The Green Papers
The Green Papers
Statutory Election Information
of the Several states

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General Election only
Presidential Primary only
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Polling times only

State Statutory Election Information
General Election
Alabama
  • (2006--) The Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Auditor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries, senators and representatives ... shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2006, and every fourth year thereafter. A president of the Public Service Commission shall be elected on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November 2008, and every fourth year thereafter. [§17-14-3]
Alaska
  • Tuesday after 1st Monday in November of every even-numbered year [AK Statutes 15.15.020]
    (NOTE: Article V, Section 5 of the AK Constitution sets the 2nd Tuesday in October of every even-numbered year as the General Election date but also allows that "the month and day may be changed by law" [and so it has been!])
American Samoa
  • Elections shall be held biennially in each even numbered year beginning on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November ... [REVISED CONSTITUTION OF AMERICAN SAMOA, Article II, Section 5]
Arizona
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [AZ Revised Statutes 16-211 (in conformity with AZ Constitution: Article 7, Section 11)]
Arkansas
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [AR Code 7-5-102]...
    (NOTE: AR Constitution- Article 3, Section 8- sets the General Election date as the 1st Monday of September "but the General Assembly may by law fix a different time"-- and, quite obviously, it has done so)
California
  • (1851-1861) biennially, on Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of odd-numbered years
    [per CA Constitution [1849]]

    NOTE: The very first State election in CALIFORNIA was held on Tuesday 13 November 1849 and was also used as the ratification referendum re: the State's 1st Constitution.
  • (1863-1877) biennially, on 1st Wednesday in September of odd-numbered years
    [per Amendment to CA Constitution [1849], adopted 1862]
    NOTE:The election of 1879 was an annual election held on this date solely to bring the schedule of State elections into conformity with the even-numbered biennial elections required under the Constitution of 1879.
  • (1880--) biennially, on Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [CA Elections Code 1000e, 1200 (in conformity with CA Constitution [1879]: Article 4, Section 2(b))]
Colorado
  • (1876-1878) the dates of the first two elections were set by the CO Constitution as the 1st Tuesday of October; beginning in 1880, the date of General Elections in COLORADO could be set by statute.
  • (1880--) biennial: Tuesday next after 1st Monday of November of even-numbered years.
    [CO Revised Statutes 1-4-201 (as authorized by the revised Article VII, Section 7 of the CO Constitution which states that the date of the General Election "shall be held on such day as prescribed by law")]
Connecticut
  • (1818-1875) annual: 1st Monday of April
    [CT Constitution of 1818]
  • (1876-1885) annual: Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November
    [per Amendment to CT Constitution]
  • (1886--) biennial: Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    (CT Constitution Article 3, Section 8: incorporating Amendment to earlier CT Constitution)
Delaware
  • (1792-1831) annual: 1st Tuesday of October
    [per DE Constitution of 1792]
  • (1832-1854) biennial: 2d Tuesday of November
    [per DE Constitution of 1831]
  • (1856--) biennial: Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November [DELAWARE Constitution, Article V. Elections, §1: incorporating an Amendment to an earlier DE Constitution]
District of Columbia
  • 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November of each even-numbered year [D.C. Official Code D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.10(a)(3)(A); 1-1001.10(a)(3)(B); and 1-1001.10(a)(3)(C)].
Florida
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years.
    (FL Statutes 100.031... in conformity with FL Constitution Article VI, Section 5)
Georgia
  • Tuesday after 1st Monday in November, bienially.
    [GA Constitution, Art. III, Section II, paragraph V(c)].
    A run-off election shall be a continuation of the general election ... only those votes cast for the persons designated for the runoff shall be counted .... [GA Constitution, Art. II, Section I. Paragraph II.]
