Of 2,333 regular elections in Arkansas—1,794 (77%) are uncontested. An uncontested election is one where the number of candidates on the ballot is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. 

Of the 24 states where Ballotpedia is covering every election on Nov. 5, Arkansas has the third highest rate of uncontested elections. 

There are at least 17 office types up for election in Arkansas this year. 

This year’s treasurer elections, with seven seats on the ballot, are all uncontested, giving that office the highest rate of uncontested elections in the state. That rate for treasurers mirrors four other states: Illinois, Montana, Rhode Island, and Texas. Conversely, two states—North Carolina and Washington—are the only states with a 100% contested election rate for the office of treasurer. 

Elections for the office of constable have the next highest uncontested rate at 94%.

Chief judge of the state supreme court, sheriff, attorney, and local judge have the highest rate of contested elections at 100%. The next highest contested office types in Arkansas are U.S. representative and state representative at 56%, followed by board of regents at 50%.

Arkansas has a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. Among states with Republican trifectas, 66% of elections are uncontested and 34% are contested. Those rates for Democratic trifectas are 55% and 45%, respectively. In states with a divided government, 56% of elections are uncontested and 44% are contested. 

Through October 2024, Ballotpedia has covered 36,068 elections in 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four territories in 2024 alone. Of that total, 27,164 (75%) were uncontested and 8,904 (25%) were contested. To learn more about this analysis, click here!