AR SB872

Establishes procedures for special runoff elections when two or more candidates receive equal votes in nonpartisan judicial elections (Supreme Court Justices, Court of Appeals judges, circuit judges, and district judges).

Defines a tie as occurring when two or more candidates receive the highest number of votes with equal vote totals, or when one candidate receives the most votes but not a majority and two or more other candidates tie for the next highest vote count.

Requires nonpartisan judicial special runoff elections to be held three weeks after the general election, with the county board of election commissioners conducting the election in accordance with existing election law.

When a tie involves two candidates with equal second-place votes, the county board of election commissioners shall determine which candidate advances to the runoff by lot at a public meeting with both candidates present.

Excludes from the runoff procedure any special runoff elections held on the date of a primary election, allowing nonpartisan judicial candidates to appear on party ballots while providing separate ballots for voters who request them.