Category: 2026 elections
-
Elections Ballotpedia is covering in March 2026
In March 2026, Ballotpedia is tracking 33 elections across 13 states. These include 24 special elections to fill vacancies in 10 states and one recall election. Last month, Ballotpedia tracked 27 elections across 14 states. This included one statewide election, 21 special elections, four local elections, and one recall election. In March 2024, Ballotpedia tracked…
-
Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 17
Four candidates are running in the Democratic primary for Illinois Comptroller on March 17, 2026: Margaret Croke (D), Stephanie Kifowit (D), Holly Kim (D), and Karina Villa (D). Incumbent Susana Mendoza (D), who took office in 2016, is not running for re-election. The Chicago Tribune's Rick Pearson and Jeremy Gorrner wrote that Mendoza's retirement "creates…
-
What to know about states that don't use primary elections to nominate candidates
Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas have their statewide primaries on March 3, kicking off the 2026 primary season. Generally, political parties use primary elections to determine their nominees in advance of a general election. In some cases, however, political parties can — or must — nominate candidates for the general election without conducting a primary.…
-
State legislative special elections show shift toward Democrats compared to previous regular elections
In the state legislative special elections that have happened since January 2025, there was an average shift of 5.6 percentage points towards Democrats. Additionally, Democrats retained 10 percentage points more of their voter turnout from the previous regular election than Republicans. We found these figures by comparing candidates' special election performance to their performance in…
-
Tom Malinowski became the first former House member running for a formerly held seat to be defeated in 2026
Rep. Tom Malinowski (D) became the first former member of Congress to face voters in a bid for their old office in the 2026 election cycle. In the special election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, Analilia Mejia (D) defeated Malinowski 29% to 28%. Malinowski represented New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District from 2019 to 2023.…
-
30% of congressional incumbents not seeking re-election this year have endorsed a successor
On Feb. 9, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), who is not seeking re-election this year, endorsed Micah Lasher (D) in the Democratic primary election to succeed him in representing New York's 12th Congressional District. In doing so, Nadler joined 17 other retiring members of the U.S. Congress who have so far endorsed candidates in primary…
-
Recent midterm election years featured more open state legislative seats than presidential years
According to Ballotpedia’s annual competitiveness analyses, midterm election years like 2026 tend to feature more open state legislative seats than presidential election years. Voters across 46 states will choose who will represent them in 6,155 state legislative districts this November. On March 3, 2026, three states—Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas—will hold the first primary elections…
-
Barr, Cameron, Morris, and nine others running in Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Kentucky on May 19
Andy Barr, Daniel Cameron, Nate Morris, and nine others are running in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Kentucky on May 19, 2026. Incumbent Mitch McConnell (R) is not running, opening the seat for the first time since McConnell's election in 1984. As of Feb. 16, 2026, Barr, Cameron, and Morris led in polling,…
-
Both candidates for North Carolina District Court District 35 Seat 1 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Both candidates running in the March 3 Republican primary for North Carolina District Court District 35 Seat 1—Eric F. Eller and S. Justin Ray—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. All survey respondents are asked to tell voters about…
-
Twenty-one candidates are running in special general election on March 10 to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene (R)
Twenty-one candidates are running in a special general election on March 10, 2026, to represent Georgia's 14th Congressional District. Shawn Harris (D), Clayton Fuller (R), Nicky Lama (R), Colton Moore (R), and Brian Stover (R) have received the most media attention. Gov. Brian Kemp (R) called the special election after former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene…