Year: 2026
-
2025 sees record number of state justice vacancies
2025 state supreme court vacancy count Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in 52 state supreme courts across all 50 states. Since 2024, Ballotpedia has published an annual state supreme court vacancy count outlining vacancies that occurred within the past year. Number of vacancies In 2025, a record 26 vacancies occurred in 20 state supreme courts nationwide.…
-
Wyoming Supreme Court rules abortion is a healthcare decision right under 2012's Amendment A, which was proposed in response to Obamacare
The Wyoming Supreme Court ruled on Jan. 6, 2026, that abortion constitutes a healthcare decision protected under a constitutional provision guaranteeing the right to make one’s own healthcare decisions. On Nov. 6, 2012, voters approved Amendment A, which provided that "Each competent adult shall have the right to make his or her own health care…
-
An early look at state supreme court retention elections this year
This year, 32 states will hold elections for their state supreme courts. Fourteen of these states will hold retention elections, 12 will hold nonpartisan elections, and six will hold partisan elections. Retention elections are not like traditional elections, as a justice doesn't run against other candidates, but is subject to a yes-or-no vote. The most…
-
An early look at the most competitive state legislative chambers in 2026
Eighty-eight state legislative chambers will be up for election this year. Of these chambers, Republicans control 51, Democrats control 34, and three are held under divided government. Nationwide, Republicans hold 56 chambers, Democrats hold 40, and three are held under divided government. Both parties are looking to expand their majorities or gain control of chambers,…
-
Rep. Neal Dunn becomes the 47th U.S. House member who is not seeking re-election in 2026
Rep. Neal Dunn (R-Fla.) announced on Jan. 13, 2026, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. In a statement announcing his retirement, Dunn wrote, “The time has come to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my…
-
Fifty-five members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026
As of Jan. 12, 55 members of Congress — 46 representatives and nine senators — have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. That’s the most retirement announcements at this point in an election cycle since 2018. Since our Dec. 17 update, four representatives and one senator announced they will not seek re-election. Here’s…