
The Council of State Governments’ Elections Center offers our members and other interested parties data and analysis regarding the 2012 elections. Looking at elections in all three branches of state government from across the nation, the Elections Center is a resource for both pre- and post-election party control data and how the outcomes might affect various policy areas heading into 2013.
Post-Election Gubernatorial Party Control

Pre-Election Gubernatorial Party Control
Post-Election Legislative Party Control

Post-Election Legislative Party Control
Pre-Election Legislative Party Control
2012 Lieutenant Governor Winners
2012 Secretary of State Winners
State Leaders and the New Congress
2012 State Supreme Court Winners
2012: Current State Officials Seeking Congressional Seats
Election-day registration considered in Illinois, its end mulled in WisconsinBy Kathryn Tormey | Monday, April 1, 2013 at 9:40 amStateline Midwest ~ March 2013 While at least one Midwestern state may adopt same-day voter registration this year, officials in another have said they want to repeal it. |
10 Questions with Mike Allen: More Ways to Get Your Message OutBy Mary Branham | Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at 9:11 am |
Michigan recall law for state legislators gets revampedBy Tim Anderson | Friday, January 25, 2013 at 5:03 pmStateline Midwest ~ January 2013 One of the five states in the Midwest that allows for voter recall of state legislators has made significant changes to the process. |
New year, new faces: Legislative turnover high in many Midwestern states entering 2013 sessionsBy Tim Anderson | Friday, December 14, 2012 at 10:48 amStateline Midwest ~ December 2012 The 2013 legislative sessions in the Midwest will begin soon with hundreds of new lawmakers taking office, but with a balance of power between the two major political parties that remains largely unchanged. |
The 2008 Campaign Forever Changed How People Will Run for OfficeBy Mary Branham | Sunday, December 2, 2012 at 12:54 pmMike Allen thinks the 2012 election is more historic than the 2008 election when Barack Obama became the first African-American elected president. “I believe it changed forever how people will run for office, nationally, statewide and in legislative districts,” Allen, Politico’s chief political correspondent, said during Saturday’s keynote luncheon address. |
Taxes on the Ballot 2012By Jennifer Burnett | Tuesday, November 13, 2012 at 4:15 pmVoters across the country made ballot decisions in the November elections that will have fiscal implications for years to come in many states. Ballot measures proposed a number of tax-related changes, including sales and income tax increases, caps on certain taxes—particularly property taxes—an increased ability for legislatures to provide tax breaks to individuals and businesses, and a requirement that new state taxes be passed by a supermajority of the legislature or go to the voters. |
Prop 32, Efforts to Limit Union Political Funding in California DefeatedBy Brydon Ross | Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 2:03 pmAn effort to limit the ability of unions to automatically deduct political contributions from their member's paychecks failed on election day in California. The California secretary of state's website shows that Proposition 32 failed by a significant margin with roughly 56 percent in opposition. Labor groups funneled over $75 million to defeat the measure backed by business groups that also gave roughly $60 million to support the referendum which would have prevented unions from giving money to candidates or political causes unless the contributions are voluntarily made. |
Update on Michigan Referendums on Renewable Energy and Collective BargainingBy Brydon Ross | Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 12:59 pmMichigan voters rejected two ballot initiatives that would have amended the state constitution to require utilities to generate 25 percent of their electricity by 2025 and another that would grant a all workers in the state constitutionally protected collective bargaining rights and prevent the state from passing "right to work" laws. According to results from the Michigan secretary of state's website, the renewable energy referendum was opposed by nearly 63 percent of voters and the collective bargaining amendment fell by a margin of approximately 58 percent to 42 percent. |
State Leaders and the New CongressBy Chris Whatley | Thursday, November 8, 2012 at 10:47 amWhile a few U.S. House races remain too close to call, at least 12 new senators and 66 House members will pack their bags and head to Washington to join the 113th Congress. More than half of these new freshmen will arrive on Capitol Hill with substantial state experience as governors, legislators, constitutional officers or senior appointed officials. |
Historic Election for Marriage EqualityBy Jennifer Horne | Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at 3:20 pmYesterday, the issue of same-sex marriage was on the ballot in four states, and in all four, voters chose in favor of marriage equality. |









