Ballotpedia's 2014 state executive official election coverage plan
Welcome to Ballotpedia’s one-stop source for information about the 2014 state executive official elections. On this page, you will find comprehensive, unbiased coverage of candidates and elections, including links to every state’s general election page on Ballotpedia. 2014 is an exciting year for state executive officials.
the November 4, 2014 general election has already ended.
If you have any questions about state executive officials please contact Nicholas Katers.
Overview
Our coverage
We will be covering 225 state executive official elections in 43 states from the day the candidate filing period ends to the day the newly elected officials take office. That is more than double the number of positions that were elected in 2012, when 94 positions were elected.
Top office vs. down ballot
At Ballotpedia, we divide the state executives into top offices and down ballot seats, and we provide different types of coverage. Top offices include governors, lieutenant governors, attorneys general and secretaries of state. For those elections, we have separate pages that provide in-depth coverage of every stage of the election, from candidate profiles and primary results to polling, campaign finance reports and unique news articles.
The down ballot races also get individual coverage, but the pages are broken out by state instead of by office. For example, the 2014 Louisiana "down ballot" races for two public service commissioner seats were grouped together on one page. Each race has a section that provides background information, links to candidate profiles, results, campaign ads and much more.
Our candidate pages
There are two types of candidates: current officials who are running for office and new candidates who do not 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
- Campaign finance information
- Links to their campaign website, Facebook candidate pages and Twitter accounts (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 will verify signatures and issue an official list of candidates document. The timing of a document like this varies for each state. Some states will 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 will be adding links to these lists and adding names of candidates to election pages within two weeks of the list being released. Profiles will then be built of the 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 will work to build as many candidates as possible based on news reports and direct contact with candidates.
Primary elections
As each primary takes place, Ballotpedia staff will be indicating the winners and losers within 24 hours of the primary. Candidates who defeat an opponent in a primary will then have an election box added to the profile. Following the primary, the elections page will be updated to indicate which candidates will appear in the general election.
Debates
Ballotpedia staff are now incorporating debate coverage for the 2014 elections. Summaries of candidate debates and forums will appear on election overview pages for the office up for election as well as the candidate pages for those who participate in debates.
General election
On election night, Ballotpedia staff will be updating election pages with check marks to indicate the winner of each race.
Original analysis
Throughout the election season, Ballotpedia staff will be creating analysis pages regarding the state executive races. For example:
- Election reports in the two months prior to the November general election that highlight the more competitive races and project outcomes based on available information
- Racetracking of races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and secretary of state
- List of incumbent state executives who are running for a new office
- Feature articles from each state following the candidate filing deadline
2014 election pages
Alabama
- Governor
- Lt. Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries
- Public Service Commission (2 positions)
Alaska
Arizona
- Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Superintendent of Public Instruction
- Corporation Commission (2 positions)
- Mine Inspector
Arkansas
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Commissioner of State Lands
California
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Controller
- Superintendent
- Insurance Commissioner
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Superintendent
- Insurance Commissioner
- Agriculture Commissioner
- Labor Commissioner
- Public Services Commission
Hawaii
Idaho
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Controller
- Superintendent
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Agriculture Commissioner
Kansas
Louisiana
- Public Services Commission (2 seats)
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Missouri
Montana
- Public Services Commission (2 seats)
Nebraska
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Public Service Commissioner
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Mexico
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Commissioner of Public Lands
- Public Service Commissioner (3 seats)
- Education Commissioner (5 seats)
New York
North Dakota
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Agriculture Commissioner
- Tax Commissioner
- Public Service Commissioner
Ohio
Oklahoma
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Superintendent
- Insurance Commissioner
- Labor Commissioner
- Corporation Commissioner
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Controller
- Auditor
- Superintendent
- Agriculture Commissioner
- Adjutant General
South Dakota
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Secretary of State
- Attorney General
- Treasurer
- Auditor
- Commissioner of School and Public Lands
- Public Service Commissioner
Tennessee
Texas
- Governor
- Lieutenant Governor
- Attorney General
- Comptroller
- Land Commissioner
- Railroad Commission
- Agriculture Commissioner
Vermont
Wisconsin
Wyoming
2014 election dates
| 2014 State Executive Primary Information |
|---|