Guam
  • Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years. [Guam Code Annotated. Title 3: Elections Chapter 5: §5101]
    ...The Governor of Guam, together with the Lieutenant Governor, shall be elected by a majority of the votes cast by the people who are qualified to vote for the members of the Legislature of Guam. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be chosen jointly, by the casting by each voter of a single vote applicable to both offices. If no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast in any election [a reference to the General Election not the Primary -Ed], on the fourteenth day thereafter a runoff election shall be held between the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor receiving the highest and second highest number of votes cast. The first election for Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be held on November 3, 1970. Thereafter, beginning with the year 1974, the Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall be elected every four years at the general election. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor shall hold office for a term of four years and until their successors are elected and qualified. No person who has been elected Governor for two full successive terms shall again be eligible to hold that office until one full term has intervened. [U.S. Code Title 48, Chapter 8a , Subchapter II, §1422]
    (a) ... The Delegate from Guam shall be elected at large and by a majority of the votes cast for the office of Delegate. If no candidate receives such majority, on the fourteenth day following such election a runoff election shall be held between the candidates receiving the highest and the second highest number of votes cast for the office of Delegate. In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate, by reason of death, resignation, or permanent disability, the office of Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor shall have been elected and qualified. [U.S. Code Title 48, Chapter 16, Subchapter I, §1712]
Hawaii
  • 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    (HI Constitution Article II, Section 8)
Idaho
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    (ID Code 34-601(2) )
Illinois
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    (IL Compiled Statutes 10-5/2A-1.1(a)... in conformity with IL Constitution Article III, Section 6)
Indiana
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday of November in even-numbered years.
    (IN Code 3-5-1-2(1) & 3-10-2-1... in conformity with IN Constitution Article 2, Section 14 (a) )
Iowa
  • 39.1 General election. The general election shall be held throughout the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. [Merged Iowa Code & Supplement]
Kansas
  • Tuesday succeeding 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [KS Constitution: Art.4, sec.2;
    KS Statutes 25-101]
Kentucky
  • Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years. [Ky. Const. § 148]
Louisiana
  • Federal: Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years [La. Revised Statutes 18:402B(2)] (NOTE: Because of the ruling of the Federal courts that the statutory date for the Federal Primary in Louisiana is violative of Federal statute 2 USC 7 (which the courts held requires that no one can be formally elected to Congress until the date set for the General Election, this date is used as the date of the so-called "Open Primary" for U.S. Senators and Representatives in Congress.)
    State: 4th Saturday after the 2d to last Saturday in October in odd-numbered years [La. Revised Statutes 18:402A(2)] (held, between the top two vote-getters, for any office re: which no candidate received at least a majority of the vote in the Primary; thus, the General Election in Louisiana is really a Runoff)
Maine
Maryland
  • [Election Law ยง 8-301] (a) (1) There shall be a statewide general election in each even-numbered year. (2) A statewide general election shall be held on the Tuesday following the first Monday in November.
Massachusetts
  • Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in every even-numbered year. [The General Laws of Massachusetts Chapter 54: Section 62]
Michigan
  • 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [MI Constitution Art.II, sec. 5]
Minnesota
  • The state general election shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year. [204D.03 Subdivision 2]
Mississippi
  • (--2020) Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years. (Mississippi Constitution 1890)
  • (2020--) Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: §140. The Governor ... and all statewide elected officials shall be chosen on the 1st Tuesday after the 1st Monday of November 2023 and ... every 4th year thereafter ... If no person received a majority of the votes, then a runoff election shall be held under procedures prescribed by the Legislature in general law. (Mississippi Constitution 1890, Amended 2020: Ballot Measure 2, House Concurrent Resolution No. 47). "... where no candidate receives a majority of votes case in a special election, then a runoff election shall be held 3 weeks after the election." [§ 23-15-833]
Missouri
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [MO Revised Statutes 115.121.1]
Montana
  • 13-1-104. Times for holding general elections. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), a general election must be held throughout the state in every even-numbered year on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November .... [Montana Code Annotated]
Nebraska
  • The statewide general election shall be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year. [State of Nebraska Statutes Section 32-403]
Nevada
  • A general election must be held throughout the State on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November in each even-numbered year. [NRS 293.12755]
New Hampshire
  • The state general election shall be held on the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November of every even-numbered year. [RSA 653:7]
New Jersey
  • Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years. [N.J.S.A. 19:2-3] ... the Secretary of State may change the date ... if the date coincides with a period of religious observance ... the secretary shall inform the ... boards of election of the adjustment no later than the first working day in January of the year in which the adjustments are to occur. (A3186, 25 September 2008) [19:2-1]
New Mexico
  • NM Const. Art. XX, Sec. 6. General elections shall be held in the state on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in each even-numbered year.
New York
  • The general election shall be held annually on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in November. [CHAPTER SEVENTEEN OF THE CONSOLIDATED LAWS, ELECTION LAW, Article 8, Title 1, Section 8-100. 1. (c)]
North Carolina
  • On Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in the year 1968, and every four years thereafter, or on such days as the Congress of the United States shall direct.... [NCGA General Statutes - Chapter 163 § 163-1. c.]
