FAQ: How do I vote in Fayetteville?
The information in this FAQ is specific to Fayetteville voting in Washington County, Arkansas. While much of this information is true statewide, there are some nuances, and voters should check the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office website or their own County Clerk’s Office to confirm details.
Voting in Arkansas is essentially a two-step process:
Register to vote
Vote:
Early In Person
Election Day In Person
Absentee Ballot
Who can register to vote?
According the Washington County Clerk’s Voter Registration Office, to register to vote in Arkansas, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen.
Be an Arkansas resident.
Be at least 18 years old on or before Election Day.
Meet Arkansas's voter eligibility requirements regarding felony convictions and court determinations of competency.
How do I register?
Arkansas does not currently have a statewide online voter registration system.
You can register by completing the official Arkansas voter registration application and submitting it to the Washington County Clerk. Applications are also available through the Arkansas Secretary of State's voter registration page.
What is the voter registration deadline?
Arkansas law requires voter registration applications to be submitted 30 days before an election.
For the November 3, 2026 General Election, the voter registration deadline is Monday, October 5, 2026. The Washington County Clerk's Office maintains an Election Dates & Deadlines page with a variety of important dates.
How do I check if I'm registered?
Before every election, it’s a good idea to verify your registration, polling place, and sample ballot through the official Arkansas VoterView system.
Checking your registration before Election Day helps avoid surprises if you've recently moved or changed your name.
What are my voting options in Fayetteville?
If you're registered to vote in Fayetteville, you have three ways to cast your ballot: early in-person voting, voting in person on Election Day, or voting absentee if you qualify.
Early In-Person Voting
Early voting allows you to vote before Election Day at designated early voting locations in Washington County.
For the November 3, 2026 General Election:
Early voting begins: Monday, October 19, 2026
Last day to vote early: Monday, November 2, 2026
Early voting locations and hours are published by the Washington County Clerk before each election.
Voting In Person on Election Day
If you prefer to vote on Election Day:
Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
Polls are open: 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Eligible Voters in Washington County can vote at any of the Vote Centers listed on the Election Commission’s Election Day Sites page.
You can also find sample ballots and Election Day updates on Arkansas VoterView or the Washington County Election Commission's Election Information page.
Absentee Voting
Arkansas law allows absentee voting for voters who qualify, including those who:
Will be unavoidably absent from their polling place on Election Day.
Are unable to vote in person because of illness or physical disability.
Are military members, eligible overseas voters, or otherwise qualify under Arkansas law.
For the November 3, 2026 General Election:
Last day to request a mailed absentee ballot: Tuesday, October 27, 2026
Absentee ballots returned in person or by designated bearer are due: Friday, October 30, 2026
Mailed absentee ballots must received by the County Clerk on Election Day: Tuesday, November 3, 2026
If you plan to mail your ballot, it is recommended that domestic non-military voters mail ballots at least 1 week early to allow for timely receipt and processing by election officials.
You can:
Download absentee ballot applications.
Review eligibility requirements.
Track the status of your absentee ballot through Arkansas VoterView.
Do I need a photo ID to vote in Arkansas?
Yes. Arkansas law requires voters casting a ballot in person to verify their identity with an approved form of photo identification.
What forms of ID are accepted?
You may use any of the following valid forms of photo identification:
Arkansas driver's license
Arkansas photo identification card
U.S. passport or passport card
U.S. military identification card
Arkansas concealed handgun carry license
Employee or student photo ID issued by an accredited Arkansas college or university
Public assistance identification card that includes your photograph
Arkansas Voter Verification Card (available free from your County Clerk if you do not have another qualifying ID)
What if I don't have a photo ID?
If you do not have one of the accepted forms of photo identification, you may obtain a free Arkansas Voter Verification Card from the Washington County Clerk's office.
What if I've moved or have questions?
If you've moved, need to update your address, or have questions about your voter registration, contact the Washington County Clerk's Office as soon as possible. Arkansas law also provides options for certain address changes during early voting and on Election Day.
Where can I find official election information?
For accurate, nonpartisan election information, rely on official government sources:
These resources provide the most current information about voter registration, early voting, absentee voting, polling places, and Election Day procedures.
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