Ballotpedia's 2013-2014 state legislative election coverage plan
Welcome to Ballotpedia’s one-stop source for information about the 2013 and 2014 state legislative elections. On this page you can find comprehensive, unbiased coverage of candidates and elections, including links to every state’s general election page on Ballotpedia and unique election reporting.
If you have any questions about state legislative elections please contact Tyler King.
Overview
Our coverage
In 2013, our coverage included elections in New Jersey and Virginia. A total of 220 seats were up for election in the three chambers with elections. Our 2014 coverage included elections in 87 state legislative chambers in 46 states. Additionally, Ballotpedia covered special elections in 2013 and 2014.
Our candidate pages
There are two types of candidates: current officials who are running for office and new candidates who do not currently hold an office we cover on Ballotpedia. For all candidates we strive to provide you, our reader, with the following information:
- Clear biographical information, including education
- Who the candidates is running against and when the elections will be held
- Photo of the candidate
- Campaign themes
- Links including their campaign website, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter campaign accounts, Project Vote Smart, Follow the Money and C-SPAN (where available)
- Election results
Signature filing deadlines
Each state sets the deadline for when candidates must declare for election. Once the filing deadline passes, the state verifies signatures and issues an official list of candidates document. The timing of a document like this varies for each state. Some states immediately release a document that is an unofficial list of candidates -- meaning it could contain some candidates who ultimately may either withdraw or be disqualified prior to the primary. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff adds links to these lists and adding names of candidates to election pages within 1-2 weeks of the list being released. Profiles are then be built for the final list of candidates.
However, in other situations, states do not release any compiled list of candidates until weeks or even months have elapsed past the deadline. In these situations, Ballotpedia staff works to build as many candidates profiles based on news reports and direct contact with candidates.
Primary elections
As each primary takes place, Ballotpedia staff indicates the winners and losers within 24-48 hours of the primary.
Following the primary, the elections page is updated to indicate which candidates will appear in the general election. The timing of the results varies by state.
General election
In the months leading up to a general election, Ballotpedia staff builds profiles of candidates, as well as identify certain “game-changers” or “races to watch.”
On election night, Ballotpedia staff will update election pages with check marks (
) to indicate the winner of the race. We will also indicate which party wins the majority in each of the 87 chambers, with a particular emphasis on the chambers that might have flipped partisan control.
Original analysis
Throughout this election season, Ballotpedia staff created analysis pages regarding the state legislative races. For example:
- List of candidates running. This page displays every single candidate who appears on a primary election ballot.
- List of state legislative incumbents retiring. This page displays all state legislative incumbents who did not seek re-election to the same chamber.
- Competitiveness analysis. For the fourth consecutive election, Ballotpedia staff conducted our competitiveness analysis. This studies analyzes the lists of candidates in state legislative races and provides a competitiveness rating based on three factors -- whether the incumbent ran for re-election; whether the incumbent, if running, faced a primary opponent; and finally, if there was a candidate from both major parties appearing on the general election ballot.
2013 Election pages
New Jersey
Elections were held in all 40 of New Jersey's senate districts on November 5, 2013.
Virginia
Virginia did not hold any state senate elections in 2013.
2013 election dates
| 2013 State Legislative Primary Information |
|---|
| State | Signature Filing Deadline | Primary Date | Notes/Costs for candidates | Days between Deadline and Primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 4/1/2013 | 6/04/2013 | Nomination petitions of candidates for Senate and General Assembly must contain the signatures of at least 100 voters in the legislative district. Candidates are required to disclose any criminal convictions.[1] | 64 |
| Virginia | 3/28/2013 | 6/11/2013 | Nomination petitions must contain the signatures of at least 125 qualified voters in the legislative district. Major party candidates are required to submit a primary filing fee equal to 2% of the annual salary for the office sought in effect in the year in which the candidate files. In 2013, the primary filing fee is $352.80.[2] | 74 |
2014 Election pages
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kansas will not hold any state senate elections in 2014.
Kentucky
Louisiana
Louisiana will not hold any state legislative elections in 2014.
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Minnesota will not hold any state senate elections in 2014.
Mississippi
Mississippi will not hold any state legislative elections in 2014.
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Jersey will not hold any state legislative elections in 2014.
New Mexico
New Mexico will not hold any state senate elections in 2014.
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Carolina will not hold any state senate elections in 2014.
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Virginia will not hold any state legislative elections in 2014.
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
2014 Election dates
Illinois and Texas opened the 2014 campaign season with filing deadlines in December 2013. The latest filing deadline in 2014 was in New York on July 10.
The 2014 state legislative primaries started in Texas on March 4 and ended on September 9 with a cluster of primaries in Delaware, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island.
The state legislative filing deadlines and primary dates listed by month were as follows:
Filing deadlines
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December January
February
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March
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April
May
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June
July |
Primaries
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March May
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June
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August |
September
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Length of primary campaigns
While each state holds a primary, the amount of time between signature filing deadlines can differ greatly. In 2014, candidates running for state legislative office in North Dakota had just 64 days between their filing deadline and primary. Meanwhile, candidates in Missouri had a massive 133 days, more than double that of North Dakota, to campaign for the primary election. On average, candidates were given about 84 days between the filing deadline and primary election to get their message to voters.
Footnotes
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