On October 22, an Arkansas state trial court ruled that voters in State Senate district 26 cannot be forced to wait until June 26, 2026, to fill the vacancy. The seat has been vacant since the incumbent died on September 2. The Governor argued that she has complete discretion to choose the special election date, but the judge said the Governor’s position is not supported by the state Constitution. See this story. The Governor is appealing. The case is Shelby v Sanders, 60cv-25-12172.