Why the 26 secretary of state races this November matter more than they did before Trump’s drive to assert federal authority over elections

In the 2026 midterm elections, 26 states will be holding races for secretary of state, a position that has gained heightened importance following the 2020 presidential election. Secretaries of state typically oversee election procedures and participate in certifying results. Historically, these officials have served as chief election authorities in most states, managing voter registration, providing guidance to local election officials, supervising election procedures, and participating in the certification of results.

In the 2022 midterms, several candidates who either rejected or sought to overturn the 2020 election outcome ran for secretary of state positions across the country. Of the 13 election-denying candidates who made it to the general election, only three were successful. Nonetheless, the battle over who controls American elections has persisted, with the focus shifting to the constitutionally recognized power granted to states, not the federal government, for election administration.

The United States stands out among democracies in its selection of chief election officials. While most democracies choose their election administrators through impartial processes, many American states utilize partisan methods, including partisan elections and political appointments, to select their secretaries of state. Despite their party affiliations, studies have shown that Democratic and Republican election officials generally administer elections impartially.

There are 26 secretary of state contests scheduled for November 2026. The United States' unique method of election administration, with partisan processes determining the selection of chief election officials, has led to disputes over the role of the federal government in election oversight. The Trump administration has attempted to expand the federal government's involvement in various aspects of election administration, such as requesting statewide voter registration lists and directing the Election Assistance Commission to require documentary proof of citizenship from individuals registering through federal voter registration forms.

However, these efforts have been met with legal challenges and court rulings that have limited the federal government's authority in these areas.