Miles Parks

A few years ago, most people didn't know and frankly, probably didn't care who their state secretary of state was.

But 2020 changed that.

Republican Brad Raffensperger in Georgia declined President Trump's request to find votes.

In Michigan, Democrat Jocelyn Benson had armed protesters visit her home.

Those two states are now among the dozens this year that are electing new secretaries of state and governors.

And a new analysis from the nonprofit States United Action

finds that many of those races will feature candidates who have denied election results in the past.

In 23 states, including five presidential swing states, candidates who have denied election results are running for offices that will have a direct role in certifying future elections.

Miles Parks, NPR News, Washington.

A few years ago, most people didn't know and, frankly, probably didn't care who their state secretary of state was.

But 2020 changed that.

Republican Brad Raffensperger in Georgia declined President Trump's request to find votes.

In Michigan, Democrat Jocelyn Benson had armed protesters visit her home.

Those two states are now among the dozens this year that are electing new secretaries of state and governors.

In a new analysis from the nonprofit States United Action,

finds that many of those races will feature candidates who have denied election results in the past.

In 23 states, including five presidential swing states, candidates who have denied election results are running for offices that will have a direct role in certifying future elections.

Miles Parks, NPR News, Washington.

As part of the Justice Department's efforts to search for voter fraud under President Trump, the agency has sought to acquire the voter registration lists of every state, despite the fact that those states have constitutional authority to run their own elections.

A few Republican-controlled states have turned over their data, but most haven't.