PULASKI COUNTY, Arkansas — The Arkansas Supreme Court has denied Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ request to pause a lower court ruling in a dispute over when to hold the special election for Senate District 26 .

The senate seat was left vacant in September after the passing of Sen. Gary Stubblefield. Sanders initially issued a proclamation that said the primary would be held on March 3, 2026, and the general election to fill the seat would be Nov. 3, 2026, but that sparked backlash and prompted her to move the general election to June 9, 2026.

Residents still expressed concern that the June election date was too long to go without elected representation, and that Arkansas law required a special election be held within 150 days.

One resident, Colt Shelby, filed a lawsuit against Sanders,

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