Although the 2025 session of the state Legislature ended May 5, local election officials are still trying to determine how some new laws will affect the election process.

Filing fees for political offices across the country typically are set by statute and collected by state government. In Arkansas, however, political parties both set and collect the filing fees. These largely private clubs establish the rules for participation,

Central Arkansas state Sen. Fred Love is the first Democrat to launch a challenge to incumbent Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ re-election.