Election 2026
The 2026 midterms — the year also marking the 250th anniversary of the United States — include elections for every member of the U.S. House of Representatives, one-third of the U.S. Senate, many state supreme court seats, and numerous state and local officials. Voters will also evaluate ballot measures for new laws and state constitutional amendments related to abortion, the environment, voting, and other topics.
All year, State Court Report will cover the 2026 judicial elections and ballot measures that impact state constitutions, as well as election-related litigation, with explainers, analysis, data visualization, and other reporting. State courts and constitutions play an important role in elections at all levels, settling questions related to ballot access, voting processes, recount challenges, and more.
The 2026 state supreme court elections span 32 states, including races in Michigan, Montana, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, and Wisconsin that could change the balance of power in those states or have other significant effects.
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What’s at Stake in the 2024 Montana Supreme Court Elections
Races for two seats on the high court will shape the future of Montana law on criminal justice, environmental rights, and more.
How Elections Are Certified in Battleground States
State laws require officials to certify results, and safeguards are in place should someone fail to fulfill that obligation.
How Years of Legislative Maneuvering Shaped this Year’s Judicial Elections
The outcomes in races in Ohio and North Carolina will be determined in part by legislatures that altered election rules to benefit their allies.
A Michigan Prosecutor on the Importance of State Judicial Elections
State courts, including lower courts, decide issues critical to the communities they serve, but judicial races are too frequently overlooked.
To Prevent Chaos and Confusion, Judges Must Prepare for Election Emergencies
In advance of the election, judges should educate themselves on election administration and develop emergency response procedures that will enable creation of effective remedies.
What Does Popular Sovereignty Really Mean?
Two new essays unpack recent state supreme court cases about the relationship between direct democracy and the power of state legislatures.
State Constitutional Conventions, Explained
The last state to hold a conventional convention was in Rhode Island in 1986.
How State and Local Election Certification Works
The process is designed to withstand election denialism.