As the battle for Congress rages, voters are also deciding the fate of thousands of ballot measures and public offices.

Bolts editor-in-chief Daniel Nichanian lays out 468 elections to watch closely up and down the ballot—from secretaries of state and senators to prosecutors and judges—and why they matter.

We will add to this page, first published on Oct. 11, when other elections come to our attention through Nov. 8, and we will update it with all results on Election Night. We will release a printable version, similar to past “What’s on the Ballot” cheat sheets, in early November.

Bolts has published guides to all supreme court and secretary of state races, and elections that are critical to abortion. We also cover races that affect voting rights and criminal justice.

This cheat sheet features at least one non-federal election for all 50 states, plus D.C., and we encourage you to search for the name of your state on this page to learn about local stakes.

We also encourage readers to visit Ballotpedia for its invaluable resources and to consult Daily Kos Elections’ data on all districts’ partisan lean. Also, note that we include a congressional race if it is rated unsafe by just one of Cook Politicalthe Crystal BallInside Elections, and Daily Kos Elections.

CONGRESS

Control of the Senate, & House

SENATE

Dem-held
Arizona
Colorado
Georgia
New Hampshire
Nevada
Washington
GOP-held
Florida
Missouri
North Carolina
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Utah
Wisconsin
Intra-GOP stakes
Alaska

U.S. HOUSE

All Dem-held districts or new districts carried by Trump in 2020
AK-AL
AZ-02
FL-02
FL-04
FL-07
FL-13
IA-03
GA-06
ME-02
MI-10
MT-01
OH-09
PA-08
TN-05
TX-15
WI-03
Select Dem-held districts carried by Biden in 2020
AZ-04
AZ-06
CA-09
CA-13
CA-21
CA-25
CA-26
CA-47
CA-49
CO-07
CT-02
CT-05
GA-02
IL-06
IL-11
IL-14
IL-17
KS-03
MD-06
MI-07
MI-08
MN-02
NC-01
NC-06
NJ-03
NJ-05
NJ-07
NJ-11
NH-01
NH-02
NM-01
NM-03
NV-01
NV-03
NV-04
NY-03
NY-04
NY-17
NY-18
NY-19
OH-13
OR-04
OR-05
PA-07
PA-08
PA-12
PA-17
RI-02
TX-28
VA-02
VA-07
VA-10
WA-08
All GOP-held districts or newly-created districts carried by Biden in 2020
AZ-01
CA-22
CA-27
CA-40
CA-45
CO-08
IL-13
NE-02
MI-03
NC-13
NC-14
NM-02
NY-01
NY-22
OH-01
OR-06
PA-01
PA-07
TX-34
Select GOP-held districts or newly-created districts carried by Trump in 2020
CA-03
CA-41
CO-03
FL-15
FL-27
IA-01
IA-02
MN-01
NY-02
NY-11
WA-03

 

TRIFECTAS

GovernorsLegislatures, & Trifectas

GOVERNOR

Dem-held
Colorado
Illinois
Kansas
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Nevada
New Mexico
New York
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
Wisconsin
GOP-held
Alaska
Arizona
Florida
Georgia
Iowa
Maryland
Mass.
Ohio
Oklahoma
Texas

LEGISLATURES

GOP-held: Dems may flip
Arizona Senate
Arizona House
Michigan Senate
Michigan House
Minnesota Senate
North Carolina Senate
North Carolina House
New Hampshire Senate
New Hampshire House
Dem-held: GOP may flip
Alaska House*
Colorado Senate
Colorado House
Maine Senate
Maine House
Minnesota House
Nevada Senate
Nevada House
Oregon Senate
*The Alaska House is run by a coalition of Democrats and some Republicans.
Dem-held:
Will they win a supermaj.?
California Senate
California House
Vermont Senate
Vermont House
It matters in CA for taxes, and in VT for veto overrides.
GOP-held:
Will they win a supermaj.?
North Carolina Senate
North Carolina House
Wisconsin Senate
Wisconsin House
For more information on key legislative districts, see the rightmost column on this page.

TRIFECTA WATCH:
WHO CONTROLS EACH STATE?

Currently Dem-run (14)
Result?
CA
CO
CT
DE
IL
HI
ME
NJDem*
NM
NV
NY
OR
RI
WA
*NJ has no state elections in 2022 and is sure to remain under Dem. control.
Currently GOP-run (23)
Result
AL
AR
AZ
FL
GA
ID
IN
IA
MSGOP*
MO
MT
NE
NH
ND
OK
OH
SC
SD
TN
TX
UT
WV
WY
*MS has no state elections in 2022 and is sure to remain under GOP control.
Currently split government (13)
Result
AK
KS
KYSplit*
LASplit*
MD
MA
MI
MN
NC
PA
VT
VASplit*
WI
*KY, LA, and VA have no state elections in 2022 and are sure to remain split.

