TagState leg

Election legislation roundup: Florida State Legislature

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 30, 2023 at 4:53 PM

As of May 28, members of the Florida State Legislature, which includes the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida State Senate, have passed two bills related to election administration since the beginning of the year. Of the two bills passed, both have been enacted. This is one fewer than this point a year ago. Republicans sponsored both bills. The bills are: 

  • FL S0004: Statewide Prosecutor, Sen. Jonathan Martin (R). 
    • As amended, this bill:
      • Provides that the Department of Legal Affairs in the Office of Statewide Prosecution will investigate any crime involving voting in federal, state, referendum, initiative, and issue elections, as well as any petition activities for said elections.
      • Provides that the Department of Legal Affairs in the Office of Statewide Prosecution will investigate any crime involving voter registration.
      • Provides that the Department of Legal Affairs in the Office of Statewide Prosecution will investigate any attempt, solicitation, or conspiracy to commit related crimes.
      • Empowers the office to act in specified circumstances.
      • Requires information and indictments to contain general allegations stating where the crimes are alleged to have occurred.
  • FL S7050: Elections, Sen. Travis Hutson (R).
    • As amended, this bill:
      • Makes signature matching mandatory, requires anyone conducting signature matching to be trained, and requires the secretary of state’s office to adopt related rules and procedures.
      • Adds that a third-party voter registration organization, unaffiliated with a political party, must provide certain information to the division the specific election cycle where they will be registering people to vote, in addition to certain other previously created provisions, and provides that the organization’s registration expires at the end of the election cycle.
      • Stipulates that any person handling voter registration applications for a third-party organization must be a U.S. citizen and must not have been convicted of a felony.
      • Requires the third-party voter registration organization to provide a receipt to each applicant and outlines related requirements.
      • Modifies the deadline for the registrations to be delivered to the elections office from 14 days after application to 10 days after, and sets a maximum fine of $2,500 for each day delivery of the registrations are late.
      • Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.

From May 22-28, legislators passed nine bills related to election administration nationally. As of May 28, South Dakota legislators have passed the most bills this year with 18, while legislators in 19 states have passed none. The state with the most enacted bills is Tennessee with 17, while 20 states have enacted none.

The Florida State Legislature was scheduled to be in session from March 7 to May 5 this year. In 2022, Florida legislators passed four election-related bills, all in the state Senate. Three of the bills were enacted into law. Florida is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. 

Additional reading: 



Election legislation roundup: General Assembly of North Carolina

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 30, 2023 at 4:49 PM

As of May 28, members of the General Assembly of North Carolina, which includes the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina State Senate, have passed three bills related to election administration since the beginning of the year. Of those three bills, legislators passed one during the week of May 22-28. Democrats sponsored the bill. The bill is:   

  • NC H229: Stagger/Extend Terms of Town Officers/Halifax, Rep. Michael Wray (D). 
    • As introduced, this bill amends the charter for the town of Halifax to establish four-year staggered terms for the mayor and commissioners, align municipal elections with the general election in odd-numbered years, and elect these positions on a nonpartisan plural basis in accordance with uniform municipal election procedures. The bill also provides for the upcoming election schedule.

Of the three bills passed this year, three have been enacted. This is three more than this point a year ago. Republicans sponsored two bills, while Democrats sponsored one. The bills are: 

  • NC H229: See above bullet point for more information.
  • NC H88: Omnibus Local Elections, Reps. Brian Biggs (R), John Faircloth (R), and Jonathan Hardister (R). 
    • As amended, this bill:
      • Specifies procedures and requirements for filling a partisan vacancy on the Guilford County Board of Education.
      • Specifies that the Ashe County Board of Education will consist of five members, serving staggered four-year terms, elected on a partisan basis; and outlines nomination procedures and that the start of their term is the first Monday in December after the election.
      • Specifies that the Cabarrus County Board of Education will be elected on a partisan basis and that Board member terms begin on the first Monday in December after the election.
      • Specifies that the Henderson County Board of Public Education will consist of seven members, elected on a partisan basis, for staggered four-year terms.
      • Outlines nomination procedures for Board candidates and specifies implementation of staggered terms.
      • Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.
  • NC H27: Elect Thomasville City Bd. of Ed, Reps. Larry Potts (R) and Samuel Watford (R).
    • As introduced, this bill establishes the Thomasville City Board of Education as an nonpartisan elected board composed of five members with staggered five-year terms.

From May 22-28, legislators passed nine bills related to election administration nationally. As of May 28, South Dakota legislators have passed the most bills this year with 18, while legislators in 19 states have passed none. The state with the most enacted bills is Tennessee with 17, while 20 states have enacted none.

