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2026 United States secretary of state elections
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The 2026 United States secretary of state elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, to elect the secretary of state of twenty-six U.S. states.
The previous secretary of state elections for this group of states took place in 2022. The secretary of state of Vermont serves two-year terms and was last elected in 2024.
These elections will take place concurrently with various other federal, state, and local elections.
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Partisan composition
Going into these elections, this class of secretaries of state is made up of 13 Democrats and 13 Republicans. Democrats are defending four states won by Donald Trump in 2024 (Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin), while Republicans do not hold any states won by Kamala Harris.
Race summary
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Alabama
Secretary of State Wes Allen was elected in 2022 with 65.9% of the vote. He is retiring to run for Lieutenant Governor.[1]
Arizona
Secretary of State Adrian Fontes was elected in 2022 with 52.4% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term in office.[4] Fontes hinted at a potential primary challenge to Arizona governor Katie Hobbs, but ultimately decided against it.[39] Alexander Kolodin, representative for District 3 in the Arizona House of Representatives, announced his campaign for the Republican nomination on March 31.[5]
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Arkansas
Secretary of State John Thurston resigned after being elected as state treasurer in 2024. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Cole Jester to fill the remainder of his term. However, he is ineligible to run for a full term per the state constitution. Republican candidates include state senator Kim Hammer.[6]
California
Secretary of State Shirley Weber was elected in 2022 with 60.1% of the vote. She is running for re-election to a second term.[9]
Colorado
Secretary of State Jena Griswold was re-elected in 2022 with 55.1% of the vote. She will be term limited by the Colorado Constitution and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.[40] Democratic candidates include Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez.[11]
Connecticut
Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas was elected in 2022 with 55.2% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if she will do so.
Georgia
Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was re-elected in 2022 with 53.2% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so. Republican state representative Tim Fleming, and businessman Kelvin King and have announced plans to run for the position.[12]
Idaho
Secretary of State Phil McGrane was elected in 2022 with 72.5% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Illinois
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias was elected in 2022 with 54.3% of the vote. He is running for re-election. Republican Walter Adamczyk is running against him.[14][15]
Indiana
Secretary of State Diego Morales was elected in 2022 with 54.1% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term.[16] Beau Bayh, judicial law clerk for the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and son of former Indiana governor Evan Bayh, is a potential Democratic candidate.[41]
Iowa
Secretary of State Paul Pate was re-elected in 2022 with 60.1% of the vote. He is running for re-election.[20]
Kansas
Secretary of State Scott Schwab was re-elected in 2022 with 58.4% of the vote. He is retiring to run for governor.[22]
Massachusetts
Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin was re-elected in 2022 with 67.7% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election to a ninth term but has not yet stated if he will do so. Democratic state senator Becca Rausch is seen as a potential primary challenger to Galvin.[42]
Michigan
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson was re-elected in 2022 with 55.9% of the vote. She is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
Aghogho Edevbie, the deputy secretary of state of Michigan, has announced that he will run for the seat as a Democrat. Ingham County clerk Barbara Byrum also joined the race in May 2025.[26][25]
Democratic state senator Jeremy Moss was viewed as a potential candidate before announcing his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives.[26][43]
Minnesota
Secretary of State Steve Simon was re-elected in 2022 with 54.5% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Simon is rumored to be considering a gubernatorial bid if Minnesota Governor Tim Walz does not run for re-election. If Simon runs for governor or does not run for re-election, potential candidates to succeed him as secretary of state include state representative Emma Greenman and DFL official Ben Weisbuch.[44]
Nebraska
Secretary of State Bob Evnen was re-elected unopposed in 2022. He is running for re-election to a third term.[27]
New Mexico
Secretary of State Maggie Toulouse Oliver was re-elected in 2022 with 54.5% of the vote. She is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
North Dakota
Secretary of State Michael Howe was re-elected in 2022 with 63.3% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Ohio
Secretary of State Frank LaRose was re-elected in 2022 with 59.3% of the vote. He is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. Ohio State Treasurer Robert Sprague has launched a bid for the Republican nomination,[33] while Ohio Senate Majority Leader Theresa Gavarone has expressed interest in the seat.[45]
Rhode Island
Secretary of State Gregg Amore was re-elected in 2022 with 59.5% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term in office.[35]
South Carolina
Secretary of State Mark Hammond was re-elected in 2022 with 63.3% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
South Dakota
Secretary of State Monae Johnson was elected in 2022 with 63.9% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election and has stated her intent to do so.[46]
Vermont
Secretary of State Sarah Copeland-Hanzas was re-elected in 2024 with 59.6% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if she will do so.
Wisconsin
Secretary of State Sarah Godlewski was appointed in 2023 after Doug La Follette resigned. She is retiring and considering a run for lieutenant governor.[47]
Wyoming
Secretary of State Chuck Gray was elected in 2022 with 91.6% of the vote, without major party opposition. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Notes
- The Arkansas State Constitution prohibits appointees from running for election.
- Weber took office after her predecessor (Alex Padilla) resigned.
References
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