2016 Arkansas elections
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| Elections in Arkansas |
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A general election was held in the U.S. state of Arkansas on November 8, 2016. Along with the presidential election, a U.S. Senate seat and all four seats in the U.S. House of Representatives as well as some state offices were also up for election.[1] Primaries were held on March 1, 2016.
Federal offices
President of the United States
Arkansas had six electoral votes in the Electoral College. Republican candidate Donald Trump won the state with 60% of the vote.
U.S. Senate
Incumbent Republican senator John Boozman won reelection to a second term with 60% of the vote.
U.S. House of Representatives
Arkansas had four seats in the United States House of Representatives. The Republican Party won all of them; no seats changed hands.
General Assembly
State Senate
17 out of 35 seats in the Arkansas Senate were up for election. Republicans won 13 while Democrats won four. The resulting composition was 26 Republicans and nine Democrats, with Republicans making a gain of two seats.
| Party | Before | After | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 24 | 26 | 2 | |
| Democratic | 11 | 9 | 2 | |
| Total | 35 | |||
State House of Representatives
All 100 seats in the Arkansas House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans won 73 while Democrats won 27, with Republicans gaining nine seats.
| Party | Before | After | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 64 | 73 | 9 | |
| Democratic | 34 | 27 | 7 | |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| vacant | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Total | 100 | |||
State Supreme Court
Two seats on the Arkansas Supreme Court were up for election.[4]
Chief Justice
Incumbent Justice Howard Brill was appointed by Governor Asa Hutchinson to serve the remaining term of Jim Hannah, who retired citing health concerns.[5][6]
Candidates
- Dan Kemp, criminal court judge[7]
- Courtney Goodson, associate justice[8]
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Dan Kemp | 344,523 | 57.57 | |
| Nonpartisan | Courtney Goodson | 253,941 | 42.43 | |
| Total votes | 598,464 | 100 | ||
Associate Justice, Position 5
Incumbent Justice Paul Danielson chose not to seek another term.[9]
Candidates
- Shawn Womack, circuit court judge[10]
- Clark Mason, attorney[11]
General election
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Shawn Womack | 378,444 | 67.50 | |
| Nonpartisan | Clark Mason | 182,182 | 32.50 | |
| Total votes | 560,626 | 100 | ||
Ballot measures
Four statewide measures appeared on the ballot in 2016, all of which were approved.[12]
Issue 1
The Arkansas Increase in Length of Term in Office for Some County Officials Amendment, or simply Arkansas Issue 1, would increase the term lengths for elected county judges, county court clerks, and county surveyors from two years to four years and prohibit certain elected county officials from being appointed or elected to a different civil office during their term.[13]
| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | 747,856 | 70.22 | |
| Against | 317,093 | 29.78 | |
| Total | 1,064,949 | 100.00 | |
Issue 2
The Arkansas Gubernatorial Power When Governor is Absent from State Amendment, or simply Arkansas Issue 2, would let Arkansas governors keep their regular political authority when out of the state.[15]
| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | 777,973 | 72.42 | |
| Against | 296,291 | 27.58 | |
| Total | 1,074,264 | 100.00 | |
Issue 3
The Arkansas Removal of Cap on State-Issued Bonds Amendment, or simply Arkansas Issue 3, would remove the cap on the amount of bonds the state is allowed to issue.[17]
| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | 689,980 | 65.34 | |
| Against | 366,020 | 34.66 | |
| Total | 1,056,000 | 100.00 | |
Issue 6
The Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, or simply Arkansas Issue 6, would legalize medical marijuana in the state.[19]
| Choice | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| For | 585,030 | 53.11 | |
| Against | 516,525 | 46.89 | |
| Total | 1,101,555 | 100.00 | |
References
- ^ "Arkansas elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 1, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas State Senate elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas House of Representatives elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 5, 2026.
- ^ a b c "Arkansas Supreme Court elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ Brantley, Max (August 1, 2015). "Chief Justice Jim Hannah plans early retirement". Arkansas Times. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ Brantley, Max (August 25, 2015). "It's official: Hutchinson names Howard Brill to be Arkansas chief justice". Arkansas Times. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Kemp declares candidacy for Arkansas Chief Justice". Savannah Morning News. November 17, 2015. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Sitting Justice, Circuit Judge Vie To Become Supreme Court Chief Justice". Southwest Times Record. February 28, 2016. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ Willems, Spencer (May 27, 2015). "High court's Danielson to retire". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ Garrett, Thomas (May 26, 2015). "Womack seeks seat on Ark. Supreme Court". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ Willems, Spencer (February 14, 2016). "Womack, Mason vie for seat on high court". Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas 2016 ballot measures". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Increase in Length of Term in Office for Some County Officials, Issue 1 (2016)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Election Night Reporting". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Gubernatorial Power When Governor is Absent from State, Issue 2 (2016)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Election Night Reporting". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Removal of Cap on State-Issued Bonds, Issue 3 (2016)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Election Night Reporting". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Medical Marijuana Amendment, Issue 6 (2016)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 8, 2026.
- ^ "Arkansas Election Night Reporting". Arkansas Secretary of State. Retrieved June 8, 2026.