SB496 Summary

• Establishes uniform statewide dates for special elections on the second Tuesday of February, May, August, or November (March, May, August, or November in presidential election years), with exceptions for emergency situations and legal holidays.

• Requires school districts to obtain Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education approval and file election documents with county clerks at least 70 days before special school elections, and changes annual school election dates from the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November to the second Tuesday in November, and from the third Tuesday in May to the second Tuesday in May.

• Adds provisions allowing emergency special elections when two-thirds of governing entity members determine substantial circumstances exist, with court challenge procedures allowing qualified electors to contest the emergency designation within 30 days.

• Consolidates and reorganizes election timing requirements across 40+ Arkansas Code sections for school districts, technical colleges, municipalities, counties, and special districts to reference the uniform special election dates under § 7-11-205.

• Takes effect January 1, 2022.