Category2022 elections

Previewing Alaska’s second U.S. House election of 2022

By Amee LaTour
In 2022 elections, Federal
October 13, 2022 at 11:57 AM

Incumbent Rep. Mary Peltola (D), Nicholas Begich III (R), Sarah Palin (R), and Chris Bye (L) are running for Alaska’s at-large congressional district on Nov. 8, 2022. Peltola, Begich, Palin, and Tara Sweeney (R) advanced from the Aug. 16, 2022, top-four primary. Sweeney withdrew, meaning Bye, the fifth-place finisher, advanced.

Peltola won the special general election also held on August 16. Former Rep. Don Young (R), who’d held office since 1973, died in March 2022. Peltola, Begich, and Palin ran in the special election, which used ranked-choice voting (RCV). The regular election will also use RCV.

Peltola (D) served in the Alaska House of Representatives from 1999 to 2009 and was interim executive director of the Kuskokwim River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission ahead of the special election. Peltola said, “To summarize our campaign in one sentence: I’m pro-jobs, pro-choice, pro-fish, and pro-family.” Peltola said she represents all Alaskans and is working to advance bills Young supported.

Begich (R) founded a technology development company and co-founded a company that invests in startups. He co-chaired the Alaska Republican Party Finance Committee and Young’s 2020 re-election campaign. Begich said he’d make “the business case for Alaska” and that he is equipped to help improve the economy by cutting spending and controlling taxes.

Palin (R) served as governor of Alaska from 2006 to 2009 and was John McCain’s (R) vice presidential running mate in 2008. Palin is campaigning on her previous experience in office and says she has the “grit to match anti-Alaskans like AOC, Pelosi, and Biden.”

Bye (L), an Army veteran and fishing guide, said in his response to Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, “I am running because both primary political parties have run this nation into the ground. They both have forsaken Freedom and Liberty by transitioning away from governance and towards activism and corporate protectionism.”

Begich and Palin have asked their supporters to rank themselves first and the other Republican candidate second on their ballots, saying the state needs a Republican U.S. representative.

Begich and Palin have also criticized one another. Begich criticized Palin’s TV appearances and said Alaska voters are “looking for someone who’s serious about the state.”

Palin called Begich “Negative Nick” regarding his campaign ads opposing her and said that “the people of Alaska are disgusted by this negative campaigning.”

In the August special election, Peltola received 40% of the vote to Palin’s 31% and Begich’s 29% on the first round of tallying. After votes from those who chose Begich as their first choice were redistributed, Peltola defeated Palin 51.5% to 48.5%.

The 2022 elections are the first to use the state’s election system that voters approved via ballot measure in 2020, involving top-four primaries and RCV general elections.

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 118th Congress. All 435 House districts are up for election. As of Oct. 10, Democrats held a 220-212 majority in the U.S. House with three vacancies. Republicans need to gain a net of five districts to win a majority in the chamber.

Donald Trump (R) defeated Joe Biden (D) in Alaska 53.1% to 43% in the 2020 presidential election.

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All candidates for California Controller complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
October 13, 2022 at 11:21 AM

Both candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for California Controller—Malia Cohen (D) and Lanhee Chen (R)—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

The California State Controller is an elected state executive office established by the California Constitution. The controller acts as the state’s accountant and bookkeeper, tracking and controlling disbursement of state funds from the treasury. The controller also administers the Uniform State Payroll System, audits various state and local government programs, and disburses state aid to lower-level governments.

Here are excerpts from the candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Cohen:

“I am passionate about issues involving justice and equity. I want to create a fair and transparent financial system in the state that delivers on its promises to building a California where everyone thrives. This means holding corporations accountable for paying their fair share and improving state technological infrastructure to create a system that everyone can use. I have done this throughout my career and will continue to do so as the next Controller.”

Chen:

“I have a deep passion for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and government accountability. I believe that sunshine is the best disinfectant, and if we give Californians true and full transparency into how their tax dollars are spent, they will demand a more accountable and efficient state government. As Controller, I will put an end to the Sacramento excuses and produce results.”

Click here to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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All candidates for Kentucky’s 30th Circuit Court Division 4 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
October 11, 2022 at 4:27 PM

Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Kentucky’s 30th Circuit Court Division 4 — incumbent Julie Kaelin and Ebert Haegele  — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

Kentucky District Courts are trial courts of limited jurisdiction in Kentucky. Matters heard by the district courts include city and county ordinance violations, juvenile matters, traffic offenses, misdemeanors, probate, preliminary felony hearings, small claims and civil cases involving $4,000 or less. Along with the family courts, the district courts hear cases of domestic violence. 

