Category: State
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Baker appointed to the North Carolina House of Representatives
Rep. Kristin Baker (R) was appointed to the District 82 seat in the North Carolina House of Representatives, replacing the late Rep. Linda Johnson (R). Johnson died in February 2020. Baker assumed office on March 19. Baker’s appointment fills the only vacancy in the state House this year. The current partisan composition of the chamber is…
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Delaware becomes latest state to postpone elections in response to coronavirus outbreak
On March 24, Delaware postponed its presidential preference primary election to June 2. It was originally scheduled to take place on April 28. Delaware is the latest state to postpone elections in response to the coronavirus outbreak. To date, the following 10 states and one territory have postponed statewide primary elections: Alaska: In-person voting in…
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Daily coronavirus update: March 25, 2020
As part of Ballotpedia’s coverage on the coronavirus pandemic, we are compiling a daily summary of major changes in the world of politics, government, and elections happening each day. Here is the summary of changes for March 25, 2020. Federal responses Read more: Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020, Federal, state, and local government…
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California ballot initiative campaigns are in the final weeks of their signature drives and face the effects of coronavirus
California is under a shelter-in-place order due to the coronavirus pandemic, but several ballot initiative campaigns are in the final days or weeks of their signature drives. As of March 23, four citizen-initiated measures have qualified to appear on the ballot in November. An additional nine ballot initiative could receive enough signatures to appear on…
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Filing deadlines to pass in New Jersey and South Carolina
The statewide filing deadline to run for elected office in New Jersey and South Carolina is on March 30. In New Jersey, prospective candidates may file for the following offices: • U.S. Senate (1 seat) • U.S. House (12 seats) In South Carolina, prospective candidates may file for the following offices: • U.S. Senate (1…
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Coronavirus daily update: March 24, 2020
As part of Ballotpedia’s coverage on the coronavirus pandemic, we are compiling a daily summary of major changes in the world of politics, government, and elections happening each day. Here is the summary of changes for March 24, 2020. Federal responses Read more: Political responses to the coronavirus pandemic, 2020, Federal, state, and local government…
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States consider legislation in response to the coronavirus pandemic
In recent days, state lawmakers nationwide have taken action on legislation in response to the coronavirus outbreak. With the help of BillTrack50, we are compiling information on all of that legislation. As of March 23, 2020, legislatures in 29 states and Washington, D.C., had taken up at least 184 bills related to COVID-19. Lawmakers in…
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Majority of states have suspended certain court operations and jury trials
On March 22, the West Virginia Supreme Court declared a judicial emergency and suspended jury trials and all in-person proceedings, with a few exceptions, through April 10, 2020. West Virginia joined the majority of states whose judicial branches have decided to suspend certain court operations and jury trials due to the coronavirus pandemic. Through March…
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Virginia closes schools for the remainder of the school year
Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam (D) announced that all schools statewide would remain closed for the rest of the school year due to the coronavirus outbreak. This was an extension of a previous order on March 13 when Northam ordered all schools to close from March 16 to March 27. Virginia became the second state to…
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Florida governor delays state supreme court selection due to coronavirus
On March 19, 2020, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) announced he would delay nominating individuals to two Florida Supreme Court vacancies until at least May 1. The governor said he had not had time to review the candidates’ application materials because of the coronavirus pandemic. Normally under state law, DeSantis would have needed to select…