Thirty-eight states have announced their primary election dates for the year 2026.

Daily news update for Friday, September 5: Thirty-eight states have scheduled their state elections in 2026.

, and Administrator

2025 September 16 . 2:40 AM

2 min read

Thirty-eight states have scheduled their primary elections for the year 2026

Thirty-eight states have announced their primary election dates for the year 2026.

The 2026 election cycle is shaping up to be an interesting one, with various states confirming primary dates and ballot measures.

In March 2026, the Alabama congressional district elections will take place, marking the primary date for the state. Thirty-eight states, Guam, and the District of Columbia have already confirmed their dates for their 2026 statewide primaries, with the earliest being Illinois on Nov. 3, 2025, and the latest in Delaware on July 15, 2026.

California, meanwhile, has Proposition 50 on the ballot for 2026. This measure allows the state to use a new congressional map for 2026 through 2030, if another state adopts a new map first. The California Legislature voted to put this redistricting amendment to the Nov. 4 ballot for 2025.

The number of certified statewide ballot measures for 2026 is trending above the even-year average. Fifty-five measures have been certified for the 2026 ballot in 28 states, with eight of these being initiatives, and state legislatures putting the other 47 on the ballot.

Texas, for instance, approved a new congressional map on Aug. 22, 2025, and Gov. Greg Abbott signed the new map into law on Aug. 29, 2025.

Two measures in Michigan and Missouri are automatic ballot referrals for the 2026 election. An average of 53 initiatives and 108 referred measures were on the ballot during even-year elections between 2010 and 2024. Wisconsin has the earliest primary date for 2026, on Feb. 17.

Louisiana will hold the first round of its majority-vote system elections on Nov. 3 to close out the 2026 primaries. Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed HB17 into law in 2024, creating closed partisan primaries and primary runoffs for certain offices starting in 2026.

In the realm of education, Ballotpedia conducted a year-long Virtual School Board Listening Tour, interviewing 100 school board members from across the country. Conflict is a pervasive issue within school boards, often arising from everyday decisions. The ability of school boards to resolve conflicts varies widely, falling into three groups: Engaged Boards, Stuck Boards, and Detached and Passive Boards.

Notably, Alabama had the largest change between 2024 and 2026, moving its primary election from March 5 in 2024 to May 19 in 2026. In contrast, Alabama, Maryland, and Ohio have later primaries in 2026 compared to 2024. For instance, Alabama's primary election in 2024 was on March 5, but it has been moved to May 19 in 2026.

In 2024, Alabama, Arkansas, California, North Carolina, and Texas shared the earliest 2024 statewide primary date-March 5. However, Louisiana will hold the first round of its majority-vote system elections on Nov. 3 to close out the 2026 primaries, marking a shift from the earlier primary dates seen in 2024.

As the 2026 election cycle unfolds, candidates must meet various state-specific filing requirements and deadlines to run for office. It's an exciting time for those interested in politics and education, with much to look forward to in the coming months.