Arkansas state legislative districts

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There are 135 seats in the Arkansas General Assembly. One hundred seventeen (117) or 118 seats—17 or 18 in the Arkansas State Senate and all 100 in the Arkansas House of Representatives—are up for election every two years.

Chambers

Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:

Senate

The Arkansas State Senate is the upper branch of the Arkansas General Assembly. The Senate consists of 35 members.

As of the 2020 Census, Arkansas state senators represented an average of 86,107 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 83,607 residents.

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article 5, Section 4 of the Arkansas Constitution states: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of the United States, nor any one who has not been for two years next preceding his election, a resident of this State, and for one year next preceding his election, a resident of the county or district whence he may be chosen. Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and Representatives at least twenty-one years of age."[1]

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Arkansas General Assembly, the governor must call for a special election to fill the vacancy. The election must be called by the governor without delay.[2][3] For all special elections in the Senate, the county that first established the district is responsible for conducting the election.[4] If the special election is to fill a House seat, the county board of election commissioners representing the vacant district conducts the election.[5] All special elections must be held on the second Tuesday of the month, unless the second Tuesday of the month falls on a legal holiday or is in June during an even-numbered year.[6]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Arkansas Stat. Ann. § 7-11-103 and Arkansas Cons. Art. 5, § 6

Term limits

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Arkansas legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. The state Senate has been term-limited since Arkansas voters approved the Arkansas Term Limits Initiative in 1992 as an initiated constitutional amendment. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2000.

In 2014, voters approved the Arkansas Elected Officials Ethics, Transparency and Financial Reform Amendment which permitted legislators to serve a total of 16 years in the House or Senate during his or her lifetime.[7] In 2020, voters modified the term limits for Arkansas state legislative members. Voters passed Issue 2 in November 2020 with 55.38% of the vote. The measure imposed term limits of 12 consecutive years for state legislators with the opportunity to return after a four-year break. State legislators elected in November 2020 or already in office would be allowed to serve the former term limit of 16 years.

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[8]
SalaryPer diem
$44,356/yearFor legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $59/day. For legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol: $166/day.

Districts

These are links to every district in the Arkansas State Senate.


Office
Arkansas State Senate District 1
Arkansas State Senate District 2
Arkansas State Senate District 3
Arkansas State Senate District 4
Arkansas State Senate District 5
Arkansas State Senate District 6
Arkansas State Senate District 7
Arkansas State Senate District 8
Arkansas State Senate District 9
Arkansas State Senate District 10
Arkansas State Senate District 11
Arkansas State Senate District 12
Arkansas State Senate District 13
Arkansas State Senate District 14
Arkansas State Senate District 15
Arkansas State Senate District 16
Arkansas State Senate District 17
Arkansas State Senate District 18
Arkansas State Senate District 19
Arkansas State Senate District 20
Arkansas State Senate District 21
Arkansas State Senate District 22
Arkansas State Senate District 23
Arkansas State Senate District 24
Arkansas State Senate District 25
Arkansas State Senate District 26
Arkansas State Senate District 27
Arkansas State Senate District 28
Arkansas State Senate District 29
Arkansas State Senate District 30
Arkansas State Senate District 31
Arkansas State Senate District 32
Arkansas State Senate District 33
Arkansas State Senate District 34
Arkansas State Senate District 35


House

The Arkansas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Arkansas General Assembly. The House is composed of 100 members elected from an equal amount of constituencies across the state.

As of the 2020 Census, Arkansas state representatives represented an average of 30,138 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 29,262 residents.

Qualifications

See also: State legislature candidate requirements by state

Article 5, Section 4 of the Arkansas Constitution states: "No person shall be a Senator or Representative who, at the time of his election, is not a citizen of the United States, nor any one who has not been for two years next preceding his election, a resident of this State, and for one year next preceding his election, a resident of the county or district whence he may be chosen. Senators shall be at least twenty-five years of age, and Representatives at least twenty-one years of age."[9]

Vacancies

See also: How vacancies are filled in state legislatures

If there is a vacancy in the Arkansas General Assembly, the governor must call for a special election to fill the vacancy. The election must be called by the governor without delay.[10][11] For all special elections in the Senate, the county that first established the district is responsible for conducting the election.[12] If the special election is to fill a House seat, the county board of election commissioners representing the vacant district conducts the election.[13] All special elections must be held on the second Tuesday of the month, unless the second Tuesday of the month falls on a legal holiday or is in June during an even-numbered year.[14]

