Early voting for runoff elections in Arkansas underway

BROOKLAND, AR — (BrooklandNews.com) — Mar. 26, 2026 — Early voting is now underway for Arkansas’ primary runoff elections, giving voters in Northeast Arkansas another chance to decide closely contested races.

In Craighead County, early voting for the runoff began March 24 and runs through March 30, with polls open daily ahead of Election Day on March 31.

Runoff elections occur when no candidate earns more than 50 percent of the vote in the primary, forcing the top candidates into a final round.

For voters in Brookland, the top race on the ballot is the Republican runoff for Arkansas secretary of state. State Sen. Kim Hammer faces businessman Bryan Norris after neither secured a majority in the March primary.

This statewide office oversees elections, business filings, and state records, making it one of the most influential administrative roles in Arkansas government.

Election officials say only voters who participated in the same party’s primary, or did not vote at all, are eligible to vote in that party’s runoff.

Poll workers expect steady turnout through the early voting period as campaigns make a final push before Election Day.