North Dakota
  • The general election must be held in all the election districts of this state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. [NDCC § 16.1-13-01]
Northern Marianas
  • (--2009) First Saturday in November in odd-numbered years.
  • (2009--) ... general elections shall be held on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November in even numbered years ... [CNMI Election Law CHAPTER 5. Article 1. 6501.]
    If-in an election for the offices of governor and lieutenant governor-no candidate receives more than one-half (1/2) of the total votes cast and counted, there shall be a runoff election fourteen (14) days after the Commonwealth Election Commission has certified the results of the general election ... The candidates who received the highest and second highest number of votes cast and counted in the general election shall compete in the runoff election. The candidates who receive more than half of the votes cast and counted in the runoff shall be declared the winner. [CNMI Election Law CHAPTER 5. Article 1. 6509.(a) and (b)]. Note: There is no runoff in 2018 but we have not found the appropriate statute.
Ohio
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November
    (State and County elective officals chosen in even-numbered years;
    local elective officials chosen in odd-numbered years)
    [OH Constitution: Article XVII, Section 1]
Oklahoma
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [OK Statutes 26-1-101]
Oregon
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [OR Revised Statutes 254.056(1)]
Pennsylvania
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [Unconsolidated PA Statutes 25-2751]
Puerto Rico
  • (1980--) Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years. (The Constitution of Puerto Rico states that the General Election is to be held in November every 4 years, leaving the specific date to be set by law.)
Rhode Island
  • A meeting of the electors ... shall be held biennially in the even years on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November ... [General Laws of RI 17-18-5]
South Carolina
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [Code of Laws of SC 7-13-10]
South Dakota
  • Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [SD Codified Laws 12-2-2]
Tennessee
  • 1st Tuesday after 1st Monday in November in even-numbered years
    [TN Constitution Art.II, sec.7 re: members of both houses of the General Assembly; TN Constitution Art. III, sec. 2 specifically mandates that the Governor be chosen at the same time as members of the General Assembly in the General Election immediately preceding the end of the incumbent Governor's term of office]
Texas
Utah
  • A regular general election shall be held throughout the state on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November of each even-numbered year. [UT Code 20A-1-201(1)]
Vermont
  • ... on the first Tuesday next after the first Monday of November ...
    [Constitution of the State of Vermont. Chapter II. § 43. and § 44.]
Virgin Islands
  • (--2013) The next general election in the Virgin Islands shall be held on November 2, 1954 ... Thereafter the general elections shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, beginning with the year 1956, and every two years thereafter. [U.S. Code Title 48,Chapter 12, Subchapter III, §1576][18 VIC 231]
    (a) The Delegate from the Virgin Islands shall be elected at large, by separate ballot and by a majority of the votes cast for the office of Delegate. ... If no candidate receives such majority, on the fourteenth day following such election a runoff election shall be held between the candidates receiving the highest and the second highest number of votes cast for the office of Delegate. In case of a permanent vacancy in the office of Delegate, by reason of death, resignation, or permanent disability, the office of Delegate shall remain vacant until a successor shall have been elected and qualified. [U.S. Code Title 48, Chapter 16, Subchapter I, §1712] [Revised Organic Act of 1954, Sec., 11 re: Gov.-Lt Gov.; PL 92-271]
  • (2013--) "General elections shall be held in the Virgin Islands on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November, beginning with the year 1964, and every two years thereafter ..." [18 V.I.C. §231]
    "If no candidates receive a majority of the votes cast in any election, on the fourteenth day thereafter a runoff election shall be held between the candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor receiving the highest and second highest numbers of votes cast." [V.I.C. Rev. Org. Act of 1954 § 11 (2013)]
Virginia
  • Federal: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in even-numbered years.
    State: Tuesday next after first Monday in November in odd-numbered years.
Washington
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November
    [Revised Code of [before 2007: WA 29.13.010; beginning in 2007: RCW 29A.04.321, in accordance with WA Constitution: Article II, Section 5]
West Virginia
  • Tuesday next after the 1st Monday in November
    [WV Constitution: Article IV, Section 7]
Wisconsin
  • "General election" means the election held in even−numbered years on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November to elect United States senators, representatives in congress, presidential electors, state senators, representatives to the assembly, district attorneys, state officers other than the state superintendent and judicial officers, and county officers other than supervisors and county executives. [WI Statutes 5.02(5)]
Wyoming
  • Tuesday next after 1st Monday in November of even-numbered years
    [WY Statutes 22-2-104(a)]
State Statutory Election Information
General Election
 

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