Tagstate houses

One-third of Virginia House incumbents are not running for re-election

By Douglas Kronaizl
In 2023 elections
June 2, 2023 at 10:05 AM

One-third of the incumbents in Virginia’s House of Delegates are not running for re-election in 2023, the most in the chamber in more than a decade.

Virginia’s statewide primaries are on June 20, including for all 100 districts in the House.

Further, just six incumbents in the 100-member House face primary challengers compared to 11 in the 40-member Senate.

Based on media coverage and other competitiveness metrics, Ballotpedia identified six battleground primaries in the House: four between Democrats and two between Republicans. Two of these primaries feature incumbents, and four are in open districts.

Virginia House District 21 is one such Republican primary.Josh Quill (R) and John Stirrup (R) are running for this open district. Quill is a specialist master with Deloitte and a Marine Corps veteran who later worked for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Stirrup was a member of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors from 2003 to 2011, representing the Gainesville district.

Elections Daily’s Joe Szymanski wrote, “Fundraising numbers for these two candidates have been even,” and “Both candidates are running on similar issues: crime, education, and the economy.”

CNalysis rates this district as one of its four general election Toss-Ups. While President Joe Biden (D) won the district by a margin of 26.6 percentage points in 2020, Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R) won it by a margin of 3.4 percentage points in 2021.

Virginia House District 55 is a battleground Democratic primary.Amy Laufer (D) and Kellen Squire (D) are running for this open district.

Laufer, a former teacher, served on the Charlottesville City School Board from 2011 to 2019 and is a former Chair of the Albemarle County Democrats. Squire is an emergency room nurse and C.E.O. of a nature advocacy organization.

Szymanski described this race as “a primary that could end up being the closest of them all,” and said, “Squire has taken the more progressive wing here- hyping his large base of small donors, one of the largest in Virginia.”

Szymanski added that “Laufer is still progressive, albeit slightly less so than Squire, and has key institutional support,” pointing to endorsements from state Sens. Scott Surovell (D) and Louise Lucas (D).

While primaries are first on the calendar, control of the chamber will likely come down to just a handful of races in November. 

CNalysis rates each election based on the likelihood of a Democratic or Republican victory. Currently, the outlet rates 46 elections as Solid Democratic and 43 as Solid or Very Likely Republican. This leaves 11 elections that either lean towards one party or the other or are categorized as Toss-Ups.

Learn more about the Virginia House elections and the battleground elections Ballotpedia identified using the link below.



Texas Legislature proposes parental rights amendments

By Victoria Antram
In State
April 27, 2023 at 5:11 PM

The Texas State Senate passed two constitutional amendments related to parental rights. They are now pending before the House. If approved by the House, they would appear on the ballot for Nov. 7, 2023.

Senate Joint Resolution 29 would provide a state constitutional right for parents or legal guardians to direct their children’s education, including choosing an alternative to public school, accessing public school teaching materials, attending school board meetings, and accessing the child’s student health records. It passed the Senate on April 19 by a vote of 21-10 with two Democrats joining the Republican majority to meet the two-thirds vote requirement. The author of the amendment is Sen. Angela Paxton (R-8). 

In the author’s statement of intent included with the resolution text, Paxton said, “In choosing professional educators to facilitate their child’s education, parents do not cede their right to educate their child. Therefore, the right for parents to be the ultimate decider of their child’s education should be enumerated in the Texas Constitution.”

The Texas NAACP, Texas American Federation of Teachers, Intercultural Development Research Association, Texas AFL-CIO, and Texas State Teachers Association registered in opposition to the amendment.

The other amendment, Senate Joint Resolution 70, would establish a right for parents or legal guardians “to exercise care, custody, and control of the parent’s child and to make decisions for the upbringing of the parent’s child, including but not limited to decisions regarding the education, moral and religious training, and health care of the child.” It passed the Senate on April 19 by a vote of 28-3 with all but three Democrats voting in favor of the amendment. The author of the amendment was Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-1).