| State | Signature Filing Deadline | Primary Date | Notes/Costs for candidates | Days between Deadline and Primary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama |  2/7/2014
|
6/3/2014
|
116 | |
| Alaska | 6/2/2014
|
8/19/2014
|
The filing fee for governor and lieutenant governor is $100.[1] | 85 |
| Arizona | 5/28/2014
|
8/26/2014
|
Write-in candidates must file by 7/17/2014.[2] | 90 |
| Arkansas | 3/3/2014
|
5/20/2014
|
Independent candidates must also submit petitions with the Secretary of State Office. Those are due by 5/1/2014.[3][4] | 68 |
| California | 2/20/2014
|
6/3/2014
|
Candidates must submit a minimum of 3,000 registered voters' signatures to the counties in which the signers reside. Instead of filing petitions, candidates may instead pay a fee equal to one percent of the salary of the desired office to their home county elections office.[5][6] That fee is due by 3/7/2014. Write-in candidates must file by 5/20/2014.[7] | 113 |
| Colorado | 3/31/2014
|
6/24/2014
|
Candidates may also file by assembly nomination with a major party and by the write-in process. Major party candidates must file by 4/12/2014, and write-in candidates must file by 4/18/2014.[8][9][10] | 85 |
| Connecticut | 6/10/2014
|
8/12/2014
|
Candidates running by petition must collect registered voter signatures equal to one percent of the votes cast in the previous election for the same office or 7,500 signatures of registered voters, whichever is fewer.[11] | 63 |
| Delaware | 7/8/2014
|
9/9/2014
|
63 | |
| Florida | 5/19/2014
|
8/26/2014
|
The deadline for candidates paying a filing fee instead of submitting petitions is 6/20/2014.[12][13] | 99 |
| Georgia | 3/7/2014
|
5/20/2014
|
53 | |
| Hawaii | 6/3/2014
|
8/9/2014
|
67 | |
| Idaho | 3/14/2014
|
5/20/2014
|
67 | |
| Illinois | 12/2/2013
|
3/18/2014
|
106 | |
| Indiana | 2/7/2014
|
5/6/2014
|
88 | |
| Iowa | 3/14/2014
|
6/3/2014
|
81 | |
| Kansas | 6/2/2014
|
8/5/2014
|
64 | |
| Louisiana | 8/22/2014
|
11/4/2014 | 74 | |
| Maine | 3/17/2014
|
6/10/2014
|
The deadline for independent candidates is 6/2/2014.[14] | 85 |
| Maryland | 2/25/2014
|
6/24/2014
|
Filing fees depend upon the office sought. The fee must be paid either by check, money order or cash. It is permissible for a state candidate’s campaign finance entity to pay the fee.[15] | 129 |
| Massachusetts | 5/6/2014
|
9/9/2014
|
The 5/6/2014 deadline is for candidates to file nomination papers with the Registrar of Voters in order to be certified. Candidates must also file paperwork with the Secretary of the Commonwealth by 6/3/2014. The deadline for non-party candidates running for federal and statewide offices to file nomination papers with the Registrar of Voters for certification is 7/29/2014, and the deadline for these non-party candidates to file paperwork with the Secretary of the Commonwealth is 8/26/2014.[16] | 126 |
| Michigan | 4/22/2014
|
8/5/2014
|
Candidates for governor must file 15,000 valid signatures from at least half of the congressional districts in the state.[17] Candidates for the offices of Secretary of State and Attorney General do not participate in the primary election.[18] | 105 |
| Minnesota | 6/3/2014
|
8/12/2014
|
70 | |
| Missouri | 3/25/2014
|
8/5/2014
|
133 | |
| Montana | 3/10/2014
|
6/3/2014
|
85 | |
| Nebraska | 3/3/2014
|
5/13/2014
|
Incumbents running for re-election must file by 2/18/2014.[19] | 71 |
| Nevada | 3/14/2014
|
6/10/2014
|
88 | |
| New Hampshire | 6/13/2014
|
9/9/2014
|
88 | |
| New Mexico | 2/4/2014
|
6/3/2014
|
119 | |
| New York | - | 9/9/2014
|
||
| North Dakota | 4/7/2014
|
6/10/2014
|
64 | |
| Ohio | 2/5/2014
|
5/6/2014
|
90 | |
| Oklahoma | 4/11/2014
|
6/24/2014
|
74 | |
| Oregon | 3/11/2014
|
5/20/2014
|
70 | |
| Pennsylvania | 3/11/2014
|
5/20/2014
|
70 | |
| Rhode Island | 6/25/2014
|
9/9/2014
|
76 | |
| South Carolina | 3/30/2014
|
6/10/2014
|
72 | |
| South Dakota | 3/25/2014
|
6/3/2014
|
65 | |
| Tennessee | 4/3/2014
|
8/7/2014
|
116 | |
| Texas | 12/9/2013
|
3/4/2014
|
85 | |
| Vermont | 6/12/2014
|
8/26/2014
|
75 | |
| Wisconsin | 6/2/2014
|
8/12/2014
|
85 | |
| Wyoming | 5/30/2014
|
8/19/2014
|
74 |
Footnotes
- ↑ Alaska Statutes, "Section 15.25, Nomination of Candidates," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Secretary of State Website, "2014 Election Important Dates," accessed November 4, 2013
- ↑ Running for Public Office, "A 'Plain English' Handbook for Candidates," 2012 Edition (dead link)
- ↑ Arkansas Code of 1987, "Title 7, Elections," accessed October 30, 2013
- ↑ Summary of Qualifications and Requirements for the Office of State Senator, Member of the Assembly, "June 3, 2014, Primary Election," accessed October 21, 2013
- ↑ California Elections Code, "Section 8100-8107," accessed October 28, 2013
- ↑ California Secretary of State Website, "Key Dates and Deadlines," accessed October 21, 2013
- ↑ Colorado Secretary of State Website, "Major Political Parties FAQs," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Colorado Revised Statutes, "Title 1, Elections," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Ballotpedia phone call with Colorado Secretary of State Office, September 9, 2013
- ↑ Connecticut Secretary of State Website, "Frequently Asked Questions, Nominating Papers," accessed October 31, 2013
- ↑ Florida Department of State Division of Elections, "2013-2014 Dates to Remember," accessed November 6, 2013
- ↑ 2013 Florida Statutes, "Section 99.061," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Maine Secretary of State "State of Maine 2014 Candidate's Guide to Ballot Access," accessed February 11, 2014
- ↑ The State Board of Elections, "Candidacy," accessed November 5, 2013
- ↑ 2014 Massachusetts State Primary and State Election Schedule, accessed December 2, 2013
- ↑ State of Michigan Department of State, "Filing Requirements: Office of Governor 2014 Election Cycle," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ State of Michigan Department of State, "Filing Requirements: Office of Secretary of State, Attorney General 2014 Election Cycle," accessed November 19, 2013
- ↑ Official Election Calendar for the State of Nebraska, accessed November 18, 2014
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