Category: State
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Arizona moves its primary from August to July
Arizona’s 2026 primary will now occur on July 21, after Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed legislation on Feb. 6 that moves up the state’s primary date. Under HB 2022, primary elections will now take place on the second-to-last Tuesday in July. Previously, primaries occurred on the first Tuesday in August. HB 2022 passed on a…
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Twenty-five states weigh legislation on foreign funding in elections
Lawmakers in 25 states are considering new state laws or constitutional amendments so far this year related to foreign funding in elections. Federal law prohibits federal, state, and local candidates from soliciting, directing, or receiving contributions from individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The law also bans contributions from…
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Judge blocks Texas fossil fuel boycott law
A U.S. district court judge last week invalidated Texas Senate Bill 13, a 2021 law restricting state contracts and investments with companies that boycott fossil fuel businesses. U.S. District Judge Alan Albright, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, ruled on Feb. 4, 2026, that the law violates the First and…
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Voters in 39 states have decided 57 crime victims' rights constitutional amendments since 1982
Since 1982, voters in 39 states have voted on 58 ballot measures concerning crime victims' rights. These measures include those related to the legal rights and protections of crime victims. They address a right to restitution, notification, participation in legal proceedings, and victim support services, among other rights guaranteed to victims of crimes. Of the…
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Seventeen Kentucky state legislative incumbents will face primary challenges in 2026
Seventeen Kentucky state legislative incumbents face primary contests in 2026, the fewest since 13 incumbents ran in contested 2020 primaries. Thirteen of the contested incumbents are Republicans, and four are Democrats. Fourteen are state representatives, and three are state senators. Kentucky has 40 contested state legislative primaries in 2026, down 5% from 2024. Of these,…
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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…
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Six state executives retired in states where the filing deadline passed in January
The filing deadline for candidates seeking office in 2026 passed in three states in January: Alabama (Jan. 23), Kentucky (Jan. 9), and West Virginia (Jan. 31). Kentucky and West Virginia do not hold state executive elections in mid-term years. In Alabama, nine state executive offices are up for election. Of those offices, six current officeholders…
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State supreme court vacancy count for January 2026
In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from Dec. 31, 2025, to Jan. 31, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justices sworn into office: During January 2026, five justices were sworn into office. Candidates nominated: During January…
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Kansas legislators hear from Ballotpedia as they weigh election dates change
On Jan. 20, legislators on the Kansas House Elections Committee heard from Ballotpedia as they consider a bill to move local and school board elections from odd-numbered to even-numbered election years. HB 2452 would apply to city and county races, as well as elections for school board, community college board, and public utility board. The…
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Nebraska voters have decided on almost four times the number of legislatively referred measures (296) as citizen initiatives (80) since 1860
Since 1860, Nebraska voters have decided on 296 legislatively referred measures—nearly four times the number of citizen initiatives (80). Additionally, Nebraskans also decided on 48 constitutional convention referrals. Of the 424 total measures, 266 (63%) were approved, and 158 (37%) were defeated. Nebraska adopted the initiative process in 1912, with Amendment 1 approved by a…