TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING MUNICIPALITIES CHOOSING TO ELECT COUNCIL MEMBERS; AND TO REQUIRE FILING OF THE ORDINANCE DESCRIBING THE ELECTION OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS WITH THE COUNTY CLERK.

SB 297 requires Arkansas municipalities that elect city council members by ward (instead of at-large) to file an ordinance describing their election method with the county clerk by specific deadlines. Cities of the first class must file by January 1, 2026, while other cities must file by August 31 of the year before the election. If a municipality fails to file the required ordinance by the deadline, its council members will be elected at large (without wards) instead of by ward. This bill standardizes the filing process and ensures consistency in municipal election procedures across Arkansas.