Sen. Hughes said, “The goal of S.J.R. 70 is to ensure the longevity of these rights by taking them from case law, which can change or go away at any time, and adding them to the Texas Constitution, and to provide clarity for attorneys, local judges, and parents.”

Texas PTA registered in opposition to the amendment.

Texas is one of 16 states that requires a two-thirds vote in each legislative chamber during one legislative session to refer a constitutional amendment to the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 100 votes in the House and 21 votes in the Senate, assuming no vacancies.

During the 2023 legislative session, 295 constitutional amendments were filed in the Texas State Legislature for the 2023 ballot. As of April 27, one passed both legislative chambers and was certified for the ballot.

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Pennsylvania to hold special elections to determine control of state House

By Mercedes Yanora
In 2023 elections, State
April 26, 2023 at 3:39 PM

Pennsylvania will hold special elections to fill vacancies in House Districts 108 and 163 on May 16, 2023. Democrats currently have a 101-100 majority, and the results of these elections will determine majority control of the chamber. If Democrats win one special election, they will keep their majority in the chamber. Republicans would win the majority if they won both special elections.

Trevor Finn (D), Michael Stender (R), and Elijah Scretching (L) are running in District 108 to succeed Schlegel Culver. Finn is a Montour County commissioner. He said his campaign platforms were “economic development, [advancing] the cause of all citizens, and protecting our small town heritage.” Stender is an at-large member of the Shikellamy School Board. Stender’s campaign website says, “he supports American energy independence, backs our workers and small businesses and works to bring fiscal responsibility to state government.” Scretching is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He said, “I love my family, my state, and my country, and I’m ready to continue serving.” 

Heather Boyd (D), Katie Ford (R), and Alfe Goodwin (L) are running to succeed Michael Zabel (D) in District 163. Boyd worked as the district director for U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D). Boyd said she is running “to make sure that every person and family in our district gets the resources and representation they deserve. … [I] will fight for laws and budgets that serve the district.” Ford is a special needs instructor. Ford said one of her priorities “will be to fight for the increased funding needed to properly educate our children, including those with special needs. … Public safety, adequate funding, and training for law enforcement will also be a top priority.” Goodwin previously worked as a police officer. She was a brigade command chaplain and founded Follow Your Bliss LLC. She said, “This is a wonderful opportunity for voters to take a second look and re-consider not only who we vote for but why we vote in the first place.” 

According to CNalysis, Donald Trump (R) would have won District 108 in the 2020 presidential election 65% to 33%, while Joe Biden (D) would have won District 163 62% to 37%. District 108 includes all of Montour County and part of Northumberland County. District 163 includes part of Delaware County. 

In Pennsylvania’s 2022 U.S. Senate election, Mehmet Oz (R) carried Montour and Northumberland counties 55% to 41% and 64% to 33%, respectively, while John Fetterman (D) carried Delaware County 63% to 35%. 

Pennsylvania House Democrats won 102 seats to Republicans’ 101 as a result of the 2022 elections. Three Democratic representatives left office after those elections, giving Republicans a functional 101-99 seat majority to start the 2023 legislative session. Democratic candidates then won special elections in all three vacant districts on Feb. 7, 2023, giving the party a 102-101 majority until Zabel resigned in District 163.

Pennsylvania is one of 11 states with a divided government. Democrats are the majority in the state house, and Gov. Josh Shapiro is a Democrat. Republicans control the state senate.

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Democrats will have one-vote majority in Pennsylvania House of Representatives after state legislator resigns

By Dave Beaudoin
In State
March 12, 2023 at 1:50 PM

Pennsylvania State Rep. Mike Zabel (D) announced on March 8 that he would resign from the legislature on March 16. Earlier this month, three women—State Rep. Abby Major (R), Zabel’s former campaign manager, and a lobbyist—each accused Zabel of sexually harassing them in separate incidents over the past several years.

