4 local elections to watch in our criminal justice system
Introduction
According to our research, there are over 5,000 open seats across positions in our criminal justice system (excluding elected judges) up for election over the next two cycles.
These include over 1,200 district attorneys, more than 1,400 county sheriffs, and a variety of other critical positions such as city constable, police chief, police commissioners, and court marshals across the country.
At BallotReady, our research team is tracking each of these open seats —and providing in-depth information on certified candidates running for them. We use this research to partner with hundreds of organizations working to recruit candidates, mobilize voters, and strategize ahead of these down-ballot races.
See a preview of our data collection on these offices below, and contact us to learn more about becoming a data partner.
1. Download a list of open seats this November for Police Commission across the country, responsible for citizen oversight of local police departments:
2. Nearly half of the nation’s local prosecutors are on the ballot in 2025 & 2026.
Election to watch: After electing an ideological Republican as City Attorney to push tough on crime policies in 2021, the contested Seattle City Attorney race this year offers a compelling referendum on big city approaches to crime and public safety.
3. There are over 1,400 county sheriff elections over the next two years including 114 this November.
Election to watch: Incumbent New Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson, who herself unseated a 17-year incumbent in 2021, is facing multiple challengers in light of a high-profile prison break this past May.
4. Thirty states are picking attorneys general in 2026, only Virginia in 2025.
Election to watch: A contested and increasingly heated showdown for Attorney General in Virginia—the only such race in this cycle.
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Request a quick demo with our team to explore how BallotReady tracks every key race, candidate and elected official in the criminal justice system—and how this data can support your mission in 2025 and 2026.
