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Panel approves bill requiring cities to file ordinances that change council election methods
Summary
Senate Bill 297 would require cities that switch between at‑large and ward elections to file the ordinance with the county clerk so election officials can set ballots correctly; committee advanced the measure after testimony from the State Board of Election Commissioners' legal counsel.
The City, County & Local Affairs Committee — Senate advanced Senate Bill 297 after testimony from Wayland Cooper, legal counsel for the State Board of Election Commissioners, who said the bill responds to confusion in election administration when cities change council‑member election methods.
"Currently, the Arkansas law is that cities of the first and second class can elect their city council members by either by ward or by at‑large or a combination of the two," Cooper told the committee. He said the default is at‑large if a city does not otherwise specify, but when a city passes an ordinance to change to ward or a combination, that ordinance is not always filed with the county clerk. Cooper said the bill would require a city that passes such an ordinance to file it with the county clerk so the county board of election commissioners can set ballots correctly.
Committee members asked procedural questions, including about specified filing deadlines in the draft language. Cooper and others said the date language—examples in the draft read "no later than 01/01/2026"—was included to establish a date certain for filing and would not be intended to operate retroactively. The sponsor said they would review the language and, if necessary, amend it before the bill goes to the floor.
Senators moved and passed the bill by voice vote in committee; the transcript shows no roll‑call tally.
