Elections & Campaigns
Post-Election Analysis: Expected Red Wave Turns Blue
November 9, 2022 | Bill Kramer
Post-Election Results & Analysis
Of the 27 secretaries of state up for election this year, no secretary of state seat has flipped political control. Although the last remaining race in Wisconsin is still too close to call.
Pre-Election Preview
How Are Secretaries of State Selected?
Secretary of state is a statewide office in 47 states and, although duties vary by state, a primary responsibility includes managing and overseeing a state’s elections. Voters in 38 states elect the secretary of state, while the remaining 12 states appoint the secretary of state. Alaska, Hawaii, and Utah do not have a secretary of state position. And Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Virginia call the office the “secretary of the commonwealth.”
Current Partisan Breakdown of Secretaries of State
Currently, there are 27 Republican secretaries of state and 20 Democratic secretaries of state.
States with Secretary of State Elections in 2022
On November 8, 2022, secretary of state seats in 27 states are up for election. Of these seats up for election, 13 seats are currently held by Democrats and 14 seats are currently held by Republicans.
Primary Elections: Dates and Results
The chart below lays out the primary dates and the victors (once available) in major party primaries for the 27 secretary of state races. Asterisk (*) indicated incumbent.
Additional Resources and Analysis
Visit our 2022 State Elections Toolkit for additional information on all of the state executive and legislative seats up for election this year, handy downloadable resources, and analysis of the potential impact on the partisan makeup of state governments.