More than 230 candidates for local, state and national races have filed paperwork at the state Capitol for the 2016 elections as of Monday afternoon.
According to the Arkansas secretary of state's office, 138 of those candidate filings are dated Monday.
Nonpartisan judicial candidates had the option of submitting petitions with voter signatures in September to avoid filing fees, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported.
Among the candidates who filed online is former Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is vying to be president. Huckabee arrived in Little Rock after a trip to Iowa about an hour before marking the official start of his campaign in writing.
In-state paperwork was also filed on behalf of other Republican presidential challengers, including former neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, Ohio Gov. John Kasich and U.S Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas.
A state representative for Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders' campaign was also at the Capitol on Monday filling out paperwork.
Former federal prosecutor Conner Eldridge, surrounded by his children, made his bid official Monday challenging U.S. Sen. John Boozman's seat.
Eldridge resigned as U.S. attorney for the Western District of Arkansas in August.
Libertarian Frank Gilbert of Tull is also vying for the U.S. Senate, according to candidate filings Monday.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that 242 state and federal offices are up for election in 2016. Also up for election next year are two state Supreme Court seats, four Court of Appeals positions, 19 circuit judge seats, a prosecuting attorney spot and 92 district judge posts.
Candidate filing ends at noon Nov. 9. The party primary election and nonpartisan judicial and prosecuting attorney general election are set for March 1, followed by the general election Nov. 8, 2016.
Read Tuesday's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.
