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Podcast: On the Ballot
Episode: How ’26 Secretary of State Elections Could Change Election Oversight and Administration
Description: On this episode: Louis Jacobson, senior columnist for Sabato’s Crystal Ball, explains why the 2026 secretary of state elections could be among the most important contests of the cycle. In most states, secretaries of state oversee elections, giving them direct influence over how voting is administered and results are certified. With 26 seats on the ballot—including key battlegrounds such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Georgia—these races could shape the rules and practices of future elections. Jacobson outlines how responsibilities differ from state to state, why the offices have drawn more national attention in recent years, and previews the fo...