The General Assembly of North Carolina is scheduled to be in session from Jan. 11 to Aug. 31 this year. In 2022, North Carolina legislators passed three election-related bills, two in the state Senate and one in the state House. One of the bills from the state Senate was enacted into law. North Carolina is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.

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Election legislation roundup: Texas State Legislature

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 30, 2023 at 4:41 PM

As of May 28, members of the Texas State Legislature, which includes the Texas House of Representatives and the Texas State Senate, have passed four bills related to election administration since the beginning of the year. Of those four bills, legislators passed two during the week of May 22-28. A bipartisan group of legislators sponsored one bill, while Republicans sponsored the other. The two bills are:   

  • TX SB2258: Relating to authorizing certain cities to change the date on which their general election for officers is held, Sen. Cesar Blanco (D) and Rep. Andrew Murr (R). 
    • As introduced, this bill authorizes a city of certain size, that has a city-manager form of government, and holds its general election for officers on a date other than the November uniform election date to change the date for its general election for officers to the November uniform election date.
  • TX SB825: Relating to the deadline for submitting certain recount petitions, Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R) and Rep. Charles Cunningham (R).
    • As introduced, this bill changes the deadlines for submission of recount petitions.

Of the four bills passed this year, four have been enacted. This is four more than this point a year ago. A bipartisan group of legislators sponsored three bills, while Republicans sponsored one.  The bills are: 

  • TX SB2258: See first above bullet point for more information.
  • TX SB825: See second above bullet point for more information.
  • TX SB2038: Relating to release of an area from a municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction by petition or election, click hyperlinked bill to see sponsors.
    • Establishes that residents of an area with a population of less than 200 in the municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction may file a petition to be released from the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
    • Establishes that the owner or owners of a majority value of the land in a municipality’s extraterritorial jurisdiction may file a petition to be released from the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
    • Outlines petition requirements, including signature requirements and inclusion of a map.
    • Outlines administrative requirements for the municipal secretary upon receiving the petition, including signature verification and notification of residents.
    • Directs that if the petition meets requirements, the municipality must immediately release the area from extraterritorial jurisdiction.
    • Click the hyperlinked bill number above for more information.
  • TX SB1052: Relating to the compensation of an election judge or clerk, click hyperlinked bill to see sponsors.
    • As introduced, this bill prohibits a judge or clerk from being paid for more than two hours of work before the polls open except for making changes to the list of registered voters at another polling place.

From May 22-28, legislators passed nine bills related to election administration nationally. As of May 28, South Dakota legislators have passed the most bills this year with 18, while legislators in 19 states have passed none. The state with the most enacted bills is Tennessee with 17, while 20 states have enacted none.

The Texas State Legislature was scheduled to be in session from Jan. 10 to May 29 this year. In 2022, Texas legislators passed zero election-related bills. Texas is a Republican trifecta, meaning Republicans control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature. 

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40 candidates filed for federal and statewide offices last week

By Elisabeth Moore
In 2023 elections, 2024 elections, Federal, State
May 23, 2023 at 9:08 PM

40 people declared candidacies for federal or statewide offices in the past week, two fewer than last week. All of these candidates declared before their state’s official filing deadline.

Twenty-two of those candidates were Democratic, while 18 were Republican.

Twenty-eight candidates are running for Congress, four for governorship, and eight for a lower state executive office. 

Since the beginning of the year, Ballotpedia has identified 912 declared candidates for federal and statewide offices. At this time in 2021, Ballotpedia had identified 1,794 declared candidates for 2022, 2023, and 2024 races.

An official candidate is someone who registers with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline or appears on candidate lists released by government election agencies. A declared candidate is someone who has not completed the steps to become an official candidate but who might have done one or more of the following:

  • Appeared in candidate forums or debates
  • Published a campaign website
  • Published campaign social media pages
  • Advertised online, on television, or through print
  • Issued press releases
  • Interviewed with media publications

For more on Ballotpedia’s definition of candidacy, click here.



Election legislation roundup: New York State Senate

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 23, 2023 at 8:29 PM

As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 147 election-related bills in the New York State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 147, Ballotpedia tracked five from May 15-21. Democrats sponsored four, while Republicans sponsored one. The five bills are:

  • NY S06933: Increases the term of office of an election commissioner from two to four years beginning January first of each odd numbered year, Sen. Lea Webb (D).
    • As introduced, this bill increases the term of office of an election commissioner from two years to four years beginning January first of each odd numbered year.
  • NY S06740: Provides for requirements for officers, boards and judges making determinations as to the sufficiency of a designating or nominating petition, Sen. Rachel May (D).
    • Provides that when determining the sufficiency of a petition, the officer or board making a determination shall construe all election laws, rules, and regulations liberally so as not to deprive an individual of their right to run for office, or the voters of their right to elect a candidate of their choice.
    • Stipulates that a petition may be invalidated if the witness statement is inaccurate, the public office for which a candidate was designated for nomination is misstated, or if some voter signatures are older than the date on the witness statement.
    • Provides that when deciding whether to accept or reject a petition, the court shall construe all election laws, rules, and regulations liberally so as not to deprive an individual of their right to run for office, or the voters of their right to elect a candidate of their choice.
    • Provides that a petition shall not be invalidated because the stated number of signatures in the witness statement is inaccurate, and a petition shall not be rejected by the board of elections for not having the minimum number of signatures required.
  • NY S06875: Relates to voting rights and access for incarcerated individuals, Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D).
    • Establishes that, by majority vote, an election board may establish a polling place in a correctional facility in lieu of absentee voting at the facility, and outlines requirements and operation hours.
    • Outlines procedures for handling and delivery of completed voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications collected by the board of inspectors.
    • Modifies a deadline and adds requirements for the local board to communicate with a facility regarding absentee ballot voting and changing the deadline from 20 days before an election to 45 days before the election.
    • Furnishes requirements and procedures for implementing absentee ballot voting at facilities in counties with at least 100,000 registered voters.
    • Provides procedures and timelines for registering qualified voters, providing absentee ballot applications, and providing non-partisan educational materials in correctional facilities.
    • Establishes that qualified individuals in correctional facilities have the right to register and vote, including electronic access to certain election procedures, and provides procedures and remedies if an individual feels his or her rights are violated.
  • NY S06735: Relates to allowing pre-registered voters to apply for an absentee ballot, Sen. Rachel May (D).
    • As introduced, this bill allows voters who are pre-registered, but will qualify to vote by the next election, to apply for an absentee ballot.
  • NY S06928: Requires the county seat in Madison county to have at least one polling place designated for early voting, Sen. Joseph Griffo (R).
    • As introduced, this bill requires the county seat in Madison county to have at least one polling place for early voting.

During the week of May 15-21, Ballotpedia tracked 26 Senate election-related bills nationally. As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 963 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 147, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in the Massachusetts State Senate with zero.

As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 447 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 398 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 118 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. 

Additional reading: 



Election legislation roundup: New York State Assembly

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 23, 2023 at 7:14 PM

As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 171 election-related bills in the New York State Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 171, Ballotpedia tracked 12 from May 15-21. Democrats sponsored 10, while a bipartisan group of legislators sponsored two. Five of 12 bills are below: 

  • NY A07147: Relates to making electronic ballot images and cast vote records public records of the board of elections upon request, Assembly Member Dana Levenberg (D).
    • As introduced, this bill requires the state board of elections to copy the electronic images of cast ballots and the cast vote records from removable memory cards or other similar electronic media no later than one week after an election and make them public records available upon request.
  • NY A06926: Relates to the calculation of voting power for committee members in districts that have changed or new districts since the last preceding gubernatorial election, Assembly Member Amy Paulin (D).
    • States the county committee of each party is composed of at least two members and such additional members as the rules of the county committee of the party within the county may provide for such district.
    • Provides that in counties without additional members, each member’s voting power is proportional to their party vote, or to the party vote in their district multiplied by the percent of registered voters from their former district.
    • Provides that in counties with additional members, each member shall have one vote and be an enrolled voter of the party residing in the county and the assembly district from which or containing the election district in which such member is elected.
  • NY A07106: Enacts the “political artificial intelligence disclaimer (PAID) act”; requires political communications and legislation that use synthetic media to disclose that they were created with the assistance of artificial intelligence, click hyperlinked bill to see all sponsors.
    • As introduced, this bill provides that any political communication that was produced by, or includes, any synthetic media shall be required to disclose the use of such synthetic media. The disclosure shall be printed or typed in an appropriate legible form to read as follows: “This political communication was created with the assistance of artificial intelligence.”
  • NY A06764: Ensures that boards of elections provide adequate notice to each voter before and after a board cancels the voter’s registration or places such voter in inactive status, Assembly Members Brian Cunningham (D) and Amy Paulin (D).
    • As introduced, this bill requires boards of elections to notify a voter before and after it cancels the voter’s registration or puts their registration in invalid status. The board also must explain the reason why a cancellation or a move to invalid status is occurring.
  • NY A07241: Establishes a notarial recordkeeping and reporting exemption for acts relating to the designation and nomination of candidates, Assembly Members Charles Lavine (D), Monica Wallace (D), Joshua Jensen (R), Michael Norris (R), and Samuel Pirozzolo (R).
    • As introduced, this bill provides a notarial recordkeeping and reporting exemption for the nomination of candidates.

During the week of May 15-21, Ballotpedia tracked 31 House election-related bills nationally. As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,399 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the Texas House of Representatives with 173, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Massachusetts and Ohio with one.

