On March 3, 2026, residents across the River Valley will decide on everything from local school leadership to a new voice in the State Senate. Here are the three non-Van Buren stories you need to watch:
1. The District 26 State Senate Race (Regional Voice)
The race to replace the late Sen. Gary Stubblefield is now set. Following the Republican runoff on February 3rd, Paris business owner Brad Simon defeated Wade Dunn with 65% of the vote. He will now face Independent Adam Watson on March 3rd.
The Big Issue: The proposed 3,000-bed prison north of Charleston in Franklin County. Both candidates are campaigning on their opposition to this project, which has faced multiple funding hurdles in the State Senate.
Why it Matters: This seat represents the "voice" of Franklin, Logan, Johnson, and Sebastian counties. The winner will be the primary advocate for the River Valley’s interests during the critical upcoming budget session.
2. School Board Contests: "Rightsizing" vs. Representation
While Fort Smith continues the difficult process of "rightsizing" (closing Carnall and Spradling elementaries), voters are deciding who will lead these districts through the next decade of fiscal challenges.
Fort Smith: Watch the contested seats in Zone 5 (Matthew Garner vs. Wesley Hooks Sr.) and At-Large Position 6 (Gregory Carthon vs. Brad Harding).
Greenwood: A key race in Zone 3 between Scarlett Bone and Elysa Turner.
Crawford County: Districts like Cedarville, Mountainburg, and Mulberry are holding elections for board seats, though notably, no millage (tax) increases are on the ballot for these specific districts this cycle.
3. The "Preferential Primary" (Narrowing the Field)
March 3rd serves as the gateway to the November general election. Key county-wide races will be narrowed down:
Crawford County Sheriff: A high-interest race between Richard "Rick" Rice and incumbent Daniel Perry.
Sebastian County Primary: Voters will decide on candidates for County Clerk, Tax Assessor, and multiple Justice of the Peace seats.
Voter Research Toolkit
To help you navigate the specific ballot for your street and neighborhood, use these direct links to official election resources:
Crawford County Election Commission: View sample ballots for every precinct and find your specific early voting site.
Sebastian County Election Board: Access information on school board candidates and the District 26 Special Election.
Arkansas Secretary of State: VoterView: The easiest way to check your registration status and see exactly what will be on your individual ballot.