Elections & Campaigns

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NCSL tracks election and campaign issues in four major categories: campaign finance, election laws and procedures, election results and analysis, and initiative and referendum.  NCSL provides comprehensive 50-state research and analysis on a wide variety of topics related to these issues.  Our elections staff may be reached at 303-364-7700 or by e-mail. 

Campaign Finance Reform

Campaign Finance laws are intended to reduce the potential for corruption, or even the appearance of corruption, in campaigns for public office. NCSL has 50-state data on contribution limits, public financing programs and disclosure requirements. We also maintain a database of campaign finance legislation.

Election Laws and Procedures

Election laws and procedures have come under increased scrutiny since the drawn-out presidential election of 2000.  States are taking a closer look at voter registration, absentee and early voting, voter identification and other key election issues. NCSL conducts 50-state research on many election law and procedural issues, and maintains comprehensive databases of election legislation.

Election Results and Analysis

Election results and analysis are available through NCSL's StateVote project which provides comprehensive and in-depth data and analysis covering state elections. Each election year, NCSL is the primary source for news and information on state elections. Visit the StateVote 2012 site for a look at what is happening in the 2012 general election.  You will find archived data for legislative and ballot measure elections, including turnover and partisan control, as well.

Initiative, Referendum and Recall

24 states permit citizen initiatives, and all states permit citizens to vote on ballot measures in one form or another, through the mechanism of popular referenda and legislative referenda. The overall trend in recent years has been toward an increased number of initiatives and referenda to appear on ballots, all affecting state policies and budgets.  NCSL maintains data on the specifics of the process in all 24 states that permit citizen initiatives, a database of measures that have appeared on the ballot, and a database of I & R legislation.  A comprehensive overview of the recall process is also available.