AR SB297

Municipalities must file ordinances governing city council member elections (at-large vs. by-ward) with the county clerk by August 31 of the calendar year before the election

First and second class cities with existing ordinances on council member elections must file them with the county clerk no later than January 1, 2026

Changes to council member election methods cannot take effect until a new ordinance is passed and filed with the county clerk by the August 31 deadline

Cities of the first or second class that fail to file an ordinance will default to having council members elected at-large

County boards of election commissioners must ensure each ward has at least one voting precinct where ward residents can cast ballots