Government in Arkansas

Local governments have the most direct impact on citizens’ daily lives. Decision makers in municipalities and counties strongly influence a community’s most basic services, including water utilities, waste disposal, polling places, and tax collection. In addition, citizens are more likely to have direct contact with a representative of local government.

Quorum Court

The quorum court is the county legislative assembly. Quorum courts in Arkansas are now composed of no fewer than nine and not more than 15 members, depending on the population of the county. The quorum court, through its authority to fix the number and compensation of deputies and county employees and its responsibility for appropriating all county funds, has considerable power to organize the general operation of county government.

The county judge, the county’s chief executive, presides over the quorum court. Justices of the peace (JPs) are members of the quorum court. Washington County has 15 JPs. JPs must be qualified electors and residents of the districts from which they are elected. Unlike most Arkansas public officials, JPs are not required to meet additional age or residency requirements. This means a JP could be as young as 18 years old. The qualified voters of their districts elect JPs, and they serve two-year terms. Quorum court vacancies are filled by appointment by the governor.

The quorum court must provide certain necessary services for its citizens including the administration of justice through the courts, law enforcement protection, real and personal property tax administration, keeping court and public records, and management of the county's solid waste. The quorum court may also provide agricultural services, community and rural development services, county planning, parks, libraries, museums, civic centers, public campgrounds, emergency services, fire protection, juvenile services, pollution control, public health, recycling services, transportation, water, sewer, and other utility services.

County Officers

The Arkansas Constitutions authorizes nine county officers, although not all counties have all nine: county judge, county clerk, circuit clerk, sheriff, county collector, county treasurer, county assessor, county coroner, and county surveyor. All serve four-year terms. Except for the county judge, the only qualifications for these offices are that candidates must be residents of the county and qualified electors. The county judge must also be at least 25 years of age, a citizen of the United States, “a person of upright character, of good business education, and a resident of the county at the time of his election and during his continuance in office.”

Municipalities are cities and towns that have corporate status and local governance. Today there are over 400 active incorporated cities and towns in Arkansas, including thirteen in Washington County. Three forms of municipal government are used in Arkansas: mayor-council (also called aldermanic), city manager, and city administrator. All of the cities and towns in Washington County use the mayor-council form of government. 

The corporate authority of a town or city using the mayor-council form of government rests with an elected mayor, an elected council, and such other elected or appointed officials as authorized by law. There are no special qualifications for those running for city office except that they must be residents of the city or town. 

The mayor of a city is its “chief executive officer and conservator of its peace.” The city or town council is responsible for management and control of the municipality’s finances and of all real and personal property belonging to the town. It has legislative authority to enact ordinances “necessary for the good government of the city and for the due exercise of its corporate power.” (A.C.A. 14-43-502)

Legislative Branch

Following the national legislative model, Arkansas’ legislative branch has a Senate and a House of Representatives, collectively known as the Arkansas General Assembly. There are thirty-five senators and 100 representatives. Senators serve four-year terms and representatives serve two-year terms. 

Executive Branch

Unlike the national government’s single-executive structure, Arkansas has a plural executive structure. Arkansas governors, on the other hand, must work within a plural executive setting with other elected executive officials. 

Arkansas has seven constitutional officers, including Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer of State, Auditor of State and Attorney General, Land Commissioner, and Lieutenant Governor. 

Judicial Branch

Arkansas’ court system has two types of jurisdiction: original and appellate. Original jurisdiction means that a court has the power to be the first judicial body to hear a case. No verdict has been recorded in the case before it reaches the court. Appellate jurisdiction means that a case has been heard before, and an official ruling has been rendered. It is this ruling that is reviewed by the court. In addition, appellate jurisdiction is usually discretionary. 

Arkansas judicial selections are non-partisan. Prosecuting attorneys are also chosen in this manner. Elected officials in the Arkansas judiciary are not term-limited but can hold office as long they maintain public support.