A Jefferson County lawsuit seeking to disqualify Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr. from appearing on the 2026 ballot has been dismissed with prejudice by a special circuit judge.
Special Judge William Randall Wright issued the order following a March 6 hearing in Pine Bluff. The case was brought by Mark Cannon, who asked the court to declare Woods constitutionally ineligible to seek reelection.
Cannon alleged that Woods had a prior conviction that would qualify as an “infamous crime” under the Arkansas Constitution, potentially barring him from holding public office. However, according to the court’s order, Cannon declined to present witnesses or offer proof in support of his claim during the hearing.
At Cannon’s request, the court ordered local clerks to provide any records of convictions, sealed or unsealed, for in camera review. The Jefferson County Circuit Clerk and both divisions of the Jefferson County District Court later confirmed by letter that no applicable records existed for Woods.
The court found that Cannon failed to present competent evidence that Woods has any criminal conviction or guilty plea that would disqualify him from office.
As a result, the petition was dismissed with prejudice as to all claims and all parties, effectively ending the case.
With the dismissal, Woods remains eligible to appear on the 2026 ballot.
