
In the 2022 cycle, 28 states held elections to select their chief election official (usually the secretary of state). At least 33 candidates for these statewide offices ran while questioning or denying the results of the 2020 presidential election — raising questions about whether they would conduct their work impartially if elected.
Many of these candidates were defeated or withdrew in the primaries, but 13 advanced to the general election.
Ultimately, most of these candidates were rejected by voters as well, notably in key swing states like Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona. But in five states, election-denying candidates emerged victorious as their state’s chief election official.