In a series of text messages to the Associated Press after announcing his resignation, Zabel wrote, “Allegations of this nature are impossible to litigate in a public forum. It was always my intention to go through the Ethics Committee process and defend myself there. At this point, though, I am unwilling to put my loved ones through any more of this.”

After Zabel’s resignation, the partisan control of the Pennsylvania House will be 101 Democrats and 100 Republicans, with two vacancies. The other open district was last represented by Lynda Schlegel Culver (R), who won a special election to the state Senate on Jan. 31. State House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D) had set the special election for Schlegel Culver’s district for May 16th, which is the date of Pennsylvania’s statewide judicial primary. Steve Ulrich of Politics PA wrote that “The March 16 effective date of [Zabel’s]…resignation provides McClinton with the minimum 60 days needed to call for a special election for May 16.”

As a result of the 2022 elections, Democrats won 102 seats to Republicans’ 101. However, three seats that Democrats won became vacant at the start of the legislative session due to one member’s death and two members who resigned after also being elected to other offices. This gave Republicans a functional 101-99 seat majority. On January 3, the House elected Rep. Mark Rozzi (D) as speaker by a 115-85 vote, with all 99 Democrats and 16 Republicans voting to approve him for the position. After his election, Rozzi said, “The commonwealth that is home to Independence Hall will now be home to this commonwealth’s first independent speaker of the House. I pledge my allegiance and my loyalty to no interest in this building, to no interest in our politics. I pledge my loyalty to the people of the commonwealth.”

On Feb. 7, Democratic candidates won special elections in all three districts that became vacant after the 2022 elections, which gave Democrats 102 members and a majority in the chamber.

On Feb. 23, Rozzi released a set of proposed rules for the House given that the margin between the two parties was so small. Among his proposals was “making committee composition more proportional between the parties,” “fixing the discharge process so that a committee chairman cannot hold legislation hostage from a majority,” and “providing for increased protection against sexual harassment and discrimination in the House.” The House adopted this set of rules on March 1.

Rozzi stepped down as House speaker on Feb. 28, saying that he had accomplished what he had planned to do and he wanted to make way for McClinton’s election as the chamber’s first female speaker. McClinton was elected speaker that day.

All 203 seats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives are up for election every two years. Pennsylvania currently has a divided government as Democrats control the governorship, and Republicans have a 28-22 majority in the state Senate.



Election legislation roundup: North Carolina House of Representatives

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 10, 2023 at 4:11 PM

As of March 5, Ballotpedia has tracked 10 election-related bills in the North Carolina House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 10, Ballotpedia tracked two from Feb. 27-March 5. Democrats sponsored one, while Republicans sponsored the other. The two bills are:  

  • NC H152: Even Yr Elections/Maysville & Pollocksville, Rep. Chris Humphrey (R).
  • This bill changes municipal elections in the towns of Mayville and Pollocksville to be held in even number years.
  • NC H191: Popular Election, Reps. Kelly Alexander (D), Johnnie Autry (D), Pricey Harrison (D), Abe Jones (D), Carolyn Logan (D), Marvin Lucas (D), Nasif Majeed (D), and Caleb Rudow (D). 
  • Establishes North Carolina as a member of the agreement among states to conduct a presidential election by national popular vote.
  • Establishes that the state population will conduct a statewide popular election for US president and vice president.
  • Outlines how the state is to calculate a national popular vote total and to designate an election winner, including certification, timeline, what to do in the case of a tie, and specific circumstances related to nominating electors for the winning candidate.
  • Provides that this agreement will take effect when states cumulatively possessing a majority of electoral votes have enacted the agreement, with related provisions.

During the week of Feb. 27 to March 5, Ballotpedia tracked 69 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 5, Ballotpedia has tracked 946 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 128, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero. Republicans sponsored 429 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 388. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 67 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 62.

As of March 5, Ballotpedia has tracked 540 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 317 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 89 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.

