The bill amends various provisions related to nonpartisan elections in Arkansas, particularly focusing on the election processes for local school boards. It changes the term lengths for school board directors from a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years to four or six years. Additionally, it mandates that the entire school district board of directors be elected during the first election following significant structural changes, such as zoning or boundary adjustments. The bill also introduces new rules for filling vacancies and ensures staggered terms for future elections, aiming to enhance governance and streamline the election process.

Moreover, the bill updates the timing of school board elections to align with preferential primary elections and modifies candidate filing procedures. It repeals certain provisions regarding annual school election dates and clarifies that school board members are nonpartisan office holders, similar to judges and prosecuting attorneys. The bill also stipulates that nonpartisan candidates must be included on political party ballots and allows voters to request separate ballots for nonpartisan elections. Importantly, it establishes that candidates for specific judicial and educational positions must receive a majority of votes to be elected, with provisions for runoff elections if no candidate achieves a majority.

Statutes affected:
Old version HB1724 V2 - 3-19-2025 02:35 PM: 6-13-608, 03-19-2025, 6-13-617(a), 6-13-611, 6-13-611(e), 6-13-634(d), 6-13-1415(e), 6-13-1417(a), 6-14-102(c), 6-14-102(a), 6-14-102, 6-14-111(a), 6-14-111(e), 6-14-111(h), 6-14-111(k), 6-14-121(a), 6-14-121(c)
Old version HB1724 V3 - 4-1-2025 12:45 PM: 6-13-608, 04-01-2025, 6-13-617(a), 6-13-611, 6-13-634(a), 6-13-634(b), 6-13-611(e), 6-13-634(d), 6-13-1415(e), 6-14-102(a), 6-13-1417(a), 6-14-102(c), 6-14-121(a), 6-14-102, 6-14-111(a), 6-14-111(e), 6-14-111(h), 6-14-111(k), 6-14-121(c)
Old version HB1724 Original - 3-10-2025 02:08 PM: 6-13-608, 6-13-617(a), 6-13-611(e), 6-13-634(d), 6-13-1415(e), 6-13-1417(a), 6-14-102(c), 6-14-102, 6-14-111(a), 6-14-111(e), 6-14-111(h), 6-14-111(k), 6-14-121(a), 6-14-121(c)
HB 1724: 6-13-608, 6-13-617(a), 6-13-611(e), 6-13-634(d), 6-13-1415(e), 6-13-1417(a), 6-14-102(c), 6-14-102, 6-14-111(a), 6-14-111(e), 6-14-111(h), 6-14-111(k), 6-14-121(a), 6-14-121(c)
Act 503: 6-13-608, 04-01-2025, 6-13-617(a), 6-13-611, 6-13-634(a), 6-13-634(b), 6-13-611(e), 6-13-634(d), 6-13-1415(e), 6-14-102(a), 6-13-1417(a), 6-14-102(c), 6-14-121(a), 6-14-102, 6-14-111(a), 6-14-111(e), 6-14-111(h), 6-14-111(k), 6-14-121(c)