Election Year Reminders: Register to Vote and Review Political Activity, Free Speech Policies

With Election Day less than two months away, learn the ins and outs of participating in the political process and casting your ballot. 

Register to Vote 

If you wish to vote in Arkansas this November, you must be registered at least 30 days in advance of election day. 

In Arkansas, you can register in person or by mail (but NOT online). 

• The in-person registration deadline to vote for this year is Monday, Oct. 7, 2026. 
• If you’re registering by mail, the paperwork must be postmarked by Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. 

But why wait until the last minute? Register as soon as you can. 

You can register in person at county clerk’s offices, state revenue offices, public libraries, voter registration drives, military recruitment offices and at the Arkansas National Guard. Here’s an overview of registration requirements and details. 

Visit the Arkansas Secretary of State’s site for more information about registering to vote in Arkansas and/or to confirm your voter registration status. 

For students, if you wish to register to vote outside of Arkansas, more information regarding voter registration in each state can be found here. 

Casting Your Vote 

Voters in Arkansas must verify their registration by presenting identification. The Washington County Election Commission provides a list of indentification cards accepted as verification for registration. 

Early Voting 

Early voting for the Nov. 3 general election begins on Oct. 19 in Arkansas. The Janelle Y. Hembree Alumni House at the corner of Maple Street and Razorback Road will be an early-voting site on Oct. 21, 22 and 23, open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

More early voting sites are spread across Washington County and will be open during the two weeks prior to the general election. Visit the Washington County Election Commission’s Early Voting page for more locations, dates and times. 

Absentee Voting 

Qualifying voters may receive an absentee ballot through an application via the Washington County Clerk’s Office. Phone the clerk’s office at 444-1711 or email absentee@washingtoncountyar.gov. Learn more about absentee ballots and the process of casting your ballot absentee in Washington County. 

Election Day Voting 

Eligible voters in Washington County may vote at any voting center in the county on the day of the general election, Nov. 3, 2026. Polls open at 7:30 a.m. Any voter in line at 7:30 p.m. is eligible to cast their ballot. 

Engaging in Political Activity 

The U of A respects the right of all employees to engage in political activity. However, employees may not involve the institution’s name, symbols, property or supplies in political activities. 

For example, U of A employees cannot use their titles, emails, letterhead, logos or any university-related communications to participate in political activity. It is also not permissible to engage in political activities during work hours or with U of A-issued equipment, technology and devices at any time. This includes not just candidate campaigns but circulation of initiative/referendum petitions and signature gathering. 

Employees may not display political banners, posters or literature in university offices or place political bumper stickers or decals on university vehicles. Also, employees may not request or collect political contributions during working hours. 

It is also advised that U of A employees refrain from wearing attire that would identify them as employed by the university when attending political events and should not represent their opinions as being those of the U of A. 

Applicable policies can be found at: 

• Board Policy 465.1 Political Activity 
• Board Policy 100.7 Use of University Name and Trademarks 
• UASP 465.1 Relations with Legislators and Members of Congress 
• Human Resources Employee Handbook – 9.6 Political Activities 
• Faculty Handbook – 3.10 Political Activity 
• Faculty Handbook – 3.11 Relations With Legislators and Members of Congress 

Refer also to Ark. Code 7-1-103. 

The Fayetteville Policies and Procedures online resource includes all campus and academic policies as well as links to U of A System policies and Board of Trustees policies. 

Engaging in Expressive Speech on Campus 

The university respects the right of members of the campus community to engage in peaceful expressive activity on campus, such as giving speeches, holding signs and circulating petitions, consistent with applicable university policies such as the policy regarding the Use of University Facilities and Outdoor Space. 

For information regarding the university’s long-term commitment to principles of free speech, as well as answers to frequently asked questions, please visit freespeech.uark.edu. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $2.2 billion to Arkansas’ economy through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of Aworks to build a better world at Arkansas Research News.