As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 633 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 602 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 164 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control.

The New York 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.

Additional reading: 



Election legislation roundup: Texas House of Representatives

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 23, 2023 at 6:43 PM

As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 173 election-related bills in the Texas House of Representatives since the beginning of the year. Of the 173, Ballotpedia tracked one from May 15-21. Democrats sponsored the bill. The bill is below:

  • TX HB21: Relating to the Texas Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission, Rep. James Talarico (D).
    • As introduced, this bill establishes the Texas Independent Citizen Redistricting Commission for redistricting of U.S. House of Representatives, Texas Senate, Texas House of Representatives, and State Board of Education districts and outlines membership, meeting rules, organization, powers, duties, deadlines, notifications, and reporting requirements.

During the week of May 15-21, Ballotpedia tracked 31 House election-related bills nationally. As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,399 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the Texas House of Representatives with 173, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Massachusetts and Ohio with one.

As of May 21, Ballotpedia has tracked 633 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 602 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 164 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.

Additional reading: 



54.9% of state legislatures are Republican, 44.35% Democratic

By Maddie Sinclair Johnson
In State
May 16, 2023 at 10:09 PM

At the end of April 2023, 54.9% of all state legislatures in the United States are Republican while 44.35% are Democratic. There are 7,383 state legislative seats in the country.

Democrats hold 855 state Senate seats and 2,421 state House seats, losing seven chamber seats since last month. Republicans hold 1,111 state Senate seats and 2,944 state House seats, losing three chamber seats since last month.

Independent or third-party legislators hold 26 seats across 12 different states, including 21 state House seats and five state Senate seats. There are 27 vacant state House seats and two vacant state Senate seats across 19 different states.

Compared to April 2022, Democrats have lost six state Senate seats (861 v. 855) and gained six state House seats (2,415 v. 2,421). Republicans have gained 15 state Senate seats (1,096 v. 1,111) and 27 state House seats (2,917 v. 2,944).

Additional reading:



Election legislation roundup: New York State Assembly

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 16, 2023 at 6:16 PM

As of May 14, Ballotpedia has tracked 163 election-related bills in the New York State Assembly since the beginning of the year. Of the 163, Ballotpedia tracked one from May 8-14. Democrats sponsored the bill. The bill is below:   

  • NY A06711: Provides that a candidate who files a certificate of acceptance for an office for which there have been filed certificates or petitions designating more than one candidate for the nomination of any party, may thereafter file a certificate of declination not later than the seventh day after the primary election, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon (D). 
    • This bill provides that a candidate who filed for an office where more than one candidate of any party filed for office, may file a certificate of declination by the seventh day after the primary election. 

During the week of May 8-14, Ballotpedia tracked six House election-related bills nationally. As of May 14, Ballotpedia has tracked 1,399 House bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most House bills this year in the Texas House of Representatives with 183, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest House bills in Massachusetts and Ohio with one.

As of May 14, Ballotpedia has tracked 630 House bills in Democratic trifectas and 605 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 164 House bills in states where neither party holds trifecta control. 

The New York 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.

Additional reading: 



Election legislation roundup: New York State Senate

By Mercedes Yanora
In State
May 16, 2023 at 6:02 PM

As of May 14, Ballotpedia has tracked 143 election-related bills in the New York State Senate since the beginning of the year. Of the 143, Ballotpedia tracked three from May 8-14. Republicans sponsored two, while Democrats sponsored one. The three bills are below:   

  • NY S06653: Prohibits the delivery of an absentee ballot or an application therefore to an address associated with a candidate’s campaign, Sen. Andrew Lanza (R). 
    • This bill prohibits a ballot application from being mailed to a candidate’s campaign address.
  • NY S06666: Relates to no longer permitting the use of electronic absentee voting applications; repeals all provisions relating thereto, Sen. Andrew Lanza (R). 
    • This bill eliminates the possibility of requesting an absentee ballot electronically.
  • NY S06708: Authorizes the state board of elections to reject the use of voting machines or systems on the grounds that such machines or systems are not proper, safe, or secure, Sen. Leroy Comrie (D). 
    • This bill provides that the state board of elections may reject, or rescind approval, of any voting machine or system on the grounds that it is not proper, safe, or secure, notwithstanding other testing.   

During the week of May 8-14, Ballotpedia tracked five Senate election-related bills nationally. As of May 14, Ballotpedia has tracked 948 Senate bills nationally. Ballotpedia tracked the most Senate bills this year in the New York State Senate with 143, while Ballotpedia tracked the fewest Senate bills in the Massachusetts State Senate with zero.  

As of May 14, Ballotpedia has tracked 439 Senate bills in Democratic trifectas and 391 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 118 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. 

Additional reading: