New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) issued one executive order from March 13-19. As of March 19, Grisham has issued 38 executive orders in 2023 — 24 more than she did at this point a year ago.
Executive Order 2023-038, where the governor ordered flags to half-staff in memorial of former Navajo Nation President Peterson Zah.
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of March 13-19, the nation’s governors issued 25 executive orders. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued the most with nine. Governors in 39 states issued the fewest with zero. Democratic governors issued 13 of the 25 orders, while Republican governors issued 12.
Lujan Grisham has served as governor since Jan. 1, 2019. She issued 165 executive orders in 2022 and 68 in 2021. Nationally, governors issued at least 1,559 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 345 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 210, while Democratic governors issued 135. New Mexico is a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) issued four executive orders from March 13-19. As of March 19, Murphy has issued 10 executive orders in 2023 — six fewer than he did at this point a year ago. Three of four executive orders are below:
Executive Order No. 320, where the governor declared a state of emergency in five counties affected by a winter storm.
Executive Order No. 321, where the governor ordered flags to be flown at half-staff in recognition and mourning of former Sen. Ronald Rice (D).
Executive Order No. 323, where the governor ordered the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council created by Senate Bill No. 783 to replace the Opioid Recovery and Remediation Advisory Council created by Executive Order No. 305 (2022).
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of March 13-19, the nation’s governors issued 25 executive orders. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued the most with nine. Governors in 39 states issued the fewest with zero. Democratic governors issued 13 of the 25 orders, while Republican governors issued 12.
Murphy has served as governor since Jan. 16, 2018. He issued 37 executive orders in 2022 and 66 in 2021. Nationally, governors issued at least 1,559 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 345 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 210, while Democratic governors issued 135. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta, meaning Democrats control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear (D) issued one executive order from March 13-19. As of March 19, Beshear has issued one executive order in 2023 — one more than he did at this point a year ago.
Executive Order 2023-155, where the governor prohibited price gouging following a severe weather system.
Governors use executive orders to manage executive branch operations. During the week of March 13-19, the nation’s governors issued 25 executive orders. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) issued the most with nine. Governors in 39 states issued the fewest with zero. Democratic governors issued 13 of the 25 orders, while Republican governors issued 12.
Beshear has served as governor since Dec. 10, 2019. He issued seven executive orders in 2022 and three in 2021. Nationally, governors issued at least 1,559 executive orders in 2022. Governors have issued 345 executive orders in 2023. Republican governors issued 210, while Democratic governors issued 135. Kentucky is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 27 election-related bills in the Texas State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 27, Ballotpedia tracked 24 from March 13-19. Republicans sponsored 19, while Democrats sponsored five. Five of the 24 bills are:
TX SB1056: Relating to the directors and administration of the Hidalgo County Water Improvement District No. 3; creating a criminal offense, Sen. Juan Hinojosa (D).
TX SB2258: Relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date on which their general election for officers is held, Sen. Cesar Blanco (D).
As introduced, this bill authorizes a city of certain size, a city-manager form of government, and that holds its general election for officers on a date other than the November uniform election date may change the date for its general election for officers to the November uniform election date.
TX SB545: Relating to death records maintained and provided by the vital statistics unit of the Department of State Health Services, Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R).
As introduced, this bill requires the department of state health services to implement a method to provide death information to the secretary of state to assist in maintaining the statewide voter registration list.
TX SB747: Relating to the withdrawal of a candidate in a runoff primary election, Sen. Bryan Hughes (R).
As introduced, the bill mandates a candidate may not withdraw from a runoff primary election after 5 p.m. of the 21st day after the state canvass. If a runoff candidate withdraws from the election before the deadline, the candidate with the third highest number of votes in the primary will be on the runoff ballot. If a runoff candidate withdraws after the deadline, the remaining candidate is the nominee and the runoff election for that office is not held.
TX SB825: Relating to the deadline for submitting certain recount petitions, Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R).
As introduced, this bill changes the deadlines for submission of recount petitions.
During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 61 Senate election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 720 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 124, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in Louisiana and Massachusetts with zero. Republicans sponsored 331 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 302. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 63 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 24.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 376 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 265 Senate bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 79 Senate bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The Texas Senate is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 10 to May 29 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked zero Senate bills related to election administration. Texas is a Republican trifecta.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 124 election-related bills in the New York State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 124, Ballotpedia tracked four from March 13-19. Democrats sponsored all four. The four bills are:
NY S04597: Excludes indebtedness for the construction of sewage facilities contracted prior to 2034 in determining current local debt limitation, Sen. Monica Martinez (D).
NY S05729: Authorizes electronic submission of absentee ballots, Sen. Brad Hoylman (D).
