The 2026 midterm elections are shaping up to be a defining moment for the future of American democracy, with the oversight of the 2028 presidential election hanging in the balance. In total, 24 states will directly elect their next secretaries of state or chief election officials, while another five states have top officials appointed by offices that are also on the ballot this cycle. Collectively, these officials will oversee election administration in states representing 325 electoral votes.
These roles are far from ceremonial. The winners will hold the power to issue rules that clarify state election laws, manage the maintenance of voter rolls, and decide the level of cooperation with federal authorities. They also command a bully pulpit that can be used to champion voter access or emphasize the prosecution of voting irregularities. With 13 states already guaranteed to have new leadership due to open seats, the political landscape of election administration is poised for a significant shift.
One of the most watched contests is in Georgia, a pivotal presidential swing state. Incumbent Brad Raffensperger, who gained national attention for resisting efforts to overturn the 2020 election results, is retiring. The race to succeed him features former Judge Penny Brown Reynolds, the Democratic candidate, and Republican State Representative Tim Fleming. Reynolds has made resisting election interference a cornerstone of her platform, while Fleming has aligned with priorities such as the SAVE America Act and the elimination of no-excuse absentee voting. The winner will be tasked with implementing a brand-new voting system ahead of the 2028 cycle.
Democrats are eyeing several pick-up opportunities in traditionally Republican-leaning states. In Iowa, four-term incumbent Paul Pate is facing a competitive challenge from Democrat Ryan Peterman, a former Navy pilot. In Kansas, Democratic former State Representative Jennifer Day is running against Republican State Representative Pat Proctor, who led the House Elections Committee in passing several restrictive voting measures. Ohio remains a battleground as well, where Democratic State Representative Allison Russo and Republican State Treasurer Robert Sprague are clashing over voter ID requirements, the use of drop boxes, and proof-of-citizenship mandates.
Unique political dynamics are also at play in Nebraska and Indiana. In Nebraska, Republican incumbent Bob Evnen lost his primary to Scott Petersen, who has questioned the security of the state’s voting systems. This has opened a path for Democratic businesswoman Sarah Slattery, particularly with the entry of moderate former State Senator Bob Krist as an America First Party candidate who could split the Republican vote. Similarly, in Indiana, Marine veteran Beau Bayh is leading the Democratic ticket against Republican Max Engling, while former Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard is running as an independent, potentially disrupting traditional party lines.
Republicans, meanwhile, are aggressively targeting Democratic-held seats in swing states. In Michigan, the departure of Jocelyn Benson has led to a tight race between Democratic Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist and Republican Macomb County Clerk Anthony Forlini. The candidates differ sharply on federal cooperation, with Gilchrist vowing to protect voter data from federal overreach and Forlini expressing more willingness to coordinate on roll maintenance. In Arizona and Nevada, Democratic incumbents Adrian Fontes and Francisco Aguilar are defending their seats against challengers who have previously questioned the validity of past elections. In Nevada, the race is a rematch between Aguilar and former State Representative Jim Marchant, while in Arizona, Fontes is facing State Representative Alexander Kolodin, a vocal critic of the state’s current mail-voting systems.
In states where the chief election official is not directly elected, the gubernatorial and legislative races take on added significance. In Florida and Texas, Democratic gubernatorial candidates are hoping to gain the power to appoint the secretary of state. In New Hampshire, the legislature—which appoints the secretary—could see a shift in partisan control. Alaska also presents a unique case, where the lieutenant governor manages elections and will be selected through the state’s ranked-choice voting system.
Even in non-competitive states, transitions are noteworthy. Wyoming’s pro-Trump Secretary of State Chuck Gray will be replaced by Robert Short, a Republican who has rejected fraud claims and supports expanded mail voting. In South Dakota, Republican Heather Baxter won her primary on a platform of hand-counting ballots. As these races conclude, the new class of secretaries of state will immediately begin the task of preparing the infrastructure for the next race for the White House.
