Category: State

  • Virginia statewide filing deadline is March 25

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    The filing deadline to run for elected office in Virginia is on March 25, 2021. In Virginia, prospective candidates may file for the following offices: Governor Lieutenant Governor Attorney General Virginia House of Delegates (all 100 seats) Ballotpedia is also covering local elections in the following cities: Chesapeake Norfolk Richmond Virginia Beach The Democratic primary…

  • In four states, no state or federal officials have tested positive for COVID-19

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    Between the start of the coronavirus pandemic and March 18, 2021, no elected or appointed state or federal officials announced positive COVID-19 test results in four states—Delaware, Maryland, Oregon, and Vermont. In the 46 other states, Ballotpedia has identified at least one COVID-19 positive state or federal official within our coverage scope. State and federal…

  • A look back at government responses to COVID-19, March 23-27, 2020

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    Although the first case of COVID-19 in the U.S. was confirmed on Jan. 21, 2020, it wasn’t until March when the novel coronavirus upended life for most Americans. Throughout March and April, states issued stay-at-home orders, closed schools, restricted travel, and changed election dates. Many of those policies remain in place today.  Here are the…

  • Election preview: special Louisiana elections scheduled for March 20

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    Louisiana is holding primary elections on March 20, 2021. A general election, if needed, is set for April 24. Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top…

  • Deadline for Nevada State Legislature to vote on sales and gaming tax measures passes, sending the pair of initiatives to the ballot

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    The deadline for the Nevada State Legislature to act on two indirect initiated state statutes—the Gaming Tax Increase on Monthly Revenue above $250,000 Initiative and the Sales Tax Increase for Public Schools Initiative—was Friday, March 12. The legislature did not enact the measures by the deadline, which sent them to the ballot in November 2022.…

  • Kentucky legislature certifies amendment to authorize changes to legislative session end dates and special sessions

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    On March 15, the Kentucky State Legislature voted to send a constitutional amendment to voters in November 2022 that would authorize the legislature to change legislative session end dates through a three-fifths vote in each chamber. It would also authorize the House speaker and Senate president to jointly call a special legislative session for up…

  • Michigan Court of Claims invalidates absentee/mail-in ballot rule as improperly established

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    On March 9, 2021, Michigan Court of Claims Judge Christopher Murray invalidated an absentee/mail-in ballot rule instituted by Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson (D) in the run-up to the November 3, 2020, general election. Murray held that Benson’s rule, which directed local clerks to presume validity when verifying signatures on absentee/mail-in ballot applications and return…

  • California State Assembly District 54 special election set for July 20

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    Election officials have scheduled a special election for the District 54 seat in the California State Assembly for July 20, 2021. The seat became vacant after Sydney Kamlager (D) was elected to the California State Senate on Mar. 2. The primary is on May 18, and the filing deadline is on March 24.

  • New Jersey Governor announces nomination of state supreme court justice

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    New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy (D) announced on March 15 that he would nominate Rachel Wainer Apter to the New Jersey Supreme Court. She will replace Justice Jaynee LaVecchia, who is retiring on Aug. 31. Wainer Apter has served as a director with the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, a counsel to the New…

  • Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 60 special election set for May 18

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    Election officials have scheduled a special election for the District 60 seat in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on May 18, 2021. The seat became vacant after Jeffrey Pyle (R) resigned on Mar. 16 due to health issues. There are no primaries, and candidates will be nominated directly by political parties.