State Offices You Can Run For in Arkansas
Arkansas voters elect dozens of officials at the state level. Here's a plain-English look at the offices you can put your name on the ballot for and what each one does.
Office: Governor
The chief executive of the state. Signs or vetoes bills, proposes the state budget, appoints agency heads, and serves as commander-in-chief of the Arkansas National Guard. Four-year term, two-term limit. Must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 20 years, and an Arkansas resident for 7 years.
Office: Lieutenant Governor
Presides over the State Senate, casts tie-breaking votes, and becomes acting Governor if the Governor is absent from the state or unable to serve. Elected separately from the Governor. Four-year term, two-term limit. Same age and residency requirements as Governor.
Office: Attorney General
The state's chief legal officer. Represents Arkansas in court, issues legal opinions, enforces consumer protection laws, and prosecutes certain state-level crimes. Four-year term, two-term limit.
Office: Secretary of State
Runs statewide elections, maintains official state records, registers businesses, and oversees the State Capitol grounds. Four-year term, two-term limit.
Office: State Treasurer
Manages the state's cash, invests public funds, and distributes money to local governments and school districts. Four-year term, two-term limit.
Office: State Auditor
Audits how state agencies spend money, pays state employees, and returns unclaimed property to Arkansans. Four-year term, two-term limit.
Office: Commissioner of State Lands
Manages state-owned land, oversees mineral leases, and auctions tax-delinquent property. Four-year term, two-term limit.
Office: State Senator
One of 35 members of the Arkansas Senate. Writes, debates, and votes on state laws, confirms gubernatorial appointments, and helps approve the state budget. Four-year terms (staggered), two-term limit. Must be at least 25 years old and a resident of the district.
Office: State Representative
One of 100 members of the Arkansas House of Representatives. Writes, debates, and votes on state laws and the state budget. Two-year term, six-term limit. Must be at least 21 years old and a resident of the district.
Office: Arkansas Supreme Court Justice
One of seven justices on the state's highest court. Hears appeals of major civil and criminal cases and decides constitutional questions. Elected in nonpartisan statewide races. Eight-year term.
Office: Court of Appeals Judge
One of twelve judges on Arkansas's intermediate appellate court. Hears most appeals from circuit courts. Elected in nonpartisan district races. Eight-year term.
Office: Circuit Judge
Trial court judges who handle felony criminal cases, major civil disputes, divorces, probate, and juvenile matters. Elected in nonpartisan judicial district races. Six-year term.
Office: District Judge
Handles misdemeanors, traffic cases, small claims, and preliminary hearings. Elected in nonpartisan district races. Four-year term.
Office: Prosecuting Attorney
The elected prosecutor for a judicial district. Decides which criminal cases to charge and represents the state in felony trials. Four-year term.