Forrest City, Arkansas Public Records

Registration must occur at least 30 days before an election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Arkansas residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and not currently serving a felony sentence. The state requires identification to vote, with acceptable forms including an Arkansas driver's license, U.S. Passport, Arkansas concealed carry permit, military ID, government employee ID, college student ID from an Arkansas institution, or a voter verification card issued by Saint Francis County. Municipal elections in the city cover positions for mayor and city council. These officials serve staggered terms, with municipal elections typically held on the second Tuesday in November of odd-numbered years. The next municipal election will be held in November 2025 for certain council positions, with mayoral elections on a separate cycle. Information about municipal candidates, ward boundaries, and local ballot issues can be obtained from the Forrest City City Clerk at City Hall, 217 South Izard Street (phone: 870-633-2944). To find their assigned polling place, local voters can use the Arkansas Voter View system at https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/voterview, which allows them to enter their name and date of birth to view registration status, polling location, sample ballots, and elected officials. Arkansas makes various election records publicly accessible. Voter registration lists are available to campaigns and political parties under specific rules. Campaign finance reports for candidates and committees are searchable through the Arkansas Secretary of State's website. Candidate filing information and precinct-level election results are public records maintained by the Saint Francis County Clerk and Secretary of State. In the November 2024 presidential election, St. Francis County reported approximately 5,200 votes cast, representing roughly 55% turnout of registered voters, with results reflecting Saint Francis County's Democratic-leaning voting patterns in a predominantly Republican state. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters in the area will decide several important races. Arkansas will hold elections for all four U.S. House seats, including the 1st Congressional District which represents St. Francis County. All state constitutional offices will be on the ballot, including Governor (current Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders' term expires in 2027, so the gubernatorial race will be in 2026), Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, and Land Commissioner. Approximately half of the Arkansas State Senate (17 or 18 of 35 seats) and all 100 Arkansas House of Representatives seats will be contested. At the Saint Francis County level, several St. Francis County offices will be up for election depending on term schedules, potentially including Sheriff, County Clerk, Circuit Clerk, Assessor, Treasurer, Coroner, and Justice of the Peace positions for various districts. Voters should check with the Saint Francis County Clerk for the complete list of offices on the ballot. Arkansas offers absentee voting for voters who will be unavoidably absent from their polling place on election day, are unable to vote in person due to illness or disability, or meet other qualifying reasons. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Saint Francis County Clerk, with deadlines of seven days before the election for mail applications (though ballots must be requested earlier to allow mailing time). Early voting in Arkansas begins 15 days before election day and continues through the day before the election at designated locations announced by the Saint Francis County Clerk.