REFERENDUMS

AbortionVotingDrugsCriminal JusticeImmigrationGovernanceLaborTransportHealthHousingEducationClimateTaxesSlaveryGunsTerm LimitsOther

ABORTION RIGHTS

Michigan

On enshrining abortion rights in state constitution, and overturning a ban (#3, learn more)

California

On enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution (#1, learn more)

Kentucky

On declaring that the state constitution does not recognize abortion rights (#2, learn more)

Montana

On whether a fetus is a legal person. (#131, learn more)

Vermont

On enshrining abortion rights in state constitution (#5, learn more)

VOTING RIGHTS AND BALLOT ACCESS

Arizona

On creating new barriers to direct democracy (#128, #129, #132; learn more in Bolts)

Arizona

On tightening voter ID requirements (#309; learn more)

Arkansas

On requiring a supermajority for ballot initiatives (#2; learn more in Bolts)

Connecticut

On enabling early voting (learn more)

Louisiana

On barring non-citizens from voting in state or local elections (#1, learn more): This is on the Dec. 10 ballot.

Michigan

On a broad voting rights package to expand access to the ballot (#2, learn more)

Nebraska

On requiring ID for voting. (#432, learn more)

Ohio

On barring non-citizens from voting in state or local elections (#2, learn more)

DRUG POLICY

Arkansas

On legalizing marijuana (#4, learn more)

Colorado

On decriminalizing psychedelics (#58, learn more)

Colorado: Colorado Springs

On enabling recreational marijuana sales (learn more)
Maryland

On legalizing marijuana (#4, learn more)

Missouri

On legalizing marijuana (#3, learn more)

North Dakota

On legalizing marijuana (#2, learn more)
South Dakota

On legalizing marijuana (#27; learn more)

CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND POLICING

Alabama

On enabling judges to deny bail for a range of offenses (#1, learn more)

Alabama

On restricting a governor’s powers to commute or reprieve death sentences (#3, learn more)

California: Los Angeles

On enabling a county board to remove a sheriff (#A, learn more)
California: Sacramento

On criminalizing encampments (more soon)

Kansas

On requiring that sheriffs be elected and enabling them to be recalled (#2, learn more)

Montana

On requiring warrants for searches of electronic data (#48, learn more)

Ohio

On enabling judges to consider ‘safety’ in setting cash bail, beyond deciding whether to deny bail, and expanding pretrial detention (#1, learn more)

IMMIGRATION

Arizona

On in-state tuition for non-citizen residents (#308, learn more)

Maryland: Howard County

On repealing a ‘sanctuary’ measure that prevents county agencies from cooperating with ICE and reporting the immigration status of people who use local public services (learn more)
Massachusetts

On drivers’ licenses for undocumented residents (#4, learn more)

HEALTH CARE

Oregon

On declaring health care a fundamental right (#111, learn more)

South Dakota

On expanding Medicaid (#D; learn more)

LABOR

Illinois

On enshrining a constitutional right to collective bargaining (#1, learn more)

Maine: Portland

On increasing the minimum wage to $18, and expanding covered workers (learn more)
Nebraska

On increasing the minimum wage to $15 (#433, learn more)

Nevada

On increasing the minimum wage to $12 (#2, learn more)

Tennessee

On enshrining “right-to-work,” which limits union dues, into the state constitution (#1, learn more)

Washington, D.C.

On eliminating the tipped minimum wage, again (learn more)

GOVERNANCE AND ELECTION RULES

California: Oakland

On creating a “democracy vouchers” system (learn more in Bolts)
Colorado: Boulder

On moving municipal elections to even years to boost turnout (#2E)
Hawaii: Hawaii County

On creating a youth commission, a body of people aged 14 to 24 who would advice county officials on youth civic engagement (learn more)
Maine: Portland

On switching to a ‘strong mayor’ system (instead of a city manager), and on setting up a new public funding system for elections (learn more)
Nevada

On instituting a ranked-choice voting system (#3, learn more in Bolts)

Oregon: Portland

On overhauling city governance and replacing it with a new, progressive-backed system (learn more)
Rhode Island: Providence

On switching to a school board that would be partly elected (#7, learn more)
Washington: Seattle

On instituting a ranked-choice voting system and, separately, on instituting an approval voting system (#1A, #1B, #2, learn more)
West Virginia

On strengthening the powers of the legislature vis-a-vis the judiciary (#1, learn more)
Other localities that are voting on ranked-choice voting systems are: Fort Collins, Colorado; Evanston, Illinois; Multnomah County, Oregon (in addition to Portland); Portland, Maine; Clark County, Washington; San Juan County, Washington

TRANSPORTATION

California: San Francisco

On renewing a sales tax to fund transportation (#L, learn more)
Florida: Hillsborough County (Tampa)

On a 1% sales tax to fund transportation projects, nearly half for the transit authority (learn more). Note: Will this be kicked off?
Florida: Orange County (Orlando)

On a 1% sales tax to fund transportation projects, nearly half for a transit authority (learn more)
Massachusetts

