(a) (1) If there is only one (1) candidate after all deadlines for filing as a candidate have passed in a special election to fill a vacancy and if no other office or issue is on the ballot, the county board of election commissioners may provide that:
(A) Polling places shall not be open on election day and the election shall be conducted by absentee ballot and early voting only;
(B) Only one (1) polling place shall be open and that polling place may be at the courthouse and may be staffed by the county clerk or as many poll workers as the county board of election commissioners deems necessary; or
(C) If the candidate is for municipal office, the provisions in subsection (c) of this section may be followed.
(2) If there is only one (1) candidate after all deadlines for filing as a candidate have passed in a special primary election to fill a vacancy, the county board of election commissioners shall certify the candidate as the nominee of the political party without holding a special primary election for the political party.
(b) In a county that uses voting machines or an electronic vote tabulating device, the county board of election commissioners may:
(1) Choose to use paper ballots counted by hand for the election; and
(2) (A) Provide that no voting machines shall be used in the election.
(B) If the county board of election commissioners chooses to provide that no voting machines shall be used in the election, any other provision in Arkansas law requiring the use of a voting machine shall not apply to this section.
(c) (1) If there is only one (1) candidate for municipal office after all the deadlines for filing as a candidate have passed in a special election to fill a vacancy and if no other office or issue is on the ballot, the county board of election commissioners may:
(A) Declare an election by candidate to be held on the election date;
(B) Open no polling places; and
(C) Allow the candidate to cast a ballot for himself or herself at a designated time and location on the special election day.
(2) If an election by candidate is to be held, the county board of election commissioners shall publish notice that an election by candidate shall be held and no polling places will be opened:
(A) By one (1) insertion in a newspaper of general circulation in the county or municipality at least two (2) weeks before the special election day; and
(B) By posting a notice on the door of each polling place on the special election day.
(3) After the candidate casts a ballot for himself or herself at an election by candidate, the candidate shall be declared elected.
Section: Previous 7-11-102 7-11-103 7-11-104 7-11-105 7-11-106 7-11-107Last modified: November 15, 2016