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Election legislation roundup: New York State Assembly

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 10, 2023 at 3:58 PM

As of March 5, Ballotpedia has tracked 128 election-related bills in the New York State Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 128, Ballotpedia tracked six from Feb. 27 to March 5. Democrats sponsored five, while Republicans sponsored one. The six bills are:

NY A00479: Establishes a ranked choice voting method for nonpartisan primary elections, Assembly Members Robert Carroll (D) and Harvey Epstein (D).

  • This bill establishes ranked-choice voting for all non-partisan primary elections, except the presidential primaries and provides provisions for the procedures for voting, ballots to be used, and voter education.

NY A05007: Enables constitutionally-qualified electors to register to vote and to cast a ballot on the same day at a polling location, Assembly Member Kenneth Burgos (D)

  • Supplies that a qualified voter may complete a conditional voter registration and cast an affidavit ballot at an early voting or election day polling location.
  • Specifies that a conditional voter registration is deemed effective if the board of elections is able to determine the registrant is eligible, and has registered using accurate information matching information contained in the database, before or during the canvass period.
  • Requires the board to provide conditional voter registration and voting at all early voting and election day polling locations.

NY A04962: Requires that all candidates for elected local, state or federal office shall be required to caption any video advertisement which is viewed by the general public, Assembly Member Jennifer Lunsford (D).

  • This bill requires candidates to ensure any video advertisement or promotion in which the candidate appears include clear, conspicuous captions that are either auto generated or added by the candidate.

NY A04777: Increases the term of office of an election commissioner from two to four years beginning January first of each odd numbered year, Assembly Member J. Gary Pretlow (D).

  • This bill changes the term of office for an election commissioner from two years to four years, and removes exceptions for New York city and Schenectady.

NY A04758: Requires the county seat in Fulton county to have at least one polling place designated for early voting, Assembly Member Robert Smullen (R).

  • This bill requires the county seat in Fulton county to have at least one early voting polling place.

NY A04741: Authorizes the Westchester county board of elections to merge any election district with 50 or fewer registered voters into an existing election district, Assembly Member J. Gary Pretlow (D).

  • This bill authorizes the board of elections in the county of Westchester to merge an election district with 50 registered voters or fewer into another existing election district, with certain requirements and limitations.

During the week of Feb. 27 to March 5, Ballotpedia tracked 69 House election-related bills nationally. As of March 5, Ballotpedia has tracked 946 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 128, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero. Republicans sponsored 429 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 388. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 67 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 62.

As of March 5, Ballotpedia has tracked 540 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 317 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 89 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.

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Election legislation roundup: New York State Assembly

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 6, 2023 at 7:09 PM

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 122 election-related bills in the New York State Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 122, Ballotpedia tracked four from Feb. 20-26. Democrats sponsored the four bills. The four bills are:   

  • NY A04653: Permits New York city voters to sign designating petitions for multiple candidates for the same New York City municipal public office or party position, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani (D). 
    • As introduced, this bill permits a New York city voter to sign petitions for a greater number of candidates for a city municipal public office, or party position with the counties of New York city, than the number of people to be elected, with no limit.
  • NY A04517: Relates to promoting inmate voter registration and voting by incarcerated people; requires the department of corrections and community supervision to distribute a voter information guide and hold voter information and registration clinics for incarcerated people every other year, Assembly Members Khaleel Anderson, (D) Harvey Epstein (D), Phara Souffrant Forrest (D), Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas (D), Ronald Kim (D), Zohran Mamdani (D), Marcela Mitaynes (D), and Jo Anne Simon (D).
    • Clarifies that an incarcerated person registering and voting should be considered a resident of their last address prior to incarceration.
    • Prohibits a voter’s registration from being canceled while he or she is incarcerated in a state or local facility and prevents municipalities from enacting a conflicting ordinance.
    • Requires the department to establish a program promoting voter registration and voting by incarcerated people and lists items to be included, including a guide, registration clinics, voter registration drives, resources, voter information, and more.
  • NY A04463: Relates to the appointment of commissioners of elections; provides that once a party recommends a person for commissioner of elections the local legislative body shall automatically approve the appointment of such person, Assembly Member J. Gary Pretlow (D).
    • As introduced, this bill requires a local legislative body to automatically approve any recommendations for commissioners of elections by a party.
  • NY A04351: Establishes a ranked choice voting method to be implemented by local governments for use in general elections, special elections and primaries within the state, Assembly Member Daniel O’Donnell (D).
    • Authorizes the state board of elections to mandate all county boards of elections to conduct state elections to [use] the ranked choice voting method, starting in 2025.
    • Specifies that the ranked choice voting provision [applies] when there are three or more candidates.
    • Outlines procedures for the local governing body to implement a resolution regarding ranked choice voting.
    • Outlines election procedures for use of ranked choice voting including ballot specifications, instructions, administration of tabulation, determination of a winner.
    • Requires certain voter education measures where local governments pass a resolution authorizing ranked choice voting.

