Posted February 2, 2022 | by KimS | in DemDaily, Democratic Party, Elections, Gubernatorial, House, Senate

DemDaily: The 2022 Primary Calendar

February 2, 2022

The 2022 elections are upon us, with primaries for United States House, US Senate and governor in all 50 states, two territories and the District of Columbia.

While a majority of states use the traditional single-party primary system, there are roughly a dozen that operate under their own unique primary or runoff systems or a hybrid version.

The first primary of the 2022 midterm elections kicks off March 1 in Texas, with the busiest primary months being May (12), June (19) and August (16).

The 2022 Primary Calendar

March 1: Texas Primary

April 5: Special Primary Election for California's 22nd Congressional Election

May 3: Indiana, Ohio Primaries

May 10: Nebraska, West Virginia Primaries

May 17: Idaho, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania Primaries

May 24: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia Primaries; Runoff: Texas

Runoffs are required in nine states between the top two finishers in a primary election where no candidate achieves a required threshold. In Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas a majority, or over 50%, is required to avoid a runoff. In North Carolina, candidates must win the primary by at least 30% of the vote to become the nominee, or the race goes to a second primary. In South Dakota, it is 35%, but that applies only to congressional and gubernatorial primaries.

Runoffs are required in nine states between the top two finishers in a primary election where no candidate achieves a required threshold. In Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Texas a majority, or over 50%, is required to avoid a runoff. In North Carolina, candidates must win the primary by at least 30% of the vote to become the nominee, or the race goes to a second primary. In South Dakota, it is 35%, but that applies only to congressional and gubernatorial primaries.

June 7: California, Iowa, Mississippi, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, South Dakota Primaries
Special General Election for California's 22nd Congressional Election

June 14: Maine, Nevada, North Dakota, South Carolina Primaries

June 21: DC, Virginia Primaries; Runoffs: Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia

June 28: Colorado, Illinois, Maryland, New York, Oklahoma, Utah Primaries; Runoffs: Mississippi, South Carolina

July 26: Runoff: North Carolina

August 2: Arizona, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Washington Primaries

August 4: Tennessee Primary

August 6: Virgin Islands Primary

Other systems: Louisiana has a hybrid system, where an all-party primary is held November 8. If one candidate does not win with a majority of the vote, then the top two candidates go to a runoff. In California and Washington, the top two winners of the all-party primary advance to the general election, and in Alaska the top four, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. Maine uses a ranked choice voting system.

Other systems: Louisiana has a hybrid system, where an all-party primary is held November 8. If one candidate does not win with a majority of the vote, then the top two candidates go to a runoff. In California and Washington, the top two winners of the all-party primary advance to the general election, and in Alaska the top four, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. Maine uses a ranked choice voting system.

August 9: Connecticut, Minnesota, Vermont, Wisconsin Primaries

August 13: Hawaii Primary

August 16: Alaska, Wyoming Primaries; Runoff: South Dakota