Four states have consolidated municipal or school board elections statewide since 2022
Each state has different rules for when general elections for municipal offices and school boards are held. Some states set a particular date for these elections, while others allow municipalities to choose their election days.
Nine states mandate consolidated municipal elections, meaning municipal elections must take place alongside a statewide primary or general election. Twenty-four states require municipal elections to be held at times other than statewide elections. Seventeen states allow municipalities to choose their election dates.
Thirteen states require consolidated elections for school board races, while 21 states require school board elections to be held on a different election date. In 15 states, school board election timing is determined at the local level or varies by type of school district, while Hawaii does not hold local school board elections.
Some states have moved to require local elections to be held at the same time as statewide elections. Since 2022, Arkansas, Louisiana, New York, and West Virginia have enacted laws mandating the consolidation of elections statewide.
In 2025, seven states enacted 10 bills dealing with election alignment. In 2024, four states enacted four such bills, and in 2023, 15 states enacted 30 bills.
Exploring how candidates get on your ballot
This week, we shared the third installment in our project marking America's 250th anniversary: The Blueprints of Democracy.
In 1755, a 23-year-old George Washington decided to make his first run for elected office, seeking a seat representing Fairfax County in the Virginia House of Burgesses.
But behind that tale are some lesser-known details about how candidates were chosen at that time in our history:
It is unclear if Washington knew beforehand that his name was submitted. Voting took place by voice with the voter announcing to the crowd their vote. During this first election, Washington only received 40 votes. There were two other candidates; Hugh West received 271 votes and Thomas Swearingen got 270. Washington kept a copy of the poll sheet, which listed how each person voted, his entire life.
How candidates appear on the ballot has changed markedly since then. Candidates have to meet residency, age, and citizenship requirements, such as those found for members of Congress in the Constitution’s Qualifications Clause. But these qualifications only tell part of the story about ballot access.
The rules vary by state, by the office someone wants to run for, and sometimes by party.
Alabama voters to decide two constitutional amendments related to the pledge of allegiance and school prayer
Alabama voters will decide on two constitutional amendments related to the pledge of allegiance and student-led school prayer on Nov. 3.
In Alabama, constitutional amendments require a 60% majority vote in both chambers. Currently, Republicans have a Republican trifecta, in which the party controls the governorship and both legislative chambers.
The first amendment, House Bill 511 (HB 511), would require each local board of education to adopt a policy for every public K-12 school to conduct the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag. HB 511 would also require each local board of education to allow for student-led prayer. According to the amendment, a student must initiate and lead the prayer, and no student would be required to participate. The amendment also says that any policies local boards of education adopt should allow students to opt out of the pledge of allegiance or prayer.
The second amendment, Senate Bill 5 (SB 5), would require all public schools to broadcast or arrange for the performance of the first stanza of the Star-Spangled Banner at least once per week.
Both measures join three other constitutional amendments on the Nov. 3 Alabama ballot. Alabama voters will also decide on two constitutional amendments on May 19.