This issue of EL&F magazine was in production about two weeks before the midterm elections. Below is an overview of the election outlook at press time.
Keep a close eye on the gubernatorial races in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Wisconsin, which are all rated as toss-ups by the state elections forecasters CNalysis. Additionally, the races in Maine, New Mexico, Kansas and Pennsylvania are expected to be close.
Most of the races that are forecast as toss-ups or slight leans are positions currently held by Democrats, including Nevada, Oregon, Maine, New Mexico and Wisconsin. Only one race forecast as a toss-up — Arizona — is currently held by Republicans. If the electorate skews towards Republicans in November, Democrats could see their control of 22 governorships shrink substantially.
Forecasters expect the two gubernatorial seats in dark-blue Maryland and Massachusetts, currently held by popular but term-limited moderate Republicans, to flip back to Democratic control. And Republicans are slightly favored to win back the governor’s mansion in Kansas from incumbent Democrat Laura Kelly.
On Nov. 8, 2022, 6,166 legislative seats in 46 states are up for election. That’s 84% of all state lawmakers (and special elections for vacant seats will increase that number). Of the 99 state legislative chambers, 88 will hold elections in 2022. Of the 46 states with legislative elections in 2022, 16 are controlled by Democrats, 28 are controlled by Republicans and two are split government. Only four states don’t have any legislative elections (house or senate) in 2022: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia.
- Governors: On Nov. 8, gubernatorial seats in 36 states are up for election.
- Legislatures: In 2022, legislative seats in 46 states are up for election, amounting for 6,166 of the 7,383 lawmakers. That’s 84% of all state lawmakers. Of the 99 state legislative chambers, 88 will hold elections in 2022.
- Ballot Measures: Voters will decide on 140 statewide ballot measures, which have been certified for the 2022 ballots in 38 states.
- Lieutenant Governors: This year, lieutenant gubernatorial seats in 30 states are up for election.
- Attorneys General: AG seats in 30 states are up for election this year.
- Secretaries of State: This year, secretary of state seats in 27 states are up for election.
Governors
On Nov. 8, gubernatorial seats in 36 states are up for election. Of these, 20 are currently held by Republicans and 16 are currently held by Democrats.Keep a close eye on the gubernatorial races in Arizona, Nevada, Oregon and Wisconsin, which are all rated as toss-ups by the state elections forecasters CNalysis. Additionally, the races in Maine, New Mexico, Kansas and Pennsylvania are expected to be close.
Most of the races that are forecast as toss-ups or slight leans are positions currently held by Democrats, including Nevada, Oregon, Maine, New Mexico and Wisconsin. Only one race forecast as a toss-up — Arizona — is currently held by Republicans. If the electorate skews towards Republicans in November, Democrats could see their control of 22 governorships shrink substantially.
Forecasters expect the two gubernatorial seats in dark-blue Maryland and Massachusetts, currently held by popular but term-limited moderate Republicans, to flip back to Democratic control. And Republicans are slightly favored to win back the governor’s mansion in Kansas from incumbent Democrat Laura Kelly.
Legislatures
Currently, Republicans control 30 state legislatures and Democrats control 17 state legislatures. Legislative control occurs when the same party controls both chambers of the legislatures in states with two chambers. A split legislature is one in which different political parties control the senate and the house—this is the case in three states.
On Nov. 8, 2022, 6,166 legislative seats in 46 states are up for election. That’s 84% of all state lawmakers (and special elections for vacant seats will increase that number). Of the 99 state legislative chambers, 88 will hold elections in 2022. Of the 46 states with legislative elections in 2022, 16 are controlled by Democrats, 28 are controlled by Republicans and two are split government. Only four states don’t have any legislative elections (house or senate) in 2022: Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey and Virginia.
Share:
Article Tags:
EL&F magazine article
Around the States
Column
2022