AR-SD26: 'Far-reaching ramifications': Judge says special election dates violate constitutional rights
A Pulaski County Circuit judge ruled in favor of a Franklin County resident Wednesday and said a June 2026 special election to fill a vacant state Senate seat unconstitutionally deprives voters of a voice in next year’s legislative session.
Judge Patricia James’ eight-page ruling orders the state to hold the election “as soon as practicable” after the legal limit of 150 days from the vacancy to ensure that the date for the special election “will not infringe upon or curtail the constitutional and fundamental rights of the citizens of Arkansas Senate District 26.”
Attorney General Tim Griffin and Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders said through spokespersons that that they plan to appeal.
James’ ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Colt Shelby of Cecil against Sanders and Secretary of State Cole Jester over Sanders’ decision last month to schedule a special election in the district after the death of Republican Sen. Gary Stubblefield of Branch. Sanders originally set the election for Nov. 13, but after bipartisan pushback she revised the general election date to June 9, 2026. That date would still occur after the end of the fiscal session, set to begin April 8 and end May 7.
https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/10/22/far-reaching-ramifications-judge-says-special-election-dates-violate-constitutional-rights/