The bill amends existing laws regarding the election of certain municipal offices in Arkansas. It mandates that county party committees of recognized political parties shall conduct party primaries for municipal offices unless the governing body of the municipality passes a resolution to conduct nonpartisan municipal elections. This resolution must be adopted before August 31 of the calendar year preceding the election and will remain in effect for two years unless revoked. Additionally, the bill outlines the responsibilities of the clerk or recorder in relation to the resolution and the certification of candidates nominated through political primaries.

Furthermore, the bill repeals a section that previously stated that nothing in the law would affect the city administrator or city manager forms of government. It also clarifies that all elections for directors in a city manager form of government and for mayors and directors in a city administrator form of government shall be nonpartisan, with no party designation on the ballots. The amendments ensure that candidates for these offices are elected by the electors of the city at large, and it specifies residency requirements for elected officials to maintain their positions.

Statutes affected:
HB 1936: 14-42-206(a), 14-42-206(f), 14-47-109(d), 14-48-110(d)