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?            

Kaelin:           

  • “EXPERIENCE. I have broad experience. I have been a Public Defender. I have represented victims. I have been a civil lawyer.”
  • “PROGRESS. Courts should work for the people, not the other way around. I believe in transparency, accountability, and equity. I want people to have faith in our court system and understand it better.”
  • “A NEW DAY. Louisville used to elect the same people over and over again: usually white, usually male, usually government lawyers.I ran in 2018 to prove that Louisville wanted something different. And we did it.”

Haegele:           

  • “I have the experience needed to be a fair and just Circuit Court Judge”
  • “The Citizens of Louisville need and deserve hard working judges-my work ethic and track record show that I will come to work early, leave late, and do everything in my power to make our courts work for those they serve.”
  • “Judges must be loyal to the law and nothing else. Real change comes about not by pushing a personal agenda, but by following the law and seeing that everyone who comes before our courts is treated with equity and respect.”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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All candidates for Missouri House of Representatives District 65 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
October 11, 2022 at 4:25 PM

Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Missouri House of Representatives District 65 — Eric Nowicki (D) and Wendy Hausman (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

Eighty-eight of the country’s 99 state legislative chambers will hold regularly scheduled elections in 2022. The Republican Party controls both chambers of Missouri’s state legislature. Missouri is one of 23 states with a Republican party trifecta.

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?            

Nowicki:       

  • “Lower Taxes: I want to focus on lowering or removing the sales tax, which each person pays equally but has a greater effect on lower income families the most we all need food and toilet paper.”
  • “Lower Utility Costs: Utility costs continue to increase for all Missourians, which means less money in your pocket every day.”
  • “Elderly Assistance and Caregiver Support: Taking care of the elderly among us has increasingly become the responsibility of their children and this has caused great strain on families as they juggle careers, kids and taking care of parents.”

Hausman:       

  • “As a conservative, I will stand strong against burdening tax payers with over taxation practices. Missouri has more money on hand than ever before. I will work hard to push back against the Biden economy that is steering us into a recession, by lowering Missouri taxes.”
  • “As a legislator, I will continue to encourage small business growth by removing regulations which interfere with expansion and continue to improve workforce development throughout our state.”
  • “I will stand strong to defend and protect the Constitution including the 2nd amendment”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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All candidates for Kansas House of Representatives District 64 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
October 11, 2022 at 4:22 PM

Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Kansas House of Representatives District 64 — Patricia Smetana (D) and Lewis Bloom (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

Eighty-eight of the country’s 99 state legislative chambers will hold regularly scheduled elections in 2022. The Republican Party controls both chambers of Kansas’s state legislature. Kansas is one of 13 states with a divided government.

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?            

Smetana:   

  • “Support immediate tax cuts with reasonable and actionable solutions to aid our farmers, small business owners, and families; while stimulating and attracting business growth and expansion.”
  • “Support FULL funding for general & special education, with emphasis on FULL support for our educators, staffing, and retention”
  • “Increase access to healthcare in rural and local communities, support the implementing of programs like Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE); FULLY support expansion of Medicaid.”

Bloom:       

  • “Kansas agriculture is better represented.”
  • “Public officials should be held to the same standard as the everyday people of Kansas.”
  • “Cutting burdensome regulations and lowering taxes.”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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All candidates for Williamson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 in Texas complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Ballotpedia staff
In 2022 elections
October 11, 2022 at 4:20 PM

Both of the candidates running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Williamson County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 in Texas — Stacy Hackenberg (D) and Rhonda Redden (R)  — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. 

According to the Williamson County website, justices of the peace “serve both as Judges and Magistrates. As Judges, they preside over justice criminal court, and justice civil court. Criminal cases include but are not limited to traffic cases, school attendance cases, minor alcohol violation cases, and minor tobacco violation cases… As magistrates, Justices of the Peace issue warrants, conduct criminal examining trials, admonish prisoners, and set bonds.”

Here are excerpts from candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?            

Hackenberg:           

“Education. I hear truancy cases regularly. I work with schools, students, and parents to ensure a positive outcome. Working with schools means ensuring they understand the filing process and don’t wait until a student’s missed many classes, making getting caught up harder. Working with students means impressing upon them the importance of their education and listening to their concerns.”

Redden:           

“The courtroom is a place where objectivity and impartiality are essential. It should provide an objective and neutral legal system to the public it serves. The JP is responsible to both the victim and offender, the plaintiff and defendant, and it is essential to give a fair and equitable hearing to all involved. The JP Court should hear and weigh evidence and/or testimony from all involved sides and then apply rulings fairly, responsibly, and in accordance with the law.”