DocumentIcon.jpg See sources: Arkansas Stat. Ann. § 7-11-103 and Arkansas Cons. Art. 5, § 6

Term limits

See also: State legislatures with term limits

The Arkansas legislature is one of 16 state legislatures with term limits. The Arkansas House of Representatives has been term-limited since Arkansas voters approved the Arkansas Term Limits Initiative in 1992 as an initiated constitutional amendment. The first year that the term limits enacted in 1992 impacted the ability of incumbents to run for office was 2000.

In 2014, voters approved the Arkansas Elected Officials Ethics, Transparency and Financial Reform Amendment, which permitted a legislator to serve a total of 16 years in the House or Senate during his or her lifetime.[15] In 2020, voters modified the term limits for Arkansas state legislative members. Voters passed Issue 2 in November 2020 with 55.38% of the vote. The measure imposed term limits of 12 consecutive years for state legislators with the opportunity to return after a four-year break. State legislators elected in November 2020 or already in office would be allowed to serve the former term limit of 16 years.

Salaries

See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
State legislative salaries, 2024[16]
SalaryPer diem
$44,356/yearFor legislators residing within 50 miles of the capitol: $59/day. For legislators residing more than 50 miles from the capitol: $166/day.

Districts

These are links to every district in the Arkansas House of Representatives.


Office
Arkansas House of Representatives District 1
Arkansas House of Representatives District 2
Arkansas House of Representatives District 3
Arkansas House of Representatives District 4
Arkansas House of Representatives District 5
Arkansas House of Representatives District 6
Arkansas House of Representatives District 7
Arkansas House of Representatives District 8
Arkansas House of Representatives District 9
Arkansas House of Representatives District 10
Arkansas House of Representatives District 11
Arkansas House of Representatives District 12
Arkansas House of Representatives District 13
Arkansas House of Representatives District 14
Arkansas House of Representatives District 15
Arkansas House of Representatives District 16
Arkansas House of Representatives District 17
Arkansas House of Representatives District 18
Arkansas House of Representatives District 19
Arkansas House of Representatives District 20
Arkansas House of Representatives District 21
Arkansas House of Representatives District 22
Arkansas House of Representatives District 23
Arkansas House of Representatives District 24
Arkansas House of Representatives District 25
Arkansas House of Representatives District 26
Arkansas House of Representatives District 27
Arkansas House of Representatives District 28
Arkansas House of Representatives District 29
Arkansas House of Representatives District 30
Arkansas House of Representatives District 31
Arkansas House of Representatives District 32
Arkansas House of Representatives District 33
Arkansas House of Representatives District 34
Arkansas House of Representatives District 35
Arkansas House of Representatives District 36
Arkansas House of Representatives District 37
Arkansas House of Representatives District 38
Arkansas House of Representatives District 39
Arkansas House of Representatives District 40
Arkansas House of Representatives District 41
Arkansas House of Representatives District 42
Arkansas House of Representatives District 43
Arkansas House of Representatives District 44
Arkansas House of Representatives District 45
Arkansas House of Representatives District 46
Arkansas House of Representatives District 47
Arkansas House of Representatives District 48
Arkansas House of Representatives District 49
Arkansas House of Representatives District 50
Arkansas House of Representatives District 51
Arkansas House of Representatives District 52
Arkansas House of Representatives District 53
Arkansas House of Representatives District 54
Arkansas House of Representatives District 55
Arkansas House of Representatives District 56
Arkansas House of Representatives District 57
Arkansas House of Representatives District 58
Arkansas House of Representatives District 59
Arkansas House of Representatives District 60
Arkansas House of Representatives District 61
Arkansas House of Representatives District 62
Arkansas House of Representatives District 63
Arkansas House of Representatives District 64
Arkansas House of Representatives District 65
Arkansas House of Representatives District 66
Arkansas House of Representatives District 67
Arkansas House of Representatives District 68
Arkansas House of Representatives District 69
Arkansas House of Representatives District 70
Arkansas House of Representatives District 71
Arkansas House of Representatives District 72
Arkansas House of Representatives District 73
Arkansas House of Representatives District 74
Arkansas House of Representatives District 75
Arkansas House of Representatives District 76
Arkansas House of Representatives District 77
Arkansas House of Representatives District 78
Arkansas House of Representatives District 79
Arkansas House of Representatives District 80
Arkansas House of Representatives District 81
Arkansas House of Representatives District 82
Arkansas House of Representatives District 83
Arkansas House of Representatives District 84
Arkansas House of Representatives District 85
Arkansas House of Representatives District 86
Arkansas House of Representatives District 87
Arkansas House of Representatives District 88
Arkansas House of Representatives District 89
Arkansas House of Representatives District 90
Arkansas House of Representatives District 91
Arkansas House of Representatives District 92
Arkansas House of Representatives District 93
Arkansas House of Representatives District 94
Arkansas House of Representatives District 95
Arkansas House of Representatives District 96
Arkansas House of Representatives District 97
Arkansas House of Representatives District 98
Arkansas House of Representatives District 99
Arkansas House of Representatives District 100

