Local Elections | Fort Smith, AR Please enable JavaScript in your browser for a better user experience. Fort Smith, AR Home Menu Search Services Calendar News Our City Get Involved Consent Decree Code of Ordinances Board Meetings Pay Bill Contact Us Get Updates Submit a Records Request Report An Issue CityView Portal Jobs Search CLOSE Search Search Home Community About the Fort Smith Community Fort Smith History Fort Smith Historic Districts Fort Smith's Sister Cities Downtown Fort Smith Adopt-a-Street Facilities & Event Venues Host an Event Facility Reservations Facility Rules & Regulations Fort Smith Profile Address Look-Up City Statistics City Ward Map Geographic Information Systems Fort Smith Metropolitan Area (FSMA) Housing Private Market Development Learning & Education Outreach Programs Educational Institutions Fort Smith Public Library News & Updates Get Updates Media Relations Cable Access Channel 214 Consent Decree Sales & Use Tax Vote Parks Parks Directory Parks Map Pools & Splash Pads Tree & Bench Donation Program Things to Do Community Events Trail System Trails & Greenways (DRAFT) Walking Trails Biking Fort Smith Trails Map Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Training Program Government About the City Municipality Mission, Vision, and Values City Organization Chart City Plans & Projects City Board of Directors Strategic Goals Future Fort Smith Comprehensive Plan Major Projects Departments City Administration Building Services Citizen Services City Clerk City Prosecuting Attorney Communications Community Development Community Mobility District Court Engineering Finance Fire Department Human Resources Information Technology Internal Audit Neigborhood Services Parks & Recreation Planning & Zoning Police Department Public Safety Communications (River Valley Communications Center) Public Works Purchasing Solid Waste Services Tourism Transit Water Resources Employment Apply for a Job with the City Apply for a Boards & Commissions Position Working with Fort Smith Featured Reports Leadership Mayor Board of Directors Commissions & Committees Board of Directors Meetings and Agendas Board of Directors Meetings Calendar Board of Directors Meeting Information Board Of Directors Meeting Archive Government (Commissions & Committees) Meetings Calendar Municipal Code (Laws) & Taxes Fort Smith Municipal Code Updates to Code of Ordinances Taxes Permits & Licenses Licenses Permits Online Permitting and Licensing (CityView) Public Records Staff Directory Contact Fort Smith Contact Leadership Department Contacts Resident Resources Bill Pay Pay Your City Utilities Bill Community Resources Cemeteries Citizens Fire Resources Find a Fire Station Safe Haven Baby Box Local Elections Neighborhood Services Parks Housing Rehab Assistance Non-Profit Community Development Block Grants (CDBG) Fair Housing Information Homelessness Social & Support Services Common Resident Permits Fort Smith FAQs Request Service Contact Animal Control Contact Fire Department Mosquito Control Program Report a Property Maintenance Concern Request Transit Curbside Service (Paratransit/Demand Response) Request Pickup for Large Household Items Request A New Recycling Cart Request A Trash Cart Request New Yard Waste Cart Public Records Request (FOIA) Missed Trash Collection City Water Service Request Police Report an Issue Fort Smith Click & Fix Transportation and Mobility Fort Smith Transit (Bus and Curbside Services) Community Mobility Parking Fort Smith Regional Airport Traffic Impacts City Utility Billing My Utilities Account Utilities Assistance Programs Sewer Rate Increases Waste & Recycling Management Residential Commercial Waste Industrial Waste Industrial Sewer Waste Landfill Holiday Schedule Citywide Clean Up Household Hazardous Waste Solid Waste Services FAQs Animal Ordinance Information Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Requests Building & Business Bill Pay Building & Development Permits Building & Development Codes Engineering Codes and Minimum Standards Contractors Building Safety FAQ Inspection Requirements Fire Ordinances Real Estate Housing Assistance and Grants Private Market Development Business License and Guidance Apply for a Business License Business Resources Business License FAQs Do Business with the City Register to Do Business with the City Bid & Contract Opportunities with the City Bid on Surplus Items City Planning Planning License Applications Check My Zoning Form Based Codes Unified Development Ordinance CityView Help CityView Walkthrough Guides CityView Portal Subpages Bill Pay + Pay Your City Utilities Bill Community Resources - 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The governing body consists of the mayor and seven directors. One director is elected from each ward, and the mayor and three at-large directors are elected citywide. Register to Vote Terms Each elected official serves a four-year term with elections held every other year. Currently, the mayor and at-large director terms expire in December 2026, and the ward director terms expire in December 2028. Candidacy Requirements To be nominated as a candidate for director or mayor, you will need to file two items with the City Clerk: A petition with the signatures of 50 qualified electors A statement of candidacy These items must be filed during the 7-day filing period in August of each general election year.  Effective in 2024, there is no longer a filing fee. Candidates for elected office must: Be at least 21 years of age; Be a resident of the city for at least 6 months; and, Be a registered voter. Ward directors must reside and be a registered voter of the ward in which they are a candidate. In the spring of each general election year, the City Clerk’s Office will provide candidate packets containing all necessary forms and information to run for elected office. A media release will be distributed and posted to the City’s website when candidate packets are available. If you are interested in running for office, please call or email the City Clerk's Office at (479)784-2208 or cityclerk@fortsmithar.gov . General Information If two (2) or more candidates file for an elected position, the name of each candidate will appear on the ballot of the general election held in November. If no candidate obtains a clear majority of votes at the general election, a runoff election will be held on the first Tuesday in December containing the names of the two (2) candidates with the most votes obtained at the general election. If only one candidate has filed and qualified for a position, the sole candidate will be declared elected without the necessity of putting their name on the ballot. More Information Learn more about Mayor George B. McGill View Board of Directors Meeting Information Contact the City of Fort Smith Quick links Apply For A Job Contact Us Contact Fire Department Contact Police Department Contact Citizen Services Pay My City Utility Bill Privacy Policy Report An Issue & Request Service Designed By Granicus - Connecting People and Government Close