Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has called a special election to fill the vacancy in the Arkansas State Senate District 18 seat following the resignation of Senator Jonathan Dismang.
Dismang, a Republican from Searcy, resigned from the Arkansas Senate on September 15, 2026. He previously served in both the Arkansas House of Representatives and the State Senate, including as Senate President Pro Tempore. The Arkansas Legislature lists Dismang as representing Senate District 18, which includes portions of Cleburne and Faulkner counties and all or portions of White County. (Arkansas State Legislature)
Under the proclamation issued by Governor Sanders, the special election will be held Tuesday, January 5, 2027.
A special primary election for eligible political parties will be held Tuesday, November 3, 2026. If necessary, a special primary runoff election will be held Tuesday, December 1, 2026.
Candidates may file for the special election beginning at 12 noon Monday, September 21, 2026. The filing deadline is 12 noon Thursday, September 24, 2026.
Independent candidates may circulate petitions beginning Monday, September 28, 2026. Petitions must be submitted to the Arkansas Secretary of State’s Office in Little Rock by 12 noon Thursday, October 1, 2026.
The results of the special primary election must be certified by county boards of election commissioners by Friday, November 13, 2026.
If a runoff election is required, those results must be certified by Monday, December 7, 2026.
Certificates of nomination must be issued by political parties by 12 noon Tuesday, December 8, 2026. Candidates must file those certificates by 5 p.m. that same day.
The ballot-position drawing for the special election must take place on or before Wednesday, December 9, 2026.
The results of the special election must be certified by county boards of election commissioners by Friday, January 15, 2027.
The governor’s proclamation states that all other election deadlines and requirements will follow Arkansas election law.
The special election will determine who completes the remainder of the term representing Arkansas Senate District 18.
Important Correction
The proclamation text identifies the vacancy as Arkansas State Senate District 18. The reference to “District 8” in the proclamation heading appears to be a typographical error. Jonathan Dismang served as the state senator for District 18, not District 8.
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