Elections

Learn more about how federal, state, and local elections affect schools
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs bills tightening gun restrictions in the Garden State, passed by lawmakers this year in the aftermath of deadly school shootings in Florida and Texas.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signs bills tightening gun restrictions in the Garden State, passed by lawmakers this year in the aftermath of deadly school shootings in Florida and Texas.
Edwin J. Torres/New Jersey Governor’s Office via AP
School Climate & Safety No Election-Year Lull for State Lawmakers on K-12 Issues
Driven by concerns about school safety and a wave of teacher activism over pay, state legislatures tackled contentious education topics in recent sessions, despite the campaign-year hazards.
Daarel Burnette II, June 19, 2018
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5 min read
Education Primary Victors Advance in California Contests for Schools Chief, Governor
The state's role in education, the expansion of charter schools, and school funding were factors as voters advanced the top two vote-getters for state schools chief and governor to this fall's general election.
Daarel Burnette II, June 6, 2018
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2 min read
From left, Lynette Guck, Allegra Fullerton, and Jeanne Lunn review petitions for a campaign funding disclosure amendment in Scottsdale, Ariz. Many education advocates are supporting that cause, along with efforts to raise taxes for more school funding and to roll back the state’s expanded voucher law.
From left, Lynette Guck, Allegra Fullerton, and Jeanne Lunn review petitions for a campaign funding disclosure amendment in Scottsdale, Ariz. Many education advocates are supporting that cause, along with efforts to raise taxes for more school funding and to roll back the state’s expanded voucher law.
Laura Segall for Education Week
Federal Teacher Activists Take Fight to the Polls
Fresh off a wave of strikes and protests in several states, education activists aim to turn that momentum into electoral victories in this fall's midterm elections.
Daarel Burnette II, May 11, 2018
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6 min read
Federal Did #RedForEd Just Capture Its First Midterm Victory?
In Tuesday night's Republican primary in West Virginia, Robert Karnes, a West Virginia Republican state senator who lashed out at teachers during their nine-day strike, lost to pro-labor candidate Bill Hamilton.
Daarel Burnette II, May 9, 2018
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1 min read
Arizona teachers and education advocates march at the Arizona Capitol during a protest against low teacher pay and school funding last week in Phoenix.
Arizona teachers and education advocates march at the Arizona Capitol during a protest against low teacher pay and school funding last week in Phoenix.
Ross D. Franklin/AP
States In Teacher Unrest, Democrats See Election Edge
Activists hope to ride momentum from labor activism in states like Arizona and Oklahoma to legislative and even gubernatorial victories that will help break GOP dominance in statehouses.
Daarel Burnette II, April 5, 2018
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6 min read
Jennyerin Steele Staats, a special education teacher from Jackson County, W. Va., holds her sign aloft during a rally by striking teachers in late February outside the state capitol in Charleston, W. Va.
Jennyerin Steele Staats, a special education teacher from Jackson County, W. Va., holds her sign aloft during a rally by striking teachers in late February outside the state capitol in Charleston, W. Va.
Craig Hudson/Charleston Gazette-Mail via AP
Teaching Profession Surprise W.Va. Teachers Strike Emboldens Labor Activists Elsewhere
In states including Arizona, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, teachers turn up the heat in their quest for pay raises, even threatening electoral consequences if lawmakers fail to come through.
Daarel Burnette II, March 19, 2018
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5 min read
Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican, kicks off the 2018 state legislative session, which once again will wrangle over school financing.
Kansas Senate President Susan Wagle, a Republican, kicks off the 2018 state legislative session, which once again will wrangle over school financing.
Thad Allton/The Topeka Capital-Journal via AP
Every Student Succeeds Act K-12 a Key Topic for State Legislators as Sessions Gavel to a Start
School finance and policy changes driven by the Every Student Succeeds Act are on the horizon as all but three state legislatures go into full swing this month.
Daarel Burnette II, January 12, 2018
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4 min read
Education Utah Ruling Highlights Sticky Issue of Partisan School Board Elections
In Florida, Indiana, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee and Utah, Republicans are arguing that candidates for local and state school boards should run on party tickets.
Daarel Burnette II, December 21, 2017
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1 min read
Federal Roy Moore on Fair School Funding, Doug Jones on DeVos in the Ala. Senate Race
Republican Roy Moore has previously weighed in on a controversy involving segregationist language in the Alabama Constitution, while his Democratic opponent Doug Jones says education is the key for 21st century success.
Andrew Ujifusa, November 13, 2017
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3 min read
Democrat Phil Murphy, who takes the governorship in New Jersey, has said he would seek to keep intact the state’s school funding formula and give back control to several of the state’s urban districts.
Democrat Phil Murphy, who takes the governorship in New Jersey, has said he would seek to keep intact the state’s school funding formula and give back control to several of the state’s urban districts.
Julio Cortez/AP
Federal Democrats' Recent Election Gains: The K-12 Repercussions
The political maneuvers used by education policy advocates to animate moderate voters over those issues in New Jersey, Virginia, and Washington could provide a script next year when 38 governors and most state legislators are up for election.
Daarel Burnette II, November 10, 2017
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4 min read
Education Can Teachers Shake Up State Elections?
A Kansas teacher-turned-politician says Democratic teachers are ready-made to gather moderate Republican votes and advocate for their positions in statehouses.
Daarel Burnette II, October 24, 2017
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3 min read
Ed Gillepsie The Republican candidate for governor of Virginia backs more school choice, greater autonomy for teachers, and cracking down on under-performing schools.
<b>Ed Gillepsie</b><br> The Republican candidate for governor of Virginia backs more school choice, greater autonomy for teachers, and cracking down on under-performing schools.
Federal K-12 Policy at Play as Two States Pick Governors This Year
The New Jersey and Virginia contests may offer some clues to how education issues may factor into 2018's busy election year, when 36 governors' seats are up for grabs.
Daarel Burnette II, September 12, 2017
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5 min read
Early Childhood Early-Childhood Education Fan Rep. John Delaney Running for President
Rep. John Delaney is the author of the "Early Learning Act" that is designed to help states move towards universal pre-kindergarten.
Alyson Klein, July 28, 2017
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1 min read
Education Wisconsin Education Chief Tony Evers Files to Run for Governor
Tony Evers, Wisconsin's outspoken and longstanding education chief, filed paperwork last week to run for governor, a sign that education policy could play a key role in the 2018 gubernatorial race.
Daarel Burnette II, July 24, 2017
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1 min read
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