By: David Luchs
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- 84 measures certified for statewide ballots, 11 fewer than even-year average
- Candidate Connection update: More from U.S. House candidates in Mississippi and North Carolina
- Nevada’s U.S. House races to have the fewest candidates per seat this year since at least 2018
84 measures certified for statewide ballots, 11 fewer than even-year average
Eighty-four statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 32 states so far this year, 11 less than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years from 2010 to 2020.
Here’s an update on the latest ballot measure activity:
One initiative was removed from the ballot following a court ruling:
Signatures have been submitted and are pending verification for two initiatives in California and North Dakota:
- California Art and Music K-12 Education Funding Initiative (2022)
- North Dakota Single-Subject and 60% Supermajority Approval Requirements for Constitutional Amendments Initiative (2022)
Enough signatures were verified for five initiatives in Alaska, Massachusetts, and Ohio to certify them to the legislature:
- Alaska State Recognition of American Indian Tribes Initiative (2022)
- Massachusetts App-Based Drivers as Contractors and Labor Policies Initiative (2022)
- Massachusetts Changes to Alcohol Retail Licensing Initiative (2022)
- Massachusetts Medical Loss Ratios for Dental Insurance Plans Initiative (2022)
- Ohio Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022)
From 2010 to 2020, the average number of statewide ballot measures certified in an even-numbered year was 164. By this time during even-numbered years from 2010 through 2020, an average of 94 statewide measures had been certified for the ballot.
Candidate Connection update: More from U.S. House candidates in Mississippi and North Carolina
Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey asks candidates for federal, state, and local office to share what motivates them on a personal and political level.
As of April 26, 2022, we’re covering 44 races with final candidate lists in which all candidates have completed our survey. Twelve of those races reached that milestone in the past week.
What’s new this week
This week, we’re featuring two primaries for U.S. House—a Democratic primary in Mississippi and a Republican primary in North Carolina.
Hunter Avery and Dianne Black are the two candidates on the Democratic primary ballot in Mississippi’s 1st Congressional District. Located in the state’s northeast corner, the 1st District leans towards Republicans, with three racetracking outlets rating the general election as Solid Republican. In 2020, incumbent Trent Kelly (R) defeated Antonia Eliason (D) 69% to 31%.
Here’s how both candidates answered the question, “Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?”
Hunter Avery:
“Everyone should be treated fairly and equally.
I proudly support everyone defending our nation and believe that even a single homeless veteran is too many.
If I am elected, I will fight against corruption no matter what side of the aisle it is coming from.”
Dianne Black:
“The American people deserve to have their tax dollars spent on stimulating our economy.
Mississippians need to be paid a living wage and have access to affordable Healthcare.
I support extending the 2021 Child Tax Credit.”
Pat Harrigan and Jonathan Simpson are the two candidates on the ballot in the Republican primary in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District. Encompassing the southern portion of Charlotte and areas to the west, this is a new congressional district created after North Carolina gained a seat in the 2020 round of apportionment. Two Democrats and two Republicans are running.
Here’s how both candidates answered the question, “What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?”
Pat Harrigan:
“I’m passionate about ending inflation and getting our economy back on track. That includes an aggressive approach to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that makes America energy independent.
My background as a combat veteran Green Beret gives me a unique perspective on the importance of national security, especially as it relates to the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan, the weakness on display in the face of Russian aggression, and other conflicts across the world. When America fails to lead, the world burns.
I’m also passionate about securing the border, dealing with our illegal immigration problem, protecting the 2nd Amendment, and election integrity.”
Jonathan Simpson:
“I am particularly passionate about education reform. I believe every parent should have the right to choose where to send their child to school and that the government education monopoly should be busted up. Education should be publicly funded, but privately operated, giving parents more choice, students better learning outcomes, teachers better pay and working environments, and the taxpayer a better return on investment. I am also passionate about the modernization of our tax scheme, compassionate immigration reform, and market-based health care reform. I am a big believer in American ingenuity, and I care deeply about investing in science, be it research for the sake of our environment, like nuclear power, or research for the sake of mankind’s common progress, like space exploration. There are no challenges that Americans cannot overcome, only opportunities that poor leadership might cause us to miss.”
About Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Some other details about the 44 races where all candidates have completed the survey:
- They are located in 17 states.
- Fourteen of the 44 races are taking place in Texas.
- Four of the 44 races are general elections.
- Of the 40 primaries and runoffs, 25 are for the Democratic nomination and 15 are for the Republican nomination.
- Twenty of the 44 are races for U.S. House.
Nevada’s U.S. House races to have the fewest candidates per seat this year since at least 2018
The filing deadline for candidates running for state or federal office in Nevada was March 18, 2022. Thirty-eight candidates are running in Nevada’s four U.S. House districts, including 21 Republicans, 12 Democrats, and five independent or third party candidates. That’s 9.5 candidates per district, less than the 10.0 candidates per district in 2020 and 10.5 candidates per district in 2018.
Here are some other highlights from this year’s filings:
- This is the first election to take place under new district lines following the 2020 census. Nevada was apportioned four congressional seats, the same number of seats it had after the 2010 census.
- All four incumbent representatives are running for re-election in the district they currently represent.
- Incumbent Rep. Steven Horsford (D) in Nevada’s 4th is the only incumbent not facing a primary challenger. Uncontested primaries in Nevada are canceled, so Horsford automatically advanced to the general election.
- The last open seat elections in Nevada took place in 2018 in Nevada’s 3rd and 4th districts.
- In 2012, the last election year after redistricting, there were two open seat elections.
- No districts are guaranteed to either party. Both Democratic and Republican candidates have filed to run in all four districts.
- Fourteen candidates are running in the 2nd district, more than any other district. Five Republicans, including incumbent Rep. Mark Amodei, seven Democrats, and two third party candidates have filed to run.
Nevada’s U.S. House primaries are scheduled for June 14, 2022. Candidates who receive the most votes in the primary will advance to the general election.