On increasing taxes on the wealthy to support transportation (and education) (#1, learn more)
Virginia: Arlington

On a bond of $53 million, most of which would fund WMATA/Metro improvements (learn more)

HOUSING

California: Los Angeles

On a “mansion tax” on sales above $5 million, to fund affordable housing (#ULA, learn more)
California: Pasadena

On rent control and eviction protections (#H, learn more)
California: Sacramento

On criminalizing encampments (more soon)
California: San Francisco

On taxing vacant homes (#M, learn more)
Colorado

On dedicating a slice of the state budget to affordable housing programs (#123)

Colorado: Denver

On increasing taxes on landlords to fund free legal counsel for people facing eviction (#305, learn more)
Colorado: Denver

On enabling Denver to spend surplus revenue on housing initiatives (#2K, learn more)

Maine: Portland

On a large slate of tenant protections (learn more)
Maine: Portland

On restricting short-term rentals (learn more)
Missouri: Kansas City

On authorizing a $50 million fund for affordable housing (#2, learn more)

EDUCATION

California

On instituting new mandates for education funding (#28, learn more)

Florida: Duval County (Jacksonville)

On increasing property taxes to raise teacher pay (learn more)
Massachusetts

On increasing taxes on the wealthy to support education (and transportation) (#1, learn more)

New Mexico

On a $216 million fund for public education (#3, learn more)
West Virginia

On weakening the powers of the board of education (#4, learn more)

ENERGY AND CLIMATE

California

On increasing taxes on the wealthy to fund clean vehicles and wildfire prevention, with controversy over Lyft’s role (#30, learn more)

Colorado: Denver

On enabling Denver to spend surplus revenue on climate action (#2J, learn more)
Illinois: Cook County

On increasing the levy for forest preserves (learn more)
New York State

On a $4.2 billion bond for green-minded infrastructure projects (#1, learn more)

TAXES

Colorado

On reducing the income tax, again (#121)

Colorado

On adding more information about the tax effects ofballot initiatives (#GG, learn more)

Look to other topic sections for tax and bond measures that are meant to fund a specific thing, e.g. education.

THE SLAVERY CLAUSE

States are voting on removing the “slavery clause” from the state constitution, which may help the fight against forced prison labor.
Alabama (#Con)
Louisiana (#7)
Oregon (#112)
Tennessee (#2)
Vermont (#2)

GUNS

Iowa

On enshrining gun rights in the state constitution (#1, learn more)

Oregon

On establishing new restrictions on gun ownership (#114, learn more)

WHO CAN SERVE IN OFFICE? TERM LIMITS AND OTHER ELIGIBILITY RULES.

Maryland

On instituting new residency rules for lawmakers (#2, learn more)

Maryland: Baltimore

On changing term limits for local officials (learn more)
Michigan

On softening rules around term limits (#1, learn more)

New Mexico

On giving appointed judges more time in office before facing an election (#3, learn more)
North Dakota

On instituting new term limits for the governor and lawmakers (#1, learn more)
Oregon

On banning frequently absent lawmakers from seeking re-election, in context of GOP boycotts (#113, learn more)

Tennessee

On lifting a ban on clergy serving in the legislature. (#4, learn more)

Wyoming

On increasing the retirement age of judges (learn more)

OTHER TOPICS

Alaska

On whether Alaska tribes should receive state recognition (learn more)

Alaska

On whether to call a constitutional convention, a vote entangled in some Alaskans’ effort to ban abortion (#1)

Colorado

On providing free lunches to public school students via a cap on tax deductions (#FF, learn more)

Florida

On repealing the special commission empowered to propose constitutional amendments (#2, learn more)

Missouri

On whether to call a constitutional convention (#3, learn more)

Nevada

On enshrining an equal-rights amendment in the state constitution (#1, learn more)

STATEWIDE OFFICES

Supreme CourtsSecretaries of StateAttorneys GeneralOther Statewide OfficesOther Statewide Stakes

SUPREME COURT JUDGES

Arkansas

Conservatives failed to oust one sitting justice in May; they’re taking aim at another in November. Learn more in Bolts.

Florida (five seats)

Abortion rights advocates hope to oust some of the five justices up for retention (a yes-or-no vote). No judge has ever lost retention in Florida. Learn more.

Illinois (two seats)

Two seats, each outside of Cook County (Chicago), will decide control of the court; the GOP needs to win both to flip the court. Learn more.
Kansas (six seats)

Six of seven justices are up for retention (a yes-or-no vote) against the backdrop of abortion: The court’s ruling protecting abortion rights was upheld by voters in August. Learn more in Bolts.

Kentucky

One of the most fervently anti-abortion lawmakers in Kentucky is seeking a seat on the court. Learn more.

Michigan (two seats)

Two justices are running for re-election, and the Democratic majority could flip (the GOP would need to win both seats). That would carry major implications for voting rights and for criminal justice.

