Board Elections

To run for school board, visit your county clerk’s office to request a packet of material about running for office.

School board candidates circulate petitions to gather signatures of at least twenty (20) qualified residents of the district (and electoral zone if school board members are elected from zones). Petition timelines are listed below.
Candidate petitions and filing dates are available on the Secretary of State’s website.
In accordance with Act 305 of 2023, write-in candidacy is no longer an option for individuals who are interested in running for school board.
Candidates are required to make specific, timely financial filings. Information about those requirements can be found on the Arkansas Ethics Commission website.
The ASBA Board Candidates page contains specific information on candidate qualifications.

For Districts Whose Local Policy Calls For Spring Elections -

For elections held during odd years:

For elections held during even years concurrent with the presidential election:

Candidates may begin circulating petitions ninety (90) days prior to the second Monday in November.
Candidate filing period opens the first Monday in November and closes the second Monday in November.
Election Day is the first Tuesday after the first Monday in March.

For elections held during even years concurrent with the Arkansas governor election:

For Districts Whose Local Policy Calls For Fall Elections -

For elections held during odd and even years:

Candidates may begin circulating petitions one hundred eighty (180) days prior to the date of the election.
Candidate filing period begins ninety-seven (97) days before the election and closes ninety (90) days before the election.

Election Day is

Second Tuesday in November for elections held in odd years; OR
First Tuesday after the first Monday in November for elections held in even years

Runoffs, if needed, are held four (4) weeks after the election.

Additional Resources:

Arkansas School Boards Association