The filing period for the 2022 election is just a few weeks away. The excitement is building,  and we are looking forward to working with you to advance our Party.

As a quick reminder, the filing period runs from Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 12:00pm until Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 12:00pm. Please check with your County Clerk’s office to learn their regular office hours so you can relay those times to local candidates.

There are a total of five (5) forms linked to this email that will be needed for candidate filing (4), and county party member filing (1).

Running for County or Municipal office >>>

County, Municipal, and Township candidates will be required to complete the following two (4) forms that your County Party will collect.   Please note that you will need  3 sets of each form.  One set will go to the County Clerk for the Candidate to use to finalize the filing process, the second  set will be kept at the County for your records, and the final set will be sent to the Democratic Party of Arkansas at the end of Filing.

Guidelines, unless otherwise stated, are from the Running for Public Office Handbook.

County, Municipalities with Partisan Elections, and Township Offices Step by Step Process [A.C.A. §§7-1-101, 7-6-102, 7-7-204, 7-7-301, 7-7-203]:

• Step 1:

  • Candidate - Must file a signed affidavit of eligibility with the Secretary of the County Committee of the Political Party stating that they are eligible to serve in the office they  seek.

    • Affidavit of Eligibility (Note County, Municipal and Township Candidates must bring this document to Counties notarized so it is best to give this document to candidates early. If a notary isn’t available then the County Party Chair or County Party Secretary may sign the document since the document is to be filed with the County committee.  If the County signs the document make sure not to sign in the notary section.)

• Step 2:

  • Candidate - Must pay the party filing fee, if any, and file the party pledge, if any, with the Secretary of the County Committee of the Political Party during regular office hours during the party filing period. 

    • Political Practices Pledge

• Step 3:

  • Candidate - Must obtain a party certificate (receipt) from the Secretary or Chair of the County Committee of the Political Party.

    • Candidate Receipt

• Step 4:

  • Candidate - Must fill out a General Information Form with the County.  (This Form is not required to be turned into the County Clerk, but a 1 copy is required to be retained in the County and 1 copy sent to the DPA)

    • Candidate Information Form 

• Step 5:

  • Candidate - Must file the party certificate and political practices pledge with the County Clerk during regular office hours during the party filing period (Tuesday, February 22, 2022 at 12:00pm until Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 12:00pm.)

** If your County Secretary will not be able to assist during Filing Week it would be best that you elect a Filing Secretary for the Filing Period to be in alignment with the rules.  All rules and procedures laid out are from the Arkansas Secretary of State, State Board of Election Commissioners, and DPA Party Rules.

Joining your County Committee/Party >>>

Individuals who would like to serve as a member of your County Party for the 2023-2024 (2 year-term reference DPA Rules 2.02) will need to complete the membership filing form and return the document to the County Chair or their designee.

Requirements to be a County Member:

• Registered to vote in the county which they reside 

• Paid members in good standing (There is no filing fee so anyone is eligible)

** Please note some County Parties consider their membership to be for one year, but Party Rules state membership is for two years.  However, the rules do allow for flexibility in extending membership outside the filing period, including for county residents aged 14 and above (including non-citizens). 

Counties please choose the appropriate County Member Filing Form that aligns with your County Membership

Membership Filing Form w/ 2023-2024 year – 

Membership Filing Form w/ out years – 

Every County must send a copy of ALL filing paperwork at the end of filing to the Democratic Party of Arkansas.  Forms can be mailed to the DPA or emailed.

If you have any questions, please do reach out to the Party at 501-374-2361