Montana

Conservatives are targeting Justice Ingrid Gutafson on a court at the center of disputes over democracy. Learn more.

New Mexico (two seats)

Two Democratic justices face re-election, one against a candidate who is echoing election deniers. Learn more.

North Carolina (two seats)

Republicans would flip the court by winning one of the two seats on the ballot, with major consequences for redistricting and civil rights.

Ohio (three seats)

Democrats could flip the court as the GOP is defending three seats, but the GOP could also secure enough votes to bless its gerrymanders. Learn more.

Texas (five seats)

Democrats have candidates against five GOP justices across two high courts, but they struggle statewide. (The primary had action too.) Learn more.

Note: Many states have justices running uncontested (e.g. Minnesota, Nevada, Washington) or else have retention elections on the ballot (e.g. Arizona, California). Read Bolts’s full guide.

SECRETARIES OF STATE

Read Bolts’s full guide to secretaries of state.
Arizona SoS

GOP election denier Mark Finchem, who still wants to decertify the last presidential race, hopes to take over election administration in this critical swing state. Learn more.

Colorado SoS

Democrat Jena Griswold is seeking a second term against Republican Pam Anderson. A prominent election denier lost in the GOP primary. Learn more.

Connecticut SoS

Republican Dominic Rapini, the former board chair of a group that promoted conspiracies about 2020, faces Democratic lawmaker Stephanie Thomas. Learn more.

Georgia SoS

GOP incumbent Brad Raffensperger, who rebuffed Trump and later supported new voting restrictions, faces Democrat Bee Nguyen. Learn more.

Indiana SoS

Republican Diego Morales rode the Big Lie to oust a GOP incumbent, and now faces Democrat Destiny Wells. Learn more.

Iowa SoS

In the race between a GOP incumbent and a Democratic county auditor, recent voter restrictions adopted by the state have been a major faultline. Learn more in Bolts.

Michigan SoS

Democratic incumbent Jocelyn Benson faces Kristina Karamo, an avowed election denier who is endorsed by Trump and wants to upend the elections system. (Learn more in Bolts.)

Minnesota SoS

Democratic incumbent Steve Simon faces Kim Crockett, who has embraced Trump’s lies about 2020. (Learn more.)

Nevada SoS

One of the chief organizers of a nationwide slate of election deniers is Jim Marchant, the GOP nominee in Nevada. He faces Democrat Cisco Aguilar. Learn more.

New Mexico SoS

GOP nominee Audrey Trujillo has embraced the Big Lie in challenging Democratic incumbent Maggie Toulouse Oliver. Learn more.

Ohio SoS

A GOP incumbent who has grown increasingly confident echoing false claims of fraud is running for re-election. Learn more.

Pennsylvania SoS (via governor)

The identity of the next secretary of state will be decided by the winner of the governor’s race. The GOP nominee in that race,  election denier Doug Mastriano, says this is a priority for him. Learn more in Bolts.

Vermont SoS

A Democratic lawmaker who wants to support local experiment to expand voter eligibility faces a Republican election denier. Learn more.
Washington SoS

The GOP is shut out of the runoff in an office it had not lost since 1964, with a Democrat and an independent facing off. Learn more.

Wisconsin SoS

The office does not oversee election administration, but Republicans want to change that if they win it. Learn more.

ATTORNEYS GENERAL

Attorneys general play a major role on prosecutions, public lawsuits, and consumer protection.
Arizona

GOP nominee Abraham Hamadeh is part of the slate of election deniers running in Arizona, with Trump’s support. Democratic nominee Kris Mayes wants to stop prosecutors from criminalizing abortion.

California

Roy Bonta was a major target of the right over his support for criminal justice reform, but he showed strength in the June primary.

Colorado

Democrat Phil Weiser is seeking a second term against prosecutor John Kellner, who has campaigned on rising crime.

Delaware

Democrat Kathy Jennings, who heads the state’s prosecutor offices and unveiled a slate of criminal justice reforms while in office, is up for re-election.

Florida

GOP incumbent Ashley Moody faces Aramis Ayala, the former Orlando prosecutor who clashed with state Republicans over her opposition to the death penalty.

Georgia

Republican Chris Carr seeks re-election against Democrat Jen Jordan, who wishes to curtail enforcement of abortion bans.

Idaho

Raúl Labrador, a far-right Republican who was a vocal member of the Freedom Caucus, ousted the GOP incumbent and now faces Democrat Tom Arkoosh.

Iowa

Tom Miller is the nation’s longest-serving attorney general, but it’s grown harder for a Democrat to win in Iowa. Republican Brenna Bird is mounting attack ads featuring a transgender person.

Kansas

Republican Kris Kobach, a former secretary of state and a champion of failed voting restrictions and false fraud charges, is seeking a comeback and faces Democrat Chris Mann.

Michigan

Democratic incumbent Dana Nessel faces Republican Matt DePerno, with major stakes for the criminalization of abortion and of elections.

