| ||||||||||||||||
26 secretary of state offices[a] | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||
Democratic incumbent Term-limited or retiring Democrat Republican incumbent Term-limited or retiring Republican No election | ||||||||||||||||
The2026 United States secretary of state elections are scheduled to be held on November 3, 2026, to elect thesecretary of state of twenty-sixU.S. states.
The previous secretary of state elections for this group of states took place in2022. The secretary of state of Vermont serves two-year terms and was last elected in2024.
These elections will take place concurrently with various otherfederal, state, and local elections.
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 byDonald Trump in2024 (Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, and Wisconsin), while Republicans do not hold any states won byKamala Harris.
Several sites and individuals published predictions of competitive seats. These predictions looked at factors such as the strength of theincumbent (if the incumbent was running for reelection) and the other candidates, and the state's partisan lean (reflected in part by the state'sCook Partisan Voting Index rating). The predictions assigned ratings to each seat, indicating the predicted advantage that a party had in winning that seat. Most election predictors used:
| Constituency | Incumbent | Ratings | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State | PVI[1] | Secretary of State | Last election[b] | Sabato Aug. 7, 2025[2] |
| Alabama | R+15 | Wes Allen (retiring) | 65.9% R | Safe R |
| Arizona | R+2 | Adrian Fontes | 52.4% D | Tossup |
| Arkansas | R+15 | Cole Jester (term-limited)[c] | Appointed (2025)[d] | Safe R |
| California | D+12 | Shirley Weber | 60.1% D | Safe D |
| Colorado | D+6 | Jena Griswold (term-limited) | 55.1% D | Safe D |
| Connecticut | D+8 | Stephanie Thomas | 55.2% D | Safe D |
| Georgia | R+1 | Brad Raffensperger (retiring) | 53.2% R | Lean R |
| Idaho | R+18 | Phil McGrane | 72.1% R | Safe R |
| Illinois | D+6 | Alexi Giannoulias | 54.3% D | Safe D |
| Indiana | R+9 | Diego Morales | 54.1% R | Likely R |
| Iowa | R+6 | Paul Pate | 60.1% R | Likely R |
| Kansas | R+8 | Scott Schwab (retiring) | 58.4% R | Safe R |
| Massachusetts | D+14 | William F. Galvin | 67.7% D | Safe D |
| Michigan | EVEN | Jocelyn Benson (term-limited) | 55.9% D | Tossup |
| Minnesota | D+3 | Steve Simon | 54.5% DFL | Likely D |
| Nebraska | R+10 | Bob Evnen | 100.0% R[e] | Safe R |
| Nevada | R+1 | Cisco Aguilar | 49.0% D | Tossup |
| New Mexico | D+4 | Maggie Toulouse Oliver (term-limited) | 54.5% D | Safe D |
| North Dakota | R+18 | Michael Howe | 63.2% R | Safe R |
| Ohio | R+5 | Frank LaRose (term-limited) | 59.3% R | Likely R |
| Rhode Island | D+8 | Gregg Amore | 59.5% D | Safe D |
| South Carolina | R+8 | Mark Hammond | 63.3% R | Safe R |
| South Dakota | R+15 | Monae Johnson | 63.9% R | Safe R |
| Vermont | D+17 | Sarah Copeland Hanzas | 59.6% D | Safe D |
| Wisconsin | EVEN | Sarah Godlewski (retiring) | Appointed (2023)[f] | Tossup |
| Wyoming | R+23 | Chuck Gray | 91.6% R | Safe R |
| State | Secretary of state | Party | First elected | Status | Candidates |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Wes Allen | Republican | 2022 | Incumbent retiring torun for lieutenant governor[3] |
|
| Arizona | Adrian Fontes | Democratic | 2022 | Incumbent running |
|
| Arkansas | Cole Jester | Republican | 2025(appointed) | Term-limited[g] |
|
| California | Shirley Weber | Democratic | 2021[h] | Incumbent running |
|
| Colorado | Jena Griswold | Democratic | 2018 | Term-limited |
|
| Connecticut | Stephanie Thomas | Democratic | 2022 | Incumbent's intent unknown | TBD |
| Georgia | Brad Raffensperger | Republican | 2018 | Incumbent retiring torun for governor[16] |
|
| Idaho | Phil McGrane | Republican | 2022 | Incumbent's intent unknown | TBD |
| Illinois | Alexi Giannoulias | Democratic | 2022 | Incumbent running |
|
| Indiana | Diego Morales | Republican | 2022 | Incumbent running | |
| Iowa | Paul Pate | Republican | 2014 | Incumbent running | |
| Kansas | Scott Schwab | Republican | 2018 | Incumbent retiring torun for governor[34] |
|
| Massachusetts | William F. Galvin | Democratic | 1994 | Incumbent's intent unknown | TBD |
| Michigan | Jocelyn Benson | Democratic | 2018 | Term-limited |
|
| Minnesota | Steve Simon | DFL | 2014 | Incumbent's intent unknown |
|
| Nebraska | Bob Evnen | Republican | 2018 | Incumbent running | |
| Nevada | Cisco Aguilar | Democratic | 2022 | Incumbent's intent unknown |
|
| New Mexico | Maggie Toulouse Oliver | Democratic | 2016(special) | Term-limited | |
| North Dakota | Michael Howe | Republican | 2022 | Incumbent's intent unknown | TBD |
| Ohio | Frank LaRose | Republican | 2018 | Term-limited |
|
| Rhode Island | Gregg Amore | Democratic | 2022 | Incumbent running |
|
| South Carolina | Mark Hammond | Republican | 2002 | Incumbent's intent unknown | TBD |
| South Dakota | Monae Johnson | Republican | 2022 | Incumbent running |
|
| Vermont | Sarah Copeland-Hanzas | Democratic | 2022 | Incumbent running |
|
| Wisconsin | Sarah Godlewski | Democratic | 2023(appointed) | Incumbent retiring torun for lieutenant governor[57] |
|
| Wyoming | Chuck Gray | Republican | 2022 | Incumbent's intent unknown | TBD |
Secretary of StateWes Allen was elected in2022 with 65.9% of the vote. He is retiring to run for Lieutenant Governor.[3]
Secretary of StateAdrian Fontes was elected in2022 with 52.4% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term in office.[7] Fontes hinted at a potential primary challenge to Arizona governorKatie Hobbs, but ultimately decided against it.[61]Alexander Kolodin, representative for District 3 in theArizona House of Representatives, announced his campaign for the Republican nomination on March 31.[8]
