Bentonville, Arkansas Public Records

Community policing, traffic enforcement, and crime prevention occupy much of their daily work, though all participate in county-wide campaigns against drug trafficking and violent crime that affect the broader region.

Arkansas residents can register online through the Arkansas Secretary of State's voter registration portal at sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information, or submit a paper application to the Benton County office. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Arkansas residents, at least 18 years old by the next election, and not currently serving a felony sentence. Registration closes 30 days before any election. Arkansas law, specifically Act 633 of 2013, requires voters to bring acceptable photo identification to the polls—a driver's license, U.S. Passport, military ID, or Arkansas voter ID card available free from county clerks all qualify. The city operates under a mayor-council form of government with a mayor and eight city council members representing wards. Municipal elections happen on the first Tuesday in November during odd-numbered years, putting the next city elections in November 2025 and 2027. Candidate filings and local ballot measures are announced through the Benton County Election Commission and the City Clerk's office. Residents can find their assigned polling location using the Arkansas Secretary of State's polling place lookup tool at sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-information/precinct-finder by entering their address, or by calling the Benton County office directly. Arkansas law makes certain election records public, including voter registration lists available for purchase for political purposes, campaign finance reports filed with the Arkansas Ethics Commission and searchable at arcampaignfinance.com, candidate filing information, and precinct-level results. During the November 2024 presidential election, Benton County recorded approximately 130,000 total votes cast with turnout exceeding 60% of registered voters, demonstrating strong civic participation in this rapidly growing area. The November 3, 2026 general election will be significant for local voters. Arkansas will hold elections for Governor—the current term expires 2027—along with all four U.S. House seats including Arkansas's 3rd Congressional District which covers Bentonville, all 35 Arkansas Senate seats where senators serve four-year terms, all 100 Arkansas House seats with two-year terms, and numerous county offices including county judge, sheriff, circuit clerk, county clerk, assessor, treasurer, coroner, and justices of the peace. No U.S. Senate seat from Arkansas is up in 2026; Senator John Boozman's seat comes up in 2028, while Senator Tom Cotton's is contested in 2026. Local judicial positions including circuit judges and district judges may also appear on ballots. Bentonville voters will decide city matters in odd-year elections but will participate fully in these state and county races in 2026. Arkansas offers absentee voting for voters who will be unavoidably absent from their polling place on election day, those who are ill or physically disabled, or those whose employment requires them to be absent. Absentee ballot applications are available from the Benton County Clerk's office or online, with completed applications due seven days before the election or by 5 p.m. The Monday before election day for emergency situations. Voted absentee ballots must reach Benton County Clerk by 7:30 p.m. On election day. Early voting begins 15 days before any election and continues through the day before election day, excluding Sundays, at designated locations announced before each election. Given its population size, the city typically offers multiple early voting sites. For specific information about upcoming elections, deadlines, sample ballots, and voter guides, residents should contact the Benton County Election Commission or visit the Arkansas Secretary of State's elections division website.