AN ACT FOR THE STATE BOARD OF ELECTION COMMISSIONERS APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2026-2027 FISCAL YEAR.

Arkansas election board gets operating funds

From July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, the law funds Arkansas’s State Board of Election Commissioners. It provides $1.103617 million from the state agency fund for staff and operations. This includes $603,967 for regular salaries, $100,000 for temporary help, and $221,840 for employer matching costs. It also provides $167,810 for operating expenses, $5,000 for conferences and travel, and $5,000 for professional fees. No money is allocated for capital purchases or data processing. The board can employ up to nine regular workers: one director, two attorneys, three election coordinators, and three support positions. Those support positions cover fiscal work, administration, and training. It can also hire up to 20 temporary or part-time workers when needed, within legal pay limits. Separately, election expenses receive $6.34 million from the state agency fund and $1.6 million from the Nonpartisan Filing Fee Fund. Unused election-expense money at June 30, 2027, remains available for the same purpose through June 30, 2028. Before June 30, 2027, the board must explain the carryover need in writing to the state budget office. That office must report amounts, agency and program details, funding sources, and the written request to legislative budget overseers. Its report to the Arkansas Legislative Council is due by the Council’s September meeting. The board must also report those details and current status at least 30 days before presenting its budget request. The state finance department must include that information in its two-year budget manuals or note missing reports. During 2026–2027, when the board lacks funds, its director can certify the amount needed to the chief fiscal officer. That officer must transfer the certified amount from the filing-fee fund to the state agency fund for board use. Spending must stay within approved amounts, follow state spending and salary laws, and serve the stated budget purposes. This funding supports election administration, not direct household payments.