Secretary of StateJohn Thurston resigned after being elected as state treasurer in2024. GovernorSarah Huckabee Sanders appointedCole 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 senatorKim Hammer.[9]
Secretary of StateShirley Weber was elected in2022 with 60.1% of the vote. She is running for re-election to a second term.[13] RepublicanOrange CountysupervisorDon Wagner is also running for the position.[12]
Secretary of StateJena Griswold was re-elected in2022 with 55.1% of the vote. She will be term limited by theColorado Constitution and cannot seek re-election to a third consecutive term.[62] Democratic candidates include Jefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez.[15]
Secretary of the StateStephanie Thomas was elected in2022 with 55.2% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if she will do so.Republican perennial candidate Peter Lumaj has created an exploratory committee, though has not specified which office he may run for.[63]
Secretary of StateBrad Raffensperger was re-elected in2022 with 53.2% of the vote. In September 2025, he decided to run for governor instead of seeking reelection as Secretary of State.[16] Republican state representativeTim Fleming, businessman Kelvin King, and former elections officialGabriel Sterling have announced plans to run for the position.[19][22]
Secretary of StatePhil McGrane was elected in2022 with 72.5% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Secretary of StateAlexi Giannoulias was elected in2022 with 54.3% of the vote. He is running for re-election. Republicans Walter Adamczyk andJoliet Junior College trustee Diane Harris are running against him.[24][23][25]
Secretary of StateDiego Morales was elected in2022 with 54.1% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term.[27] Beau Bayh, judicial law clerk for theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and son of former Indiana governorEvan Bayh, is running for the office as a Democrat.[64]
Secretary of StatePaul Pate was re-elected in2022 with 60.1% of the vote. He is running for re-election.[32] Democrat Navy veteran Ryan Peterman is running against him.[33]
Secretary of StateScott Schwab was re-elected in2022 with 58.4% of the vote. He is retiring to run for governor.[34] Republican state representativesPat Proctor andKen Rahjes are running for the position.[36][37] Construction inspector Samuel Lane is running as a Democrat.[35]
Secretary of the CommonwealthWilliam F. Galvin was re-elected in2022 with 67.7% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election to a ninth term and has expressed interest in doing so.[65] Democratic state senatorBecca Rausch is seen as a potential primary challenger to Galvin if he runs.[66]
Secretary of StateJocelyn Benson was re-elected in2022 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.[39] Other candidates for the Democratic nomination includeIngham County clerkBarbara Byrum and formerstate senatorAdam Hollier.[38][67]
Macomb County clerkAnthony Forlini and businesswoman Monica Yatooma are running for the Republican nomination.[40][42]
Secretary of StateSteve Simon was re-elected in2022 with 54.5% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
RepublicanTad Jude announced his candidacy on September 12, 2025.[68]
Secretary of StateBob Evnen was re-elected unopposed in2022. He is running for re-election to a third term.[43]
Secretary of StateCisco Aguilar was elected in2022 with 48.9% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
RepublicanSharron Angle has announced her candidacy.[69]
Secretary of StateMaggie Toulouse Oliver was re-elected in2022 with 54.5% of the vote. She is term-limited and cannot seek re-election.
Secretary of StateMichael Howe was re-elected in2022 with 63.3% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Secretary of StateFrank LaRose was re-elected in2022 with 59.3% of the vote. He is term-limited and cannot seek re-election. Ohio State TreasurerRobert Sprague has launched a bid for the Republican nomination.[50] On the Democrat side,oncologist Bryan Hambley and formerHouse minority leaderAllison Russo have announced runs.[48][49]
Secretary of StateGregg Amore was re-elected in2022 with 59.5% of the vote. He is running for re-election to a second term in office.[52]
Secretary of StateMark Hammond was re-elected in2022 with 63.3% of the vote. He is eligible to run for re-election but has not yet stated if he will do so.
Secretary of StateMonae Johnson was elected in2022 with 63.9% of the vote. She is eligible to run for re-election and has stated her intent to do so.[70] Democrat former state trooper Terrence Davis is running against her.[54]
Secretary of StateSarah Copeland Hanzas was re-elected in2024 with 59.6% of the vote. She is running for re-election.[56]
Secretary of StateSarah Godlewski was appointed in 2023 afterDoug La Follette resigned. She is retiring to run for lieutenant governor.[71]
Secretary of StateChuck Gray was elected in2022 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.
Fontes told The Post this week that he is running for reelection and is no longer considering challenging Hobbs in the Democratic primary for governor.
Walter Adamczyk... has announced he's running for Illinois secretary of state.
"I'm running for reelection," Giannoulias bluntly replied.
Political newcomer Sam Lane filed to run for secretary of state as a Democrat.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)