What’s on the Ballot

Our guides to the 2026 elections

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February 25, 2026

The 75 Elections to Watch This March

January 29, 2026

The 20 Elections to Watch This February

January 5, 2026

The 8 Elections to Watch This January

January 26, 2026

In Criminal Justice Elections This Year, ICE Contracts Are on the Hot Seat

Explore our resources…

… on election administration

Who Runs Our Elections?

This page compiles, state-by-state, the local offices that administer elections at the state, county, and municipal level. It lays out who oversees the preparation and conduct of the election, from… Read More

Who Counts Our Elections?

Who are the local and state officials responsible for counting, canvassing, and certifying elections? On this page, Bolts maps out each state’s system. It lays out who is responsible for… Read More

… on state courts

Your State-by-State Guide to Every State Supreme Court

From Washington Courts/Facebook Every state and territory has its own supreme court and every supreme court has tremendous power over legal cases and public policy within its borders—but the resemblances… Read More

Everything You Always Wanted to Know About State Supreme Courts

Why these courts matter, how they work, and the levers for changing them: Bolts answers your questions on these powerful institutions.

… on criminal justice elections

Which Counties Elect Their Prosecutors and Sheriffs in 2026?

There are roughly 2,400 elections for prosecutor and sheriff in 2026. Below is our Bolts database of those local elections. Also: read our preliminary overview of these elections, published in January 2026,… Read More

When Does Each County Elect Its Prosecutor and Sheriff?

This chart details the timeline of elections for chief prosecutor (also known as district attorney, state’s attorney, or commonwealth attorney) and sheriff in each state. Note: This calendar contains information… Read More

Chronicling the Nation’s Fragmented Institutions

There are thousands of public officials, elected on vastly varying schedules, with decisive roles in policy-making.

Our cheat sheets and databases offer readers a collection of resources that clarify who has the power to do what, and how they come to be in power in the first place. Created in 2018 by Daniel Nichanian, What’s on the Ballot joined Bolts in 2022.