NY S05693: Provides that whenever a contiguous property of a college or university contains three hundred or more registrants, the polling place designated for such election district shall be on such contiguous property or at a location approved by the college or university, Sens. Neil Breslin (D), Michael Gianaris (D), Andrew Gounardes (D), John Liu (D), Rachel May (D), Zellnor Myrie (D), Kevin Parker (D), Roxanne Persaud (D), and Toby Stavisky (D).
As introduced, this bill provides that when there is a property contiguous to a college or university, with 300 or more voters registered at the property, the college or university will approve a designated early voting polling location on the site.
NY S05677: Relates to an electronically submitted absentee ballot application, Sen. James Sanders (D).
Requires the board of elections to accept absentee ballot delivery, military ballot applications, and special federal ballot applications by fax machine, as an email attachment, [or] through an online filing system.
Requires the online filing system to be created by the state board of elections.
Requires the website for each board of elections to advertise the email address, website address, and fax number to return absentee ballots.
Specifies that applications received outside of normal business hours will be deemed as received the next day.
Allows for electronic signature on the absentee ballots.
Specifies that military ballot applications and special federal ballot applications sent by fax, email, and the online portal are considered the original application and the original copy does not need to also be mailed.
During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 61 Senate election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 720 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 124, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in Louisiana and Massachusetts with zero. Republicans sponsored 331 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 302. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 63 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 24.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 376 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 265 Senate bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 79 Senate bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The New York Senate is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 4 to June 8 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 190 Senate bills related to election administration. Ten of these bills passed both chambers and eight were enacted into law. New York is a Democratic trifecta.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked six election-related bills in the North Carolina State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the six, Ballotpedia tracked two from March 13-19. Democrats sponsored both bills. The two bills are:
NC S313: Safeguard Fair Elections Act, Sens. Gale Adcock (D), Valencia Applewhite (D), Sydney Batch (D), Jay Chaudhuri (D), Michael Garrett (D), Lisa Grafstein (D), Rachel Hunt (D), Natasha Marcus (D), Julie Mayfield (D), Graig Meyer (D), Mujtaba Mohammed (D), Natalie Murdock (D), Gladys Robinson (D), DeAndrea Salvador (D), Kandie Smith (D), Joyce Waddell (D), and Mike Woodard (D).
NC S306: Fix Our Democracy, Sens. Gale Adcock (D), Valencia Applewhite (D), Jay Chaudhuri (D), Michael Garrett (D), Lisa Grafstein (D), Rachel Hunt (D), Paul Lowe (D), Natasha Marcus (D), Julie Mayfield (D), Graig Meyer (D), Mujtaba Mohammed (D), Natalie Murdock (D), Gladys Robinson (D), DeAndrea Salvador (D), Kandie Smith (D), and Joyce Waddell (D).
During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 61 Senate election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 720 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 124, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in Louisiana and Massachusetts with zero. Republicans sponsored 331 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 302. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 63 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 24.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 376 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 265 Senate bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 79 Senate bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The North Carolina Senate is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 11 to Aug. 31 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked eight Senate bills related to election administration. Two of these bills passed both chambers and one was enacted into law. North Carolina is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 60 election-related bills in the Texas House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 60, Ballotpedia tracked 52 from March 13-19. Republicans sponsored 37, while Democrats sponsored 15. Five of these bills are:
TX HB3159: Relating to the use of an accessible absentee mail system by certain voters, Rep. Jeff Leach (R).
As introduced, this bill allows a qualified absentee voter to cast a ballot using an accessible, electronic absentee mail system.
TX HB4519: Relating to unlawful altering of election procedures, Rep. Jacey Jetton (R).
As introduced, this bill requires the secretary of state to send notice to a public official who has been accused of an improper election procedure to correct the action. If corrective action is not taken, the secretary will send notice to the attorney general to take further action and apply potential penalties.
TX HB4697: Relating to the audit of an election in certain counties, Rep. Mano DeAyala (R).
As introduced, this bill allows counties participating in the Countywide Polling Place program to conduct the manual count on one percent of the county’s polling locations for both early voting in-person and election day in-person. In precinct-based election systems, the custodian of elections must select the precincts at random and begin the count no later than 72 hours after the polls close.
TX HB2430: Relating to the ability of a volunteer deputy registrar to distribute and receive applications for a ballot to be voted by mail, Rep. Erin Zwiener (D).
As introduced, this bill requires a volunteer deputy registrar to supply vote by mail applications to county voters and accept completed application for delivery to an early voting clerk. A volunteer deputy registrar commits an offense if they do not deliver the completed applications.
TX HB2622: Relating to voting a limited ballot on election day following the change of the county of residence by a voter, Rep. Gina Hinojosa (D).
As introduced, this bill requires a statement to be submitted to an election officer at any early voting polling place where voters may submit a limited ballot if the person is voting in-person and recently changed their address on their voter registration.
