Welcome to the Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2024, Brew.
By: Ethan Rice
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- How Trump compared to other statewide Republicans on the ballot in 2024
- Nineteen states have election certification deadlines this month
- State supreme court vacancy count for October 2024
How Trump compared to other statewide Republicans on the ballot in 2024
Split-ticket voting, also known as ticket splitting, occurs when voters choose candidates from different parties in a single election. For example, a voter may select a presidential candidate from one party and candidates from a different party for other elections.
In the 61 elections for governor, attorney general, secretary of state, and U.S. Senate held this year, President-elect Donald Trump (R) received more votes than 40 other statewide Republican candidates and fewer votes than 21. Vice President Kamala Harris (D) received more votes than 36 Democratic candidates and fewer votes than 25.
Vermont’s gubernatorial election had the largest percentage difference in votes between the presidential candidate of one party and a statewide candidate of another party. Governor Phil Scott (R) received 77% of the vote, while Trump received 34% in the state.
The races in which a Republican candidate received more votes than Trump with the widest vote margins were U.S. Senate in Connecticut (261,922 votes), U.S. Senate in Maryland (237,249 votes), U.S. Senate in California (223,073 votes), Washington gubernatorial (218,288 votes), and Washington attorney general (218,288 votes).
The races in which Trump received more votes than another Republican candidate with the widest vote margins were North Carolina gubernatorial (651,341 votes), U.S. Senate in Texas (401,942 votes), U.S. Senate in New York (315,944 votes), U.S. Senate in Ohio (312,945 votes), and U.S. Senate in Minnesota (227,320 votes).
For Harris, the races in which a Democratic candidate received more votes with the widest vote margins were North Carolina gubernatorial (352,352 votes), U.S. Senate in Texas (196,065 votes), North Carolina attorney general (158,475 votes), U.S. Senate in Minnesota (135,459 votes), and North Carolina secretary of state (122,191 votes).
The races in which Harris received more votes than another Democratic candidate with the widest vote margins were U.S. Senate in Maryland (231,915 votes), Montana attorney general (231,821 votes), Pennsylvania attorney general (231,805 votes), U.S. Senate in California (213,867 votes), and Vermont gubernatorial (156,562 votes).
In the 33 states that held U.S. Senate elections this year:
- Harris received more votes than 18 Democratic Senate candidates and fewer votes than 15.
- Trump received more votes than 25 Republican Senate candidates and fewer votes than eight.
In the 11 states holding gubernatorial elections this year:
- Harris received more votes than seven Democratic gubernatorial candidates and fewer votes than four.
- Trump received more votes than five Republican gubernatorial candidates and fewer votes than six.
In the 10 attorney general elections this year:
- Harris received more votes than six Democratic attorney general candidates and fewer votes than four.
- Trump received more votes than six Republican attorney general candidates and fewer votes than four.
In the seven states that held secretary of state elections:
- Harris received more votes than five Democratic secretary of state candidates and fewer votes than two.
- Trump received more votes than four Republican secretary of state candidates and fewer votes than three.
To see more analysis of the thousands of elections that have taken place this year, check out our 8th annual Election Analysis Hub, where you can find information on topics like this and much more.
Nineteen states have election certification deadlines this month
The election may be over, and seven states have already sworn in new legislators, but most states are still generating official results. The election results issued on election night are unofficial, partial results. After election night, results are finalized during what is called the canvassing and certification of the vote.
Nineteen states and the District of Columbia have state certification deadlines this month, and another 21 have deadlines in December. Seven states–Delaware, Vermont, South Dakota, Oklahoma, Wyoming, South Carolina, and Indiana–have already canvassed and certified their election results.
Canvassing and certification occur at the local and state levels. State laws set timelines for these processes. In some states, certification dates for presidential electors vary from deadlines for other offices. Certification dates in some states could change due to recounts.
Depending on the state, official certification of the election may occur at the finalization of the canvass or at a separate certification meeting:
- Four states had state certification dates within one week of the election.
- Twenty-two states have state certification dates between Nov. 13 and Nov. 30.
- Twenty states have state certification dates in December.
- Four states do not have state certification dates specified in statute.
See the chart below for specific certification dates for each state.
Click the link below to learn more about state election certification deadlines.
State supreme court vacancy count for October 2024
In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from Oct. 1 to Nov. 1. Ballotpedia follows court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. For Nov. 5 state supreme court election results, click here.
Announced retirements:
One justice resigned in October. Robert Brutinel stepped down from the Arizona Supreme Court on Oct. 31. Former Gov. Jan Brewer (R) appointed Brutinel in 2010. He assumed office the same year. Brutinel faced retention in 2014 and 2020, successfully winning two six-year terms. Brutinel served as chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court from July 1, 2019, until July 1, 2024.
The Arizona Commission on Appellate Court Appointments—the judicial commission in charge of compiling candidates, vetting applicants, and sending a list of finalists to the governor—released a list of 17 candidates who had applied to replace Brutinel on Nov. 1. The commission will determine the qualified candidates and send a list of finalists to Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) for the final appointment. Hobbs will be the first Democratic governor to appoint a justice since former Gov. Janet Napolitano (D) appointed Scott Bales to the state’s highest court in 2005. The commission will meet later this month to review applications.
Candidates appointed:
On Oct. 25, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) officially appointed Nebraska Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Funke to replace outgoing Chief Justice Michael Heavican. Governor Dave Heineman (R) appointed Heavican chief justice in 2006. Following his initial appointment, voters retained Heavican three times: in 2010, 2016, and 2022. Heavican stepped down on Oct. 31.
Funke became chief justice on Nov. 1, vacating his seat as an associate justice. Former Gov. Pete Ricketts (R) originally appointed Funke in 2016. Funke took office the same year. Funke faced a retention election in 2020 and won with 79% of the vote. Funke will serve as chief justice until he faces retention in 2028.
Funke was Pillen’s first appointment to the state’s supreme court, but since Funke is already on the court, Pillen will have a second opportunity to appoint Funke’s replacement. As of Nov. 1, no replacement had been named, nor had the Nebraska Judicial Nominating Commission named any candidates who applied for the associate justice position.
As an associate justice, Funke served as justice for the fifth district, which includes most of southeast Nebraska, excluding Lancaster County (which has its own district). Funke’s replacement will serve until 2029 and will be able to stand for retention in 2028.
Click the link below to learn more about state supreme court vacancies across the country.
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