Are you thinking of running for city office? Like Mayor, City Council, City Clerk, or City Attorney?
The filing window for municipal offices across Saline County is officially open, giving local candidates one week to submit petitions for the November General Election.
This structured guide breaks down the essential deadlines, eligibility requirements, and available seats for each local city. Read more below.
Deadlines
- Petition Pickup Period:
Thu, May 7 thru Noon, Wed Aug 5, 2026 - Filing Period:
Wed, Jul 29, 2026, at Noon thru Wed, Aug 5, 2026, at Noon - Statement of Financial Interest Deadline:
Mon, Aug 10, 2026 (required for non-incumbent candidates)
Qualifications
- Registered voter
- Reside within the specific area or ward that the office represents
- Valid photo ID when obtaining and submitting petitions
Filing Process
- Petition – Pick up a candidate petition at the Saline County Clerk’s Office (Thu, May 7 thru Noon, Wed Aug 5, 2026).
- Signatures – Collect the required number of signatures from registered voters within your city or ward.
- Clerk’s Office – Bring your completed petition and all necessary paperwork to the Saline County Clerk’s Office in the County Annex Building at 215 N. Main Street, Suite 9, Benton, AR 72015.
- Vote Here Building – If enough signatures are verified to be eligible, proceed to the adjacent Vote Here Building at 221 N. Main Street, Benton, AR 72015, to finalize remaining filing requirements.
Petition Requirements
- Benton and Bryant:
Minimum of 30 valid signatures from registered voters in the city/town limits and in the correct ward if it’s for a Council position. - Alexander, Bauxite, Haskell, Shannon Hills, and Traskwood:
Minimum of 10 valid signatures from registered voters in the city/town limits and in the correct ward if it’s for a Council position.
Open Municipal Offices
- Alexander:
- Mayor
- 8 Council Members = 4 Wards x Position 1 & 2 in each ward
- Bauxite:
- Mayor
- 6 Council Members = 3 Wards x Position 1 & 2 in each ward
- Benton:
- Mayor
- 10 Council Members = 5 Wards x Only Position 1 in each ward, Not Position 2
- City Attorney
- City Clerk
- Bryant:
- Mayor
- 8 Council Members = 4 Wards x Position 1 & 2 in each ward
- City Attorney
- City Clerk
- Haskell:
- Mayor
- 8 Council Members = 4 Wards x Position 1 & 2 in each ward
- Shannon Hills:
- Mayor
- 6 Council Members = 3 Wards x Position 1 & 2 in each ward
- Traskwood:
- 6 Council Members = 3 Wards x Position 1 & 2 in each ward
If you’d like to run for a City Council position but you aren’t sure of your ward, contact the County Clerk’s office.
Contacts & Resources
- Saline County Clerk’s Office:
Phone: 501-303-5630 | Web: salinecounty.org/countyclerk - Arkansas Ethics Commission:
(For SFI or financial disclosure questions) Phone: 501-324-9600 - Election Tracking:
Follow local candidate filings at www.mysaline.com/2026-elections
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