Redistricting

The Arkansas General Assembly is responsible for drawing congressional district lines. Both chambers of the state legislature must approve a single redistricting plan. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.[17]

Arkansas' state legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission, the Arkansas Board of Apportionment. The commission comprises the governor, the secretary of state, and the attorney general.[17]

The Arkansas Constitution requires that Arkansas State Senate district lines be "contiguous, and that they follow county lines except where necessary to comply with other legal requirements." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[17]

On December 29, 2021, new state House and Senate district maps went into effect.[18] The Arkansas Board of Apportionment—made up of the governor, secretary of state, and attorney general—initially displayed these maps on Oct. 29, 2021, beginning a month-long public comment period.[19] The board met on Nov. 29 to incorporate feedback and then voted 3-0 in favor of the final maps. These maps took effect for Arkansas' 2022 legislative elections.

Senate elections

Arkansas state senators serve 2-4-4 terms, where senators serve one two-year term and two four-year terms each decade. Arkansas holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2026

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2024

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 5, 2024, and the primary runoff was April 2, 2024. The filing deadline was November 14, 2023.

2022

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2022

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 24, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 21, 2022. The filing deadline was March 1, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas State Senate from 27-7 (with one independent) to 29-6.

Arkansas State Senate
Party As of November 8, 2022 After November 9, 2022
     Democratic Party 7 6
     Republican Party 27 29
     Independent 1 0
Total 35 35

2020

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Arkansas State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for March 31, 2020. The filing deadline was November 11, 2019.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas State Senate from 26-9 to 28-7.

Arkansas State Senate
Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
     Democratic Party 9 7
     Republican Party 26 28
Total 35 35

2018

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2018

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on May 22, 2018.[20] A primary runoff election took place on June 19, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 1, 2018.[21]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas State Senate from 25-9 to 26-9.

Arkansas State Senate
Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
     Democratic Party 9 9
     Republican Party 25 26
     Vacancy 1 0
Total 35 35

2016

See also: Arkansas State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Arkansas State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing period began at noon local time on November 2, 2015, and ended at noon local time on November 9, 2015.[22] A total of 17 seats out of the 35 seats in the Arkansas State Senate were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 24-11 majority. Republicans gained two seats in the election, giving them a 26-9 majority.

Arkansas State Senate
Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
     Democratic Party 11 9
     Republican Party 24 26
Total 35 35

House elections

Arkansas state representatives serve two-year terms, with all seats up for election every two years. Arkansas holds elections for its legislature in even years.

2026

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2026

Elections for the Arkansas House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026.

2024

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2024

Elections for the Arkansas House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was on November 5, 2024. The primary was March 5, 2024, and the primary runoff was April 2, 2024. The filing deadline was November 14, 2023.

2022

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2022

Elections for the Arkansas House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 24, 2022, and a primary runoff was scheduled for June 21, 2022. The filing deadline was March 1, 2022.

In the 2022 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 78-22 to 82-18.

Arkansas House of Representatives
Party As of November 8, 2022 After November 9, 2022
     Democratic Party 22 18
     Republican Party 78 82
Total 100 100

2020

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2020

Elections for the office of Arkansas House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for March 3, 2020, and a primary runoff was scheduled for March 31, 2020. The filing deadline was November 11, 2019.