Click on candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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Delaware Supreme Court ends no-excuse mail ballots, same-day voter registration

By Joel Williams
In 2022 elections
October 11, 2022 at 11:11 AM

On Oct. 7, 2022, the Delaware Supreme Court issued a ruling in Albence v. Biggin and Mennella, finding that a state law permitting no-excuse mail-in voting and same-day voter registration was unconstitutional. Voters may now only receive mail ballots under certain conditions and the deadline to register to vote in the Nov. 8 general election will be Oct. 15.

The majority-Democratic state legislature passed the legislation allowing both no-excuse mail-in voting and same-day registration passed this summer. Legislators passed the laws after votes to put them on the ballot as a constitutional amendment failed.

In a response to the ruling, a spokesman for Gov. John Carney (D) said, “The governor’s position has been simple and consistent,. We should make it easier – not harder – for all eligible Delawareans to vote and participate in our democratic process.”

Jane Brady, Delaware Republican Party chair, said, “I am very pleased that the court recognized the language of the constitution means something and it was important that the ruling they issued was supported by law.”

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Jamie McLeod-Skinner and Lori Chavez-DeRemer are running for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District

By Juan Garcia de Paredes
In 2022 elections
October 10, 2022 at 11:40 AM

Jamie McLeod-Skinner and Lori Chavez-DeRemer are running in the November 8, 2022, general election for Oregon’s 5th Congressional District. Incumbent Kurt Schrader (D), who was first elected in 2008, ran for re-election. He lost to McLeod-Skinner in the Democratic primary on May 17, 2022.

FiveThirtyEight’s Geoffrey Skelley and Ryan Best said, “[Democratic primary voters] ousted longtime centrist Rep. Kurt Schrader and backed progressive Jamie McLeod-Skinner in this D+3 seat, which has potentially boosted the chances of Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer.”

The Oregonian’s Grant Stringer called the race “one of a pair that could be the closest of their kind in Oregon in a generation.”

McLeod-Skinner is an attorney and regional emergency manager. In her responses to Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, McLeod-Skinner said she is “committed to lowering the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs, helping families in this difficult economy, and implementing proven solutions to tackle crime.” McLeod-Skinner has criticized Chavez-DeRemer’s position on abortion. “My opponent would ban access to abortion before a woman know she’s pregnant. My opponent is trying to take away our reproductive rights; I will defend them,” McLeod-Skinner said.

Chavez-DeRemer, a businesswoman and the former mayor of Happy Valley, Oregon, has focused on economic issues and law enforcement. Chavez-DeRemer said, “I will keep our taxes low, fully fund our police, and expand educational opportunities for our children.” On law enforcement, DeRemer said McLeod-Skinner would reduce funding for police departments. “My opponent wants to fully defund the police. She has marched in the defund the police movements three times,” Chavez-DeRemer said.

Oregon’s 5th district was redrawn after the 2020 census. The redrawn district stretches from southeast Portland to Bend and includes parts of Clackamas, Deschutes, Linn, Marion, and Multnomah counties. According to The Cook Political Report and FiveThirtyEight, the partisan composition of the district did not change significantly after redistricting.

In the 2020 presidential election, President Joe Biden (D) received 53.6% of the 5th District’s vote to former President Donald Trump’s (R) 43.9%. According to data from Daily Kos, the redrawn 5th District voted for Biden 53.2% to 44.4%.

As of June 2022, 33% of registered voters in the redrawn district were non-affiliated, 33% were Democrats, 28% were Republicans, and 7% were registered with a third party.

The outcome of this race will affect the partisan balance of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 118th Congress. All 435 House districts are up for election. As of September 30, 2022, Democrats held a 220-212 majority in the U.S. House with three vacancies. 



Measures to repeal constitutional language on slavery and indentured servitude as criminal punishments are on the ballot in five states this November

By Nicole Fisher
In 2022 elections
October 10, 2022 at 11:22 AM

On November 8, 2022, voters in five states—Alabama, Louisiana, Oregon, Tennessee, and Vermont—will decide on amending their state constitutions to repeal language regarding the use of slavery or indentured servitude as punishment for a crime, or, in the case of Vermont, for the payments of debts, damages, fines, costs.

