LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — 2024 is a major election year, and with early voting already underway in the Natural State, Arkansans who are registered to vote are weighing in on presidential nominees, state, local, and judicial candidates, and ballot issues.
But you may be wondering about candidates who have suspended their campaigns and whether their names will still be on the March primary ballot— here's what to expect.
According to the Arkansas Board of Election Commissioners Director Chris Madison, the short answer to the question is “yes”, candidates who have dropped out of races may still have their names on the ballot.
This is due to timing and the distinct difference between formally withdrawing from an election versus simply suspending a campaign publicly.
Madison explained that when a candidate suspends a campaign, it’s more related to fundraising and letting voters know they are no longer choosing to pursue the office. In this circumstance, the candidate’s name is not removed from the ballot.
A candidate can only remove their name from a ballot by withdrawing formally.
This process involves filing a document stating their intent to withdraw with the county clerk or the secretary of state before the list of candidates is certified and presented to the county Board of Election Commissioners. For the 2024 primary, that deadline was December 4, 2023.
However, if a state or local candidate who failed to meet the formal withdrawal deadline should win the primary, the nominating party can replace them through a process called "Vacancy in Nomination".
In some cases, a candidate who suspends their campaign unofficially and wins the primary has the option to continue to the November general election.
So we can verify that unless a candidate formally withdraws before ballots are certified and presented to the Board of Election Commissioners, their name will still appear on the ballot.
Secretary of State Spokesman Chris Powell stated that none of the presidential candidates who have pulled out of the campaign has formally withdrawn, meaning they will appear on the March 5 Preferential Primary ballot.
If there is something you’d like us to verify, please reach out via email to verify@thv11.com or message us on social media.