06/08/2026
June 8, 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Court Dismisses Election Challenge, Affirms Saline County Election Officials and Recount Process
SALINE COUNTY, AR — After a full hand recount, a full trial, and a thorough review of the evidence, the result remains the same: the election was accurate, the recount was accurate, and the allegations against Saline County election officials were without merit.
On June 8, 2026, Pulaski County Circuit Judge Tim Fox dismissed with prejudice the election challenge filed following the March 31 Republican Primary Runoff for Arkansas Secretary of State. In his ruling, Judge Fox found that the plaintiff failed to prove any of the allegations raised against the Saline County Board of Election Commissioners and described the challenge to the recount procedure and vote tally as “specious, ill-founded, and wholly without merit.”
The Court further found that the members of the Saline County Board of Election Commissioners performed their statutory duties during the recount process “in an exemplary fashion.”
The facts are straightforward.
A total of 6,970 ballots were hand counted during the Saline County recount. Every vote was recounted. Every ballot was reviewed. When the process was complete, the recount matched the original certified election results exactly.
Saline County was one of six counties where a recount was conducted. All six counties reported identical results between the original vote totals and the recount totals.
The Court specifically noted these facts in its ruling and further found that the election protocols and training methodologies used for recounts were sufficient and effective.
“This ruling confirms what we have said from the very beginning,” said Saline County Clerk Doug Curtis. “Our election officials followed the law, our poll workers did their jobs, and the results were accurate. The recount confirmed it. The evidence presented at trial confirmed it. And now the Court has confirmed it.”
Saline County extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Saline County Board of Election Commissioners, the staff of the Saline County Clerk’s Office, and the many poll workers who worked long hours to conduct a secure, transparent, and accurate election. Their professionalism, dedication, and commitment to public service made this successful election and recount possible.
Saline County Elections are Accurate. Saline County Elections are Secure.
With this challenge now behind us, we can fully dedicate our attention to the upcoming November General Election. The recount has been completed. The courts have spoken. Now our focus returns to what matters most—conducting another secure, accurate, and transparent election for the voters of Saline County.
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