Arkansas has always had open primaries.  But in the summer of 2025,, the Arkansas Republican Party approved a rule change that does not allow registered members of other parties to vote in its primaries, although it does allow independents to vote in its primaries.  Arkansas law allows parties to decide to exclude members of other parties.

Arkansas held a special primary on January 6 for the Republican Party, in connection with the special election to fill the vacancy in the State Senate, 26th district.  This was the first semi-closed primary in Arkansas history.  Five Republicans ran in the primary.  No one got 50%, so there will be a run-off primary on February 3.