In the 2020 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 75-23 to 78-22.

Arkansas House of Representatives
Party As of November 3, 2020 After November 4, 2020
     Democratic Party 23 22
     Republican Party 75 78
     Vacancy 2 0
Total 100 100

2018

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2018

Elections for the Arkansas House of Representatives took place in 2018. An open primary election took place on May 22, 2018.[29] A primary runoff election took place on June 19, 2018. The general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was March 1, 2018.[30]

In the 2018 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Arkansas House of Representatives from 75-24 to 76-24.

Arkansas House of Representatives
Party As of November 6, 2018 After November 7, 2018
     Democratic Party 24 24
     Republican Party 75 76
     Vacancy 1 0
Total 100 100

2016

See also: Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2016

Ballotpedia's analysis revealed that only 42 of the 100 seats up for election in 2016 involved competition between Democrats and Republicans. This made it numerically impossible for Democrats to take control of either Arkansas legislative chamber in 2016.

The reason for the low competition was that candidates were in safe districts for their parties. Between 1972 and 2014, an upward trend in uncontested state legislative elections occurred.

The Democratic Party of Arkansas focused its 2016 efforts on the state’s House of Representatives. Without the numbers to win the state Senate, H.L. Moody, communications director for the Democratic Party of Arkansas, told Ballotpedia that the party’s goal was to “start building back where we can,” beginning with the House.

Ballotpedia spoke to political analyst Richard Winger, who said that the early primary deadline for the 2016 elections was a possible factor as well, making it difficult for Democrats to recruit candidates early.

The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing period began at noon local time on November 2, 2015, and ended at noon local time on November 9, 2015.[31] All 100 House seats were up for election in 2016.

Heading into the election, Republicans held a 64-34 majority. Republicans gained nine seats in the election, giving them a 73-27 majority.

Arkansas House of Representatives
Party As of November 7, 2016 After November 8, 2016
     Democratic Party 34 27
     Republican Party 64 73
     Independent 1 0
     Vacancy 1 0
Total 100 100

District maps

State Senate


State House


See also

Footnotes

  1. Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 4 - Qualifications of senators and representatives," accessed January 24, 2023
  2. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-118)
  3. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-119)
  4. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-120(a)(1))
  5. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 7-11-103(a))
  6. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 7-11-105 1 (a)-(c))
  7. Arkansas Legislature, "HJR1009," accessed February 9, 2021
  8. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  9. Justia, "Arkansas Constitution Article 5 - Legislative Department Section 4 - Qualifications of senators and representatives," accessed January 24, 2023
  10. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-118)
  11. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-119)
  12. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 10-2-120(a)(1))
  13. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 7-11-103(a))
  14. Arkansas Legislature, "Arkansas Code - Unannotated," accessed February 9, 2021 (Statutes, 7-11-105 1 (a)-(c))
  15. Arkansas Legislature, "HJR1009," accessed February 9, 2021
  16. National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 All About Redistricting, "Arkansas," accessed April 20, 2015
  18. Democracy Docket, "Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. The Arkansas Board of Apportionment complaint," Dec. 29, 2021
  19. Arkansas Online, "Arkansas board accepts redrawn legislative district maps," Oct. 30, 2021
  20. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed May 29, 2017
  21. Arkansas Secretary of State, "2018 Election Dates," accessed August 29, 2017
  22. Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 Election Dates," accessed November 17, 2015
  23. Follow the Money, "Arkansas Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed April 21, 2015
  24. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2008 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  25. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2006 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  26. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2004 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  27. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2002 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  28. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2000 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  29. National Conference of State Legislatures, "State Primary Election Systems," accessed May 29, 2017
  30. Arkansas Secretary of State, "2018 Election Dates," accessed August 29, 2017
  31. Arkansas Secretary of State, "2016 Election Dates," accessed November 17, 2015
  32. Follow the Money, "Arkansas House 2010 Campaign Contributions," accessed April 21, 2015
  33. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2008 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  34. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2006 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  35. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2004 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  36. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2002 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013
  37. Follow the Money, "Arkansas 2000 Candidates," accessed May 28, 2013