Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has proclaimed a special election to fill the vacant State Representative seat for District 8, following the resignation of Austin McCollum on August 5, 2026. The election is set for Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Key deadlines for candidates include submitting Certificates of Nomination by 12:00 noon on Friday, August 28, 2026, with final filing by 5:00 P.M. the same day. Independent candidates must submit petitions to the Office of the Secretary of State by 12:00 noon on August 28, 2026, after circulating them from August 24 to August 26, 2026.
The drawing for ballot positions will occur on or before Wednesday, September 2, 2026. Early voting for the special election is scheduled to begin on Monday, October 19, 2026. The proclamation also states that the results of the special election shall be certified by county boards of election commissioners on or before Friday, September 18, 2026, with all other requirements following state election laws.