Minnesota

Republican Jim Schultz is challenging Keith Ellison, the progressive attorney general who drew widespread attention for his role in prosecutiing Derek Chauvin over the murder of George Floyd.

New Mexico

In a state where prosecutors coalesce to stop criminal justice reform, Democrats are running a DA for this open seat, and the GOP nominee is running on a law-and-order message, pinpointing homeless encampments.

Nevada

Aaron Ford, one of many vulnerable Democrats in Nevada, faces Republican Sigal Chattah.

Ohio

In this reddening state, Republican Dave Yost seeks a second-term against Democratic lawmaker Jeff Crossman, who has run on protecting abortion rights.

Texas

Indictments for securities fraud have loomed over GOP incumbent Ken Paxton for years but he has remained a darling of the far-right due to his efforts to police voting and target LGBTQ youth. He faces Democrat Rochelle Garza.

Vermont

The office is technically held by the GOP: The Republican governor appointed Susanne Young this year to replace a Democrat who retired. But Young is not running and Democrats are favored to regain the office.

Wisconsin

Eric Toney, a GOP DA who wants to throw the book at ordinary voters to combat purported fraud, is challenging first-term Democrat Josh Kaul.

OTHER STATEWIDE OFFICIALS

Arizona | Superintendent of Public Instruction

Tom Horne, a GOP former superintendent who championed a ban on ethnic studies and is now running against bilingual education, is challenging Democratic incumbent Kathy Hoffman.

Arizona | Public Service Commission

Two seats are up, and the body would flip if Democrats sweep the seats. The candidates differ starkly in their approaches to regulating utilities.

California | Controller

California’s only statewide election that may be competitive.

Connecticut | Treasurer

An open race has Democrats trying to retain all elected statewide offices.

Florida | Chief Financial Officer

One of Florida’s four Cabinet positions pits a GOP incumbent against a former Democratic lawmaker.

Florida | Agriculture Commissioner

Florida’s only statewide office still held by Democrats is open and could flip.

Georgia | Lieutenant Governor

A fact looming over the race: Republican nominee Burt Jones worked to overturn the 2020 election.

Georgia | Labor Commissioner

This open statewide seat has two lawmakers facing off.

Iowa | Auditor

First-term auditor Rob Sand is the only statewide Democrat under age 70. He faces a tough battle in a reddening state.

Iowa | Treasurer

The 40-year incumbent, Democrat Michael Fitzgerald, is trying to resist the state’s jump to the right.

Kansas | Treasurer

An appointed Democrat, Lynn Rogers, is seeking a full term in this red state.

Missouri | Auditor

The only statewide office controlled by Democrats is open, and could flip.
Nevada | Lieutenant Governor

Democrats face headwinds in all statewide races, and this race features an appointed incumbent.

Nevada | Controller

An open race could help enable the state GOP regain a statewide footing.

Nevada | Treasurer

Michele Fiore, a local politician who regularly grabs national headlines for her ultra-conservative politics, is challenging the Democratic incumbent.

New Mexico | Treasurer

This open seat features two candidates named Montoya, Laura (the Democrat) and Harry (the Republican).

Oregon | Labor Commissioner

The race is technically nonpartisan, but the two candidates are Democratic labor attorney Christina Stephenson and former Republican lawmaker Cheri Helt.

South Carolina | Superintendent of Education

Democrats are running the founder of a grassroots teachers’ organization, Lisa Ellis, against Republican Ellen Weaver, an advocate for school vouchers.

Texas | Land Commissioner

This is one of Texas’s statewide offices that is open, vacated by George P. Bush.

Vermont | Lieutenant Governor

The GOP has a hold on the governor’s office but Democrats expect to at least keep the second-in-line post.

OTHER STATEWIDE STAKES

Arizona

Will the GOP retain a majority on the Public Service Commission?

Illinois

Will Democrats retain the supreme court?

Michigan

Will Democrats retain the supreme court?

New Hampshire

Will the GOP retain a majority on the state’s executive council?
North Carolina

Will Democrats retain the supreme court?
Ohio

Will the GOP retain the supreme court?

Wlil Democrats retain any statewide offices in…

Florida
Iowa
Missouri

Will Republicans retain any statewide offices in…

Maryland
Massachusetts

LOCAL OFFICES

JudgesProsecutorsSheriffsCity & County LeadersElection Admin., Legislative DistrictsSchool Boards

LOCAL JUDGES

California | Los Angeles superior court (four seats)

Four candidates formed an informal progressive slate on a platform of reducing incarceration. Learn more in Bolts.

Kentucky | Franklin County (Frankfort) circuit court

A judge in Kentucky’s capital has drawn conservative ire and is targeted by Mitch McConnell’s PAC. Learn more in Bolts.

