Category: State
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Voters approved 62 constitutional amendments in 29 states in 2020
Every state but Delaware requires voters to ratify proposed changes to a state’s constitution. There are four ways that proposed constitutional amendments can be proposed and put on the ballot: Through legislatively referred constitutional amendments. Through citizen-initiated constitutional amendments put on the ballot through signature petition drives. Eighteen states allow this method of amendment. Through…
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Todd Eddins joins Hawaii Supreme Court
Todd Eddins was sworn in to the Hawaii Supreme Court as an associate justice on Dec. 11. Founded in 1959, the Hawaii Supreme Court is the state’s court of last resort and has five judgeships. Of the five current justices, Democratic governors appointed four, and a Republican governor—Linda Lingle—appointed one. Gov. David Ige (D) appointed…
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Louisiana House of Representatives District 35 special election set for March 20, 2021
A new state legislative special election has been added to our list. The special election is for the District 35 seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives on March 20, 2021. The primary is on February 6, and the filing deadline is on January 8.
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Kansas governor appoints Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers to become state treasurer
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly (D) announced Dec. 10 that she will appoint Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers (D) to the position of state treasurer to fill the vacancy created by Jacob LaTurner’s (R) election to the U.S. House. Rogers will be sworn in on Jan. 2, 2021, and will serve until the position is up for…
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Rhode Island governor nominates two justices to state supreme court
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo (D) made her first and second nominations to the state Supreme Court on December 8, 2020. Raimondo nominated Erin Lynch Prata to succeed Justice Gilbert Indeglia, who retired on June 30, 2020, and Melissa Long to succeed Justice Francis Flaherty, who is retiring on December 31, 2020. Selection of Supreme…
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Voters to decide special election runoff in Texas State Senate District 30
A special general election runoff is being held on December 19 for District 30 of the Texas State Senate. Shelley Luther (R) and Drew Springer (R) advanced to the general runoff. The winner will serve until January 2023. A candidate needed to earn more than 50% of the vote to win in the general election.…
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Six candidates file to run in Oklahoma State Senate special election
Candidates interested in running in a special election for a seat in the Oklahoma State Senate had until December 9, 2020, to file. The primary is scheduled for February 9, 2021, and the special election will be held on April 6. In the District 22 special election, Dylan Billings and Molly Ooten are running in…
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New Hampshire House Speaker Dick Hinch dies
Newly-sworn in New Hampshire House Speaker Dick Hinch (R) died on Dec 9, at the age of 71. According to the Boston Globe, Hinch unexpectedly passed away from COVID-19. Hinch won re-election to the New Hampshire House of Representatives to represent Hillsborough 21 on Nov. 3. Republicans gained control of the state House, and Hinch…
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Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice to retire in June 2021
Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel Bolger is retiring on June 30, 2021. Bolger’s replacement will be Gov. Mike Dunleavy’s (R) second nominee to the five-member supreme court. Bolger joined the Alaska Supreme Court in 2013. He was appointed by Gov. Sean Parnell (R) to succeed Justice Walter Carpeneti. He became chief justice of the…
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Georgia governor appoints LaGrua to state supreme court
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) appointed Shawn LaGrua to the Georgia Supreme Court on December 1, 2020. LaGrua succeeded Justice Keith Blackwell, who retired on November 18, 2020. LaGrua is Kemp’s second nominee to the nine-member supreme court. Under Georgia law, state supreme court justices are selected through nonpartisan elections. Justices serve six-year terms. Vacancies…