FRANKLIN COUNTY, Arkansas — A lawsuit filed on Oct. 6 is challenging Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders' timeline for the Arkansas Senate District 26 special election.

The District 26 seat was left vacant after Sen. Gary Stubblefield died on Sept. 2. District 26 includes portions of Franklin, Johnson, Logan, and Sebastian counties.

Sanders initially issued a proclamation on Sept. 26 that said the special primary would be held on March 3, 2026, and the general election to fill the seat would be Nov. 3, 2026.

After the decision to hold an election over a year after Stubblefield's passing sparked backlash, she decided to move the general election to June 9, 2026 .

Sanders said the initial decision for the November 2026 election was made in part to save money and streamline the process, but com

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