Mississippi | Appellate Court

This state has vanishingly few contested elections. That alone makes Democrat Bruce Burton’s challenge to Judge Virginia Carlton, a former GOP lawmaker, stand out; race is in the fourth district.
Texas | Harris County (Houston) courts (9 seats)

A slate of reform-minded judges took over the county bench in 2018; nine GOP challengers are or were recently working in the DA’s office, which has fought bail reforms. Learn more in Bolts.
Texas | Tarrant County (Fort Worth) juvenile court

A judge who treats his courtroom and the children who appear on it as reality TV, in a county with harsh treatment of youth, faces a defense attorney challenger. Learn more.
For Cook County (Chicago) residents, Injustice Watch provides an invaluable guide to all local judges.

PROSECUTORS

Alabama | Mobile County DA

In red Alabama, Democrat Moshae Davidson is deploying reform themes, including signaling that she could use her discretion to refuse prosecuting abortion.

Arizona | Maricopa County (Phoenix) county attorney

Democrat Julie Gunnigle is running on promises to not prosecute abortion and to advance reforms. GOP incumbent Rachel Mitchell gained national fame for her questioning during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings. Learn more in Bolts and The Appeal.

California | Alameda County (Oakland) DA

An open seat pits assistant DA Terry Willey against reform candidate Pamela Price. More soon.

California | San Francisco DA

Chesa Boudin’s recall in June triggered a special election and newly appointed DA Brooke Jenkins, who is rolling back Boudin’s reforms, faces John Hamasaki, who is aligned with progressives.

Florida | Pinellas (St Petersburg) & Pasco state attorney

A public defender’s decision to challenge a DeSantis appointee gives the area its first contested prosecutor race in decades, with unusually large stakes not just for abortion and reform but also for preemption. Learn more in Bolts.

Indiana | Marion County (Indianapolis) prosecutor

Democratic incumbent Ryan Mears is clashing with the local police union. Mears faces Republican Cyndi Carrasco, who has criticized his decision to refuse prosecution of marijuana cases.

Iowa | Polk County (Des Moines) prosecutor

Reformer Kimberly Graham won the Democratic primary in Iowa’s most populous county, and is favored in the general; she has pledged to not prosecute abortion. Learn more in Bolts.

Massachusetts | Plymouth County DA

A civil rights attorney is vying to take over the reform torch and is challenging a longtime tough-on-crime DA. Learn more in Bolts.

Massachusetts | Cape and Islands DA

The winner will replace a retiring incumbent who has been a chief critic of the Bay State’s progressive reforms.

Minnesota | Hennepin County (Minneapolis) county attorney

The county’s first prosecutor race since George Floyd’s murder features major contrasts on reform and policing. More soon.

Nebraska | Douglas County (Omaha) DA

Incumbent Don Kleine switched to the GOP two years ago, after the Democratic Party accused him of furthering white supremacy for not bringing charges against the man who killed James Scurlock, a Black protester. He now faces reform-minded Democrat Dave Pantos.

Nebraska | Lancaster County DA

GOP incumbent Pat Condon faces Adam Morfeld, a Democrat who founded the progressive organization Civic Nebraska.

New Hampshire | Hillsborough County (Manchester) county attorney

In a very rare contested prosecutor race in this state, a longtime GOP incumbent faces Nicholas Sarwark, chair of the national Libertarian Party from 2014 to 2020.

North Carolina | Forsyth County DA

Incumbent Jim O’Neill, a fervent Trump supporter who narrowly lost a bid for statewide office in 2020, faces retired judge Denise Hartsfield in a blue-leaning county.

Oklahoma | Oklahoma County prosecutor

In this open race, a conservative fire-breather faces a Democratic former prosecutor. More soon.

Texas | Dallas County DA

Democratic incumbent John Creuzot faces a rematch against former Republican DA Faith Johnson. Meanwhile, the local jail has remained in crisis mode and reforms have been limited. Learn more in Bolts.

Texas | Hays County DA

In this fast-growing county, a Democratic defense attorney calls it a “blessing” he has never been a prosecutor and promises progressive reforms. Learn more in Bolts.

Texas | Tarrant County (Fort Worth) DA

A punitive DA’s retirement has sparked an open contest amid the Texas GOP’s latest efforts to criminalize abortion and trans youth. Learn more in Bolts.

Washington | King County (Seattle) prosecutor

The open prosecutor race has come down to Leesa Manion, running as a cautious reformer, and Jim Ferrell, who wishes to roll back recent reforms.

Washington | Spokane County prosecutor

Incumbent Larry Haskell, who has used his authority to gut criminal justice reforms, HuffPost reports, is running for re-election.

SHERIFFS

California | Los Angeles County sheriff

In an office plagued by scandals, incumbent Alex Villanueva faces Robert Luna; a long history of failed reform efforts haunts the race. Learn more in Bolts.

California | San Diego County sheriff

This election is unfolding against the backdrop of a string of deaths in the local jail; the candidate most intent on reform lost in June. Learn more in Bolts.

Florida | Duval County (Jacksonville) sheriff

A special election has escalated into tensions and negative attacks.

