Category: State
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State supreme court vacancy count for April 2026
In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearings-in of justices from April 1 to April 30, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justices sworn into office: During April 2026, one justice was sworn into office. Candidates nominated: During April 2026,…
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49 state financial officers and four insurance commissioners are up for election in 2026
In 2026, a total of 49 state financial offices are up for election, as are four state insurance commissioners. State financial officers include three positions: state treasurers, state auditors, and state comptrollers/controllers. Broadly, these officials are responsible for things like auditing other government offices, managing payroll, and overseeing pensions. In some states, certain SFOs are…
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Campaign to make permanent additional income tax to fund public education in California submits signatures
A campaign sponsored by the California Teachers Association (CTA) submitted more than 1.6 million signatures on April 28 for a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment that would make permanent the additional income tax enacted with the approval of Proposition 30 in 2012, which funds education and early childhood programs. The additional income tax is set to expire…
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Oklahoma voters to decide a constitutional amendment that would reduce the annual growth limit of the fair cash value of property
Oklahoma voters will decide on a constitutional amendment on Nov. 3, 2026, that would reduce the annual growth limit of the assessed value of property used when calculating property taxes. The Oklahoma State Senate approved Senate Joint Resolution 39 (SJR 39) on April 27, sending the measure to the state ballot. If approved, the amendment…
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Alabama enacts post-election audit law, 13 other election-related bills in 2026 session
The Alabama Legislature adjourned its regular session on April 9 after enacting 14 election-related bills, all of which Gov. Kay Ivey (R) signed. Among those bills was HB 95, which requires post-election audits. Under the new law, each county judge of probate is required to order a post-election audit after every countywide and statewide general…
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David Scott’s death leaves Georgia’s 13th Congressional District vacant
On April 22, 2026, Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) died, leaving Georgia's 13th Congressional District vacant. The vacancy now brings the Republican majority in the U.S. House of Representatives to 217 to 212, with five vacancies. Additionally, Rep. Kevin Kiley (I-Calif.) is an independent who caucuses with Republicans. Scott is the fifth member of the U.S.…
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DLCC and RSLC targeting 30 of the same chambers in 2026 state legislative elections
This year, the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) and the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) — the parties’ national campaign arms for state legislatures — are focusing on the same 30 chambers. In total, the DLCC will target 43 chambers, and the RSLC will target 35 chambers. Ahead of this year’s state legislative elections, Republicans…
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Virginia’s new Democratic trifecta has enacted more election-related bills than any other state so far this year
Virginia has enacted more election-related bills than any other state so far this year, including several notable pieces of legislation. The 2026 session was the first time in five years that Virginia had a Democratic trifecta — with Democrats controlling both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor’s office — following Gov. Abigail Spanberger's…
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Kentucky legislators override four vetoes on election-related bills
The Kentucky General Assembly adjourned on April 15 after overriding four of Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) vetoes on election-related bills. Beshear signed four other pieces of election legislation. Kentucky is one of two states, along with Kansas, where one party has a veto-proof majority in the legislature, and the other party holds the governor's office.…
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Kentucky legislature overrides governor's veto on Medicaid work requirements bill
On April 14, 2026, the Kentucky General Assembly voted along party lines to override line item vetoes from Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) of House Bill 2 and enshrined changes to Medicaid rules into state law. Beshear had vetoed several portions of the bill, including a requirement that Medicaid applicants demonstrate three months of compliance…