During the week of Feb. 20-26, Ballotpedia tracked 89 House election-related bills nationally. As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 880 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 122, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero. Republicans sponsored 403 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 363. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 55 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 59.

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 511 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 289 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 80 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The New York State Assembly 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.

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Election legislation roundup: New Jersey General Assembly

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 6, 2023 at 7:02 PM

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 97 election-related bills in the New Jersey General Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 97, Ballotpedia tracked one from Feb. 20-26. Democrats sponsored the bill. The bill is:   

  1. NJ A5175: Changes certain General Election deadlines, Assembly Members Angela McKnight (D) and Anthony Verrelli (D).

During the week of Feb. 20-26, Ballotpedia tracked 89 House election-related bills nationally. As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 880 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 122, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero. Republicans sponsored 403 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 363. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 55 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 59.

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 511 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 289 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 80 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The New Jersey General Assembly is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 10 to Dec. 31 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 83 House bills related to election administration. Ten of these bills passed both chambers and all 10 were enacted into law. New Jersey is a Democratic trifecta.

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Election legislation roundup: Iowa House of Representatives

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 6, 2023 at 6:56 PM

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked one election-related bill in the Iowa House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Republicans sponsored the bill. The bill is:   

  • IA HF356: A bill for an act relating to the conduct of elections, including provisions related to absentee ballots, recounts, and contested gubernatorial elections and impeachments, making penalties applicable, and including effective date provisions, Rep. Bobby Kaufmann (R).

During the week of Feb. 20-26, Ballotpedia tracked 89 House election-related bills nationally. As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 880 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 122, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero. Republicans sponsored 403 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 363. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 55 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 59.

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 511 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 289 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 80 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The Iowa House is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 9 to April 28 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked five House bills related to election administration. Zero of these bills passed both chambers. Iowa is a Republican trifecta.

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Election legislation roundup: Kentucky House of Representatives

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
March 6, 2023 at 6:49 PM

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked five election-related bills in the Kentucky House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the five, Ballotpedia tracked one from Feb. 20-26. Republicans sponsored the bill. The bill is:

  • KY HB501: AN ACT relating to elections, Rep. Richard Heath (R).
    • As introduced, this bill adds gender neutral language to existing legislation.

During the week of Feb. 20-26, Ballotpedia tracked 89 House election-related bills nationally. As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 880 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the New York State Assembly with 122, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Alabama, Louisiana, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania with zero. Republicans sponsored 403 of these bills, while Democrats sponsored 363. Third party sponsorship and bills with no sponsors accounted for 55 bills, while bipartisan legislators sponsored 59.

As of Feb. 26, Ballotpedia has tracked 511 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 289 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 80 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The Kentucky House is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 3 to March 30 this year. In 2022, Ballotpedia tracked 20 House bills related to election administration. Four of these bills passed both chambers and all four were enacted into law. Kentucky is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.

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