Maryland | Frederick County sheriff

Chuck Jenins, a longtime Republican sheriff with ties to the far-right and draconian anti-immigrant policies, is running for re-election. Learn more in Bolts.

Massachusetts | Barnstable County (Cape Cod) sheriff

This is the only county in all of New England participating in ICE’s 287(g) program to assist with immigration enforcement. This race could end that. Learn more in Bolts.

Massachusetts | Bristol County sheriff

Sheriff Thomas Hodgson has drawn years of protests over the conditions in his jail and his handling of immigrant detainees. More soon.

Minnesota | Hennepin County sheriff

The incumbent retired after pleading guilty to a DUI, leaving an open race for an office that’s been under local scrutiny for its relationship with ICE.

New Mexico | Doña Ana County (Las Cruces) sheriff

A GOP challenger wants this border county to have a tighter relationship with ICE and immigration enforcement than under the Democratic incumbent. Learn more.

North Carolina | Wake County (Raleigh) sheriff

North Carolina’s most populous county fired its GOP sheriff who closely collaborated with ICE in 2018. Now he is mounting a comeback. Learn more in Bolts.

North Carolina | Alamance County sheriff

Sheriff Terry Johnson, a Republican long notorious for anti-immigrant practices and for shutting down a protest in 2020, faces his first challenge in more than a decade.

Washington | Klickitat County sheriff

Far-right Sheriff Bob Songer, who rejected COVID-19 restrictions in the name of his oath to the “Supreme Judge of the Universe,” which he says ties his function to Christianity, faces a tough re-election bid.

Wisconsin | Dane County (Madison) sheriff

Democrat Kalvin Barrett, who is favored to win re-election in this blue county, has pledged to not investigate abortion cases.

LOCAL LEADERSHIP: MAYORS, COUNCILS, BOARDS, CONTROLLERS

California | Los Angeles mayor

Congressmember Karen Bass faces businessman Robert Caruso, who has run to the right of the field and came in second in the June primary.

California | Los Angeles controller race

A candidate wants to use this opaque office to bring more visibility to the city budget and the size of public funds that go to the police. Learn more in Bolts.

California | Los Angeles city attorney

The election for an office that handles low-level offenses is a test for local reform politics, as one of the two candidates has grabbed the progressive mantle.

California | Los Angeles council districts 11 and 13

After Eunisses Hernandez’s election in June, progressives hope to expand their clout via Erin Darling in the 11th district and Hugo Soto-Martinez in the 13th. The latter faces incumbent Mitch O’Farrell, in an election with major fault lines over policing and homelessness.

California | Santa Clara mayor

This mayoral race has become a proxy battle between the owners of the San Francisco 49ers and of the Miami Dolphins, clashing over the future of development.

California | Chula Vista mayor

Democrat Ammar Campa-Najjar, of U.S. House races fame, faces Republican John McCann to lead the second most populous city in the San Diego region.

California | Oakland mayor

An ideologically broad array of 10 candidates is running for mayor, in a race that will be decided by ranked-choice voting.

Florida | Tallahassee mayor

The growth of housing developments has exacerbated disagreements in a race that veered personal over campaign tactics.

Hawaii | Honolulu city council

Val Okimoto, one of just five Republicans in the entire Hawaii legislature (out of 76 members), is seeking a transition to the Honolulu council against Democrat Ron Menor. Civil Beat reports the candidates are bringing different lenses to discussing homelessness.
Kentucky | Louisville mayor

This open race is exposing disagreements over policing and abortion.

Kentucky | Lexington mayor

Republican Linda Gorton is running for a second term against Democrat David Kloiber.

Missouri | St Louis County executive

Republicans went with a party-switching lawmaker to challenge the Democratic incumbent leading the state’s most populous county.

New Jersey | Cumberland County

Southern Jersey is shifting red, and the GOP could flip the county government if it wins both commissioner seats on the ballot.

New Jersey | Gloucester County

This is the same situation as in neighboring Cumberland: GOP could flip the commission if it wins both seats on the ballot.

North Carolina | Raleigh mayor

Mary-Ann Baldwin is running for re-election against fellow Democrats DaQuanta Copeland and Terrance Ruth, who criticizes Baldwin for her ties to developers.

Oregon | Portland city council

Commissioner Jo Ann Hardesty, a progressive known for her vocal criticisms of policing, faces Rene Gonzalez, who is pressing for more police and prosecution and a tougher approach toward people experiencing homelessness.

Oregon | Multnomah County (Portland) executive

Housing and homelessness are also issues dominating the race to take over the county that contains Portland.

Texas | Austin mayor

Six candidates are running to lead the Texas capital in an open race.

Texas | Austin mayor

Six candidates are running to lead Texas’ capital city in an open race where policing and housing are predictably major issues.

Texas | Dallas County commissioner

The only Republican on the county commissioners court, J. J. Koch, faces Democrat Andrew Sommerman. The election, which may push the Dallas GOP to a nadir, is a proxy battle over criminal justice reform.

