelby.
Lieutenant Governor
Republican Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge is running for reelection. Libertarian Michael Kalagias is running against her.
Secretary of State
Democrat Kelly Grappe, Republican State Sen. Kim Hammer and Libertarian Michael Pakko are competing for the office.
Commissioner of State Lands
Republican Secretary of State Cole Jester and Libertarian Christopher Olson are on the ballot.
Statewide ballot issues
Issue 1 is a constitutional amendment to ensure noncitizens cannot vote.
Issue 2 is a constitutional amendment to broaden language concerning the right to bear arms.
Issue 3 would allow the General Assembly to create economic development districts within cities, counties or cooperative areas to promote economic development.
Issue 4 would allow the state General Assembly to issue up to $500 million in bonds for managing water, waste and pollution.
Read our full guide on statewide ballot issues.
State House of Representatives
District 10 — parts of Bella Vista and north Bentonville
District 11 — parts of Springdale and Lowell
District 13 — parts of Bentonville, Rogers and Cave Springs
District 14 — most of Centerton plus parts of Bentonville and Highfill
- Republican incumbent Nick Burkes vs. Democrat Timothy Heron Jr.
District 15 — part of Rogers
District 16 — parts of Springdale, Rogers, Lowell, Cave Springs, Elm Springs and Highfill
- Republican incumbent Kendon Underwood vs. Democrat Letisha Hinds
District 19 — parts of Fayetteville, Springdale and Johnson
- Republican incumbent Steve Unger vs. Democrat Jamie Atkinson
District 24 — southwest Washington County, stretching down into Crawford County
- Republican Charlene Fite vs. Democrat Ryan Intchauspe
District 25 — part of Fayetteville, Elkins, Goshen and Winslow, stretching into Crawford County
- Republican incumbent Chad Puryear vs. Democrat Courtney King
Special election: Voters in District 8, which includes Pea Ridge and parts of Bentonville and Rogers, will decide between Republican Kara Armas and Democrat Parker Stohlton to fill the seat left vacant by Austin McCollum's resignation. The term expires in January.
Benton County
Voters will decide seven contested justice of the peace races. Justices of the peace serve on the county's governing body, the Quorum Court.
District 2 — Republican Candice Bright vs. Democrat Angelina White
District 3 — Republican Carlos Chicas vs. Democrat Stephanie Guzman-Zamarron
District 5 — Democrat Steven Baker vs. Republican Luke Heffron
District 8 — Republican incumbent Joel Jones vs. Democrat Cassie Murray
District 11 — Republican incumbent Dustin Todd vs. Libertarian Cody Martin
District 13 — Democrat Meleah Gretzmier vs. Republican John Matar
District 15 — Republican Robby Asbery, independent Mike Davis and Libertarian Brian Leach
Washington County
Washington County Judge
Democrat Dana Deree, a former Navy officer, high school teacher, diplomat and Marine Corps veteran, and Republican Tim Shepard, a retired Fayetteville police captain, are running for chief executive office of the county.
Voters will also decide nine contested justice of the peace races.
District 1 — Republican incumbent Bradley Bruns vs. Democrat Lou Reed Sharp
District 2 — Republican incumbent David Wilson vs. Democrat Faith Laukon
District 4 — Democratic incumbent Vladimir Rivera Lopez vs. Republican Bill Ussery
District 5 — Republican incumbent Kyle Lyons vs. Democrat Stephanie Shufelt
District 6 — Republican incumbent Lisa Ecke vs. Democrat Lowell Taylor
District 7 — Republican incumbent Charles Dean Jr. vs. Democrat AnneDella Hines
District 10 — Republican incumbent Robert Dennis vs. Democrat Farmington City Council Member Diane Bryant
District 14 — Republican incumbent Gary Ricker vs. Democrat Jimm Garlock
District 15 — Republican incumbent Butch Pond, Democrat Ashley Harvey and independent Pat Flippo
Mayoral races
Bella Vista — Mayor John Flynn is running for reelection and is challenged by City Council Member Wendy Hughes and Benjamin Hunt.
Centerton — City Council Member Wendy Henson vs. City Council Member Cliff Thompson
Lowell — Mayor Chris Moore vs. Bill Adams
Farmington — Jeff Oxford vs. Michelle Tabor
Greenland — Mayor Jim Renfrow vs. Robin Michael Beach
Elm Springs — Ira Coker, Mark Farmer and Roberta Peters
Decatur — Mayor David Johnson, City Council Member Cody Tosta and City Council Member Guy Wakefield
Gravette — Mayor Kurt Maddox, Dale Ayres and Matt Croxdale
Gateway — Shane Gordon vs. Cheryl Tillman
Avoca — Alderperson Jeannie Smith Rollins vs. Robert Whitehorn
Local ballot issues
Rogers
- Voters will decide on a $457 million bond issue to pay for a range of projects spanning the city's street, parks and recreation, police, fire and animal services departments and continuing a 1% sales tax to pay for them.
- Read our story about what the city plans to do with the money..
Siloam Springs
- Voters will consider a 0.625% sales tax to pay for $55 million in wastewater improvements. Read more.
Little Flock
- A 1% sales tax for general operational purposes is on the ballot.
West Fork
- The city is asking voters to consider expanding the city's boundaries north and along Interstate 49. Read more.
- Voters will also consider allowing the manufacture and sale of alcohol.
Winslow
- This town's voters have an alcohol manufacture and sale question on the ballot.
Northeast Benton County Emergency Medical Service District
- Those in the district have the option to increase the annual service fee by 4% per year for 10 years beginning Jan. 1 for each household within the district. The current fee is $100 per household.
Northeast Benton County Volunteer Fire Department
- If the levy of the volunteer fire department dues is approved, the dues will be listed annually on property tax statements and collected at the same time.
- The dues would range from $84 to $244 per residence or business and would increase by 4% a year for 10 years beginning Jan. 1.