8 Things to Know Before Running for Local Office
September 27, 2023
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JoinRun for Secretary of State in Arkansas
Election Date: Nov 3, 2026Filing Deadline: May 1, 2026
Election Details
- Office level: state
- Length of term: 4 years
- Commitment level: Full Time
- Affiliation: partisan
- Typical salary: $96,918/year
- Is this a runoff election? No
- Is this a primary election? No
- Filing period: Jan 31, 2026 - May 1, 2026
- Positions: Arkansas State Supreme Court Chief JusticeArkansas TreasurerArkansas AuditorArkansas Secretary of StatePresident of the United States...
Job description
The duties of the position are generally administrative in nature, and no two states have identical responsibilities delegated to the secretary of state. Many are tasked with keeping state records, from registering businesses to recording the official acts of the governor. The officeholder also often serves as the chief election official in their state, administering state elections and maintaining official election results. The commissioning and regulation of notaries public, keeping of the official state seal and certification of official documents all typically fall under the purview of the secretary of state
Eligibility requirements
Must be a qualified elector, a U.S. Citizen, an Arkansas resident, at least 18 years old, lawfully registered to vote, must not hold any other office, must never have been convicted of embezzelment of public money, bribery, forgery, or other infamous crimes
Filing instructions
Filing office address: Arkansas Secretary of State: 500 Woodlane Street, Suite 256, Little Rock, AR 72201
Filing phone number: 501-682-5070
Paperwork instructions: Submit paperwork to the Secretary of State's office.
Filing requirements: Filing fee is $1,500 (Democrat), $12,500 (Republican), $0 (independent); signature requirement of the lesser of 10,000 qualified signatures or 3% of voters in the last gubernatorial election in which the candidate is seeking office for independant candidates only.
FAQ
How often is Secretary of State elected?
The position of Secretary of State is typically elected every 4 years.
What does it mean for an election to be partisan?
Partisan elections require candidates to declare a party affiliation, like Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or Independent.
What are the filing requirements to get on the ballot in Arkansas?
Filing fee is $1,500 (Democrat), $12,500 (Republican), $0 (independent); signature requirement of the lesser of 10,000 qualified signatures or 3% of voters in the last gubernatorial election in which the candidate is seeking office for independant candidates only.
Where do I submit my candidate paperwork?
Submit paperwork to the Secretary of State's office.
Where is the filing office?
Arkansas Secretary of State: 500 Woodlane Street, Suite 256, Little Rock, AR 72201.
How can I get in touch with the filing office?
You can contact the filing office by calling 501-682-5070.
How do I get started running for Secretary of State?
You can start running for Secretary of State by checking to ensure you meet all filing deadlines and requirements. Next, you can prepare to file for office and start planning your campaign strategy. Get in touch with our team of campaign experts for help with any step of the campaign process!
Is there a primary or runoff election for this office?
The next election for Secretary of State does not include a primary or runoff election.
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