Malvern, Arkansas Public Records

Arkansas residents can register to vote online through the Arkansas Secretary of State's website at https://www.sos.arkansas.gov/elections/voter-registration/registration-information, or by submitting a paper application available at the Hot Spring County Clerk's office, public libraries, and various state agencies. Registration must be completed 30 days before any election. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens, Arkansas residents, at least 18 years old by election day, and not currently adjudicated mentally incompetent or a convicted felon whose sentence has not been discharged, including probation and parole. The city holds municipal elections for mayor and city council positions. Operating under an aldermanic form of government, the community elects a mayor and council members representing different wards. Municipal elections in Arkansas cities typically occur in November of odd-numbered years, with the next regular municipal election scheduled for 2025. Residents can find information about local candidates, filing deadlines, and city ballot measures by contacting Malvern City Hall at (501) 332-3636 or visiting during regular business hours. City council meetings are open to the public and typically held monthly at city hall. Residents can locate their assigned polling place by visiting the Arkansas Voter View website at https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/VoterView, which allows voters to search by name and date of birth to view registration status, polling location, sample ballot, and elected representatives. Polling places for the county are established by the Hot Spring County Clerk and typically include community centers, schools, and government buildings. Polls are open from 7:30 a.m. To 7:30 p.m. On election day. Arkansas law requires voters to show photo identification at the polls; acceptable forms include Arkansas driver's license, U.S. Passport, employee ID from an Arkansas college or government agency, military ID, or concealed carry permit. Election records in Arkansas are extensively public. Voter registration lists are available for purchase from county clerks for political purposes. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates must be filed with the Arkansas Secretary of State and are searchable online at https://financial-disclosures.sos.arkansas.gov. Candidate filing information and certification are public records maintained by the Hot Spring County Clerk for county offices and by the Secretary of State for state offices. Election results by precinct are published after certification and are available from the Hot Spring County Clerk's office. In the November 2024 presidential election, Hot Spring County reported approximately 6,800 total votes cast, representing a turnout of approximately 55-60% of registered voters, consistent with typical presidential election participation in rural Arkansas counties. Looking ahead to the November 3, 2026 general election, voters in the area will decide numerous important races. Arkansas will hold elections for all four of its U.S. House of Representatives seats, with the city located in Arkansas's 4th Congressional District. All Arkansas state constitutional offices are elected in presidential years, so 2026 will feature elections for the full Arkansas General Assembly, including all 100 state House seats and half of the 35 state Senate seats. County voters will elect county-level offices including county judge, sheriff, circuit clerk, county clerk, treasurer, assessor, and coroner, as these positions are up for election in gubernatorial midterm years in Arkansas. Voters may also see ballot measures including proposed constitutional amendments referred by the legislature or citizen-initiated measures that qualify for the ballot. Municipal elections are scheduled for odd-numbered years, so 2026 will not include city races unless special elections are called. Arkansas offers absentee voting for voters who will be unavoidably absent from their polling place on election day, who are unable to attend due to illness or physical disability, or who are members of the military or overseas civilians. Absentee ballot applications must be submitted to the Hot Spring County Clerk's office and can be downloaded from the Secretary of State's website. Completed applications must be received by the Hot Spring County Clerk no later than seven days before the election, by 5:00 p.m. The Monday before the election. Emergency absentee ballots are available under limited circumstances. Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the Hot Spring County Clerk's office by the close of polls on election day, either by mail, postmarked by election day and received within 10 days, or hand-delivered. Arkansas does not offer universal vote-by-mail or no-excuse absentee voting; applicants must meet one of the statutory reasons for absentee voting.