During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 92 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,059 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 138, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with zero. Republicans sponsored 491 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 430. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 74 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 64.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 561 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 392 House bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 106 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The Texas House is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 10 to May 29 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked zero House bills related to election administration. Texas is a Republican trifecta.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 138 election-related bills in the New York State Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 138, Ballotpedia tracked three from March 13-19. Republicans sponsored two, while Democrats sponsored one. The three bills are:
NY A05494: Requires the county seat in Delaware county (Delhi) to have at least one polling place designated for early voting, Assembly Member Joe Angelino (R).
As introduced, this bill designates at least one early voting polling place in Delaware County, on a public transportation route, if possible.
NY A05473: Requires funeral directors to ensure that death certificates are delivered to the state health department and the department of health of the city of New York who shall in turn deliver certain certificates to the state board of elections, Assembly Member Doug Smith (R).
As introduced, this bill requires all funeral directors to deliver death certificates to the state health department and for each county board of elections to ensure that any deceased voter is promptly removed from the voter registration list. This bill also makes conforming changes.
NY A05477: Exempts income earned working at the polls from the definition of income, Assembly Members William Colton (D), Inez Dickens (D), Edward Gibbs (D), Deborah Glick (D), Aileen Gunther (D), Jonathan Jacobson (D), John McDonald (D), Phil Ramos (D), Gina Sillitti (D), Phillip Steck (D), Steve Stern (D), and Monica Wallace (D).
As introduced, this bill exempts income earned by election inspectors, poll clerks, and election coordinators working on elections from the definition of “income” related to gross income for federal income tax purposes.
During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 92 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,059 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 138, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with zero. Republicans sponsored 491 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 430. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 74 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 64.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 561 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 392 House bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 106 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The New York House is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 4 to June 8 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 226 House bills related to election administration. Seven of these bills passed both chambers and five were enacted into law. New York is a Democratic trifecta.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 13 election-related bills in the Florida House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 13, Ballotpedia tracked one from March 13-19. Republicans sponsored the bill. The bill is:
FL H1611: City of Bartow, Polk County, Rep. Melony Bell (R).
During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 92 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,059 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 138, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with zero. Republicans sponsored 491 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 430. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 74 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 64.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 561 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 392 House bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 106 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The Florida House is scheduled to be in session from March 7 to May 5 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 13 House bills related to election administration. Zero of these bills passed both chambers. Florida is a Republican trifecta.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 19 election-related bills in the North Carolina House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 19, Ballotpedia tracked four from March 13-19. Democrats sponsored three, while Republicans sponsored one. The four bills are:
NC H362: Fix Our Democracy, Reps. John Ager (D), Vernetta Alston (D), Cynthia Ball (D), Mary Belk (D), Cecil Brockman (D), Terry Brown (D), Gloristine Brown (D), Kanika Brown (D), Allen Buansi (D), Laura Budd (D), Ashton Clemmons (D), Sarah Crawford (D), Rosa Gill (D), Julie Von Haefen (D), Zack Hawkins (D), Frances Jackson (D), Carolyn Logan (D), Marvin Lucas (D), Nasif Majeed (D), Lindsey Prather (D), Renee Price (D), Amos Quick (D), James Roberson (D), and Shelly Willingham (D).
NC H376: Little Federal Model NC Edition, Reps. Jay Adams (R), Celeste Cairns (R), Karl Gillespie (R), Keith Kidwell (R), Larry Potts (R), Carson Smith (R), John Sossamon (R), and William Ward (R).
NC H229: Stagger/Extend Terms of Town Officers/Halifax, Rep. Michael Wray (D).
NC H372: Safeguard Fair Elections Act, Reps. John Ager (D), Vernetta Alston (D), Cynthia Ball (D), Mary Belk (D), Kanika Brown (D), Becky Carney (D), Maria Cervania (D), Sarah Crawford (D), Allison Dahle (D), Rosa Gill (D), Julie Von Haefen (D), Pricey Harrison (D), Zack Hawkins (D), Ya Liu (D), Carolyn Logan (D), Marvin Lucas (D), Nasif Majeed (D), Marcia Morey (D), Renee Price (D), Amos Quick (D), James Roberson (D), and Caleb Rudow (D).
During the week of March 13-19, Ballotpedia tracked 92 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,059 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 138, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in the Massachusetts House of Representatives with zero. Republicans sponsored 491 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 430. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 74 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 64.
As of March 19, Ballotpedia has tracked 561 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 392 House bills in Republican trifectas. A trifecta is when one political party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Ballotpedia has tracked 106 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.
The North Carolina House is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 11 to Aug. 31 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 17 House bills related to election administration. One of these bills passed both chambers, but it was not enacted into law. North Carolina is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