The ballot questions are below:

  1. Alabama Recompiled Constitution Ratification Question: Ratifies an updated and recompiled state constitution, which was adopted by the legislature following voter approval of Amendment 4 in 2020. The proposed constitution repeals language that provides for involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.
  2. Louisiana Amendment 7: Removes language in the state constitution that provides for slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for a crime and instead says that slavery and involuntary servitude are prohibited, except that this cannot be applied to otherwise lawful administration of criminal justice.
  3. Oregon Measure 112: Repeals language providing for slavery or involuntary servitude as criminal punishments.
  4. Tennessee Amendment 3: Repeals language providing for slavery or involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment.
  5. Vermont Proposal 2: Repeals language stating that persons could be held as servants, slaves, or apprentices with the person’s consent or “for the payments of debts, damages, fines, costs, or the like” and adds language saying that “slavery and indentured servitude in any form are prohibited.”

The Thirteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution—which was ratified on December 6, 1865—prohibited slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States, except as a punishment for those convicted of crimes. The text of the Thirteenth Amendment reads:

1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

As of 2022, 10 state constitutions included provisions prohibiting enslavement and involuntary servitude but with an exception for criminal punishments, while nine states had constitutions that included provisions permitting involuntary servitude, but not slavery, as a criminal punishment.

The states with constitutions that include provisions regarding slavery and involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment are Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, Oregon, Tennessee, and Wisconsin.

The states with constitutions that include provisions regarding involuntary servitude, but not slavery, as criminal punishment, are Alabama, California, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, North Carolina, and Ohio.

Vermont is the only state that has a constitutional provision regarding involuntary servitude to pay a debt, damage, fine, or cost.

Nebraska, Utah, and Colorado put measures on the ballot to remove language from their state constitutions regarding the use of slavery and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments. These amendments were approved in Nebraska and Utah in 2020, and in Colorado in 2018.



Adrian Fontes (D) and Mark Finchem (R) running for Arizona secretary of state

By Janie Valentine
In 2022 elections
October 10, 2022 at 11:17 AM

Adrian Fontes (D) and Mark Finchem (R) are running for Arizona secretary of state on Nov. 8, 2022. Incumbent Katie Hobbs (D) is running for governor of Arizona.

Duties of the Arizona secretary of state include serving as the state’s chief election officer and keeping the state’s official records. As Arizona is one of five states that does not have a lieutenant governor position, the secretary of state also serves as acting governor when the governor is out of state and is first in the gubernatorial line of succession.

Fontes served as Maricopa County Recorder from 2017 to 2021. In his response to Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, Fontes highlighted his experience as county recorder, saying that he had “revolutionized Arizona’s elections by registering half a million new voters, providing direct outreach to traditionally underserved communities, and making voting free, fair, and accessible to all.” Fontes’ campaign website also says he “enhanced ballot tracking technology and increased process transparency[.]” The website says Fontes is “committed to preserving integrity in our elections, increasing transparency in the Secretary of State’s office, making voting easier for registered voters, and ensuring that Arizona’s business community has a partner in the Secretary’s office.”

Finchem was first elected to represent Arizona House of Representatives District 11 in 2014 and was re-elected three times. Finchem’s campaign ads highlight former President Donald Trump’s (R) endorsement, as well as Finchem’s response to the 2020 presidential election in Arizona. One ad says that “[w]hen Arizonans had concerns about their election, Mark Finchem had the courage to hold the Maricopa hearing that led to the Arizona audit” and says that Finchem “filed legislation to set aside the irredeemably compromised elections in three counties with large margins of error.” Finchem says he will “support law enforcement, clean the voter rolls for accuracy, prosecute fraud, secure [Arizona] elections, increase transparency, communicate with voters, and count all legal votes.”

Fontes’ campaign website says, “… Finchem will take away our right to vote, he will end vote by mail, he will overturn election results if he sees fit, and his radical agenda will threaten our economy. Mark Finchem is a member of the Oath Keepers, an extremist hate group who wants to overthrow the government. … If elected, Finchem would, as the official who oversees the state office administering the 2024 presidential election, have the power to possibly affect the outcome of the race.”

Finchem called Fontes “a lawless bad actor who has a history of criminal behavior who recklessly bungled both the 2018 and 2020 elections as the Maricopa County Recorder” and said he was “[George] Soros’ handpicked Marxist who will turn Arizona into California with open borders & rigged elections.” Finchem said, “Fontes does not respect the law, is a criminal who has served time in jail and rewrote law illegally and was rebuked by many on all sides for it.”

Hobbs was elected in 2018 with 50.4% of the vote to Steve Gaynor’s (R) 49.6%. Republicans hold the two other top executive positions in Arizona—governor and attorney general—meaning that neither major party has a triplex in the state. There are currently 23 Republican triplexes, 18 Democratic triplexes, and 9 divided governments where neither party holds triplex control.

This is one of 27 elections for secretary of state taking place in 2022.