Texas | Harris County judge (equivalent of county president)

At age 27, Lina Hidalgo became a national progessive star after taking over the nation’s third largest county in 2018. She now faces a tough re-election battle.

Texas | Tarrant County judge (equivalent of county president)

In the nationally-watched race to lead a county of more than 2 million, Tim O’Hare clinched the GOP nomination by railing against “diversity and inclusion” programs. He faces Deborah Peoples, a progressive Democrat who fell short in the Fort Worth mayoral race in 2020.

Utah | San Juan County commission

This county has been the site of a long legal and political battle over Navajo representation; the 2022 midterms will again determine whether the board has a Navajo-majority.

Washington, D.C. | Mayor

Muriel Bowser is favored to secure a rare third term.

Washington, D.C. | At-large council seats

Three council members, plus other candidates, are vying for two seats, with the major face-off occurring between incumbent Kenyan McDuffie and progressive candidate Elissa Silverman.

ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS

Colorado | Adams County clerk

Several election deniers lost GOP primaries to take over local systems in June, but Bolts reported that the GOP nominee for clerk in Adams County is echoing false conspiracies.

Minnesota | St Louis County auditor

In a blue-leaning county, Democratic incumbent Nancy Nilsen is challenged by Republican Victore Ironcroft, who just this fall was protesting a local drag show.

Utah | Salt Lake County clerk

The GOP nominee to take over the local elections system is echoing false conspiracies about the 2020 election.

KEY LEGISLATIVE DISTRICTS

Arizona Senate

#LD22: Democrats need to mount a write-in to win a safe seat after their nominee dropped out.
Colorado Senate

The biggest threat to Democrats’ trifecta: The party needs two of the following districts to keep the chamber, per a Denver Post analysis: SD3, SD8, SD11, SD15, SD20, SD24, and SD27.
Massachusetts Senate

A rare competitive district in Massachusetts has one of the state’s more conservative lawmakers (Shawn Dooley) challenging one of its most progressive senators (Becca Rausch).
Michigan Senate

The GOP has controlled chamber since 1984, but the chamber could flip. Michigan Live reports that the key districts to watch are: SD4, SD9, SD11, SD12, SD13, SD14, SD28, SD30, SD32, SD35.
Minnesota Senate

One of the tightest chambers in the nation may come down to these 5 districts, MinnPost reports: SD3, SD16, SD35, SD36, SD41.
New Hampshire | Executive Council

This 5-member body is not technically part of the legislature but has important powers. Districts 1 through 4, now controlled by Republicans, are all only narrowly red. (District 2 is a Democratic vote sink.)
Utah | House

In HD16, far-right GOP nominee Trevor Lee has a history of homophobia, and faces a write-in bid from Steve Handy, the GOP lawmaker he ousted at a convention.

Wisconsin | Senate and Assembly

The GOP is on the verge of gaining veto-proof supermajorities in staggeringly gerrymandered Wisconsin. Wisconsin analyst The Recombobulation Area analyzes that the following races will decide if they get there.

Senate: SD3, SD5, SD19, SD25 (GOP needs three of four).
Assembly: AD33, AD45, AD51, AD54, AD64, AD71, AD73, AD74, AD84, AD94.

Bolts will update the list of key legislative districts in swing chambers as the election nears.

SCHOOL BOARDS

Arizona | Chandler and Mesa

The elections for school boards in Chandler and in Mesa feature far-right candidates focused on LGBTQ kids and discussions of race, as well as candidates who have come out of the Red for Ed activism on behalf of teachers.

California

Roughly 2,500 seats are up in California alone, and conservatives are hoping to move the boards rightward. CalMatters spotlights races for:

—the Chino Valley School Board in San Bernardino County
—the San Juan Unified School District Board in Sacramento County
—the Tustin Unified School District in Orange County

Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis has pushed for a conservative takeover of school boards and endorsed a large slate of candidates, many of whom won on Aug. 23. But some moved to a runoff:

Hendry: Stephanie Busin vs. Joe Whitehead
Indian River: Jacqueline Rosario vs. Cynthia Gibbs
Lee: Sam Fisher vs. Kathy Fanny
Manatee: Cindy Spray vs. Hard Byrd
Pasco: Al Hernandez vs. James Washington
Volusia: Jamie Haynes vs. Al Bouie
(DeSantis-backed candidates listed first in each race.)

In Broward County, conservative activist Brenda Fam is up against Steven Julian.

Maryland: Montgomery County

Of four candidates endorsed by a conservative group organized against “critical race theory,” only one moved into a November runoff, in District 3.

Texas: Williamson County

Five conservatives are running to take over the Round Rock Independent School Board, amid flaring tensions around censorship and diversity.

Washington, D.C.

The board of education has sparked some of the city’s only competitive fall elections, DCist reports.

Thank you for reading!

 

Source: https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/2022-general-election-cheat-sheet/

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