State Elections and Impact on Education

The 2022 election is coming up, with voting closing in on the population very quickly. Education is one of the main topics and concerns that people are looking at this year, with concerns of what can be taught in a classroom (i.e. CRT, gender and sexuality, what books can be read, etc…), meaning that each state's individual policies on education is something that is likely to sway plenty of voters.

For example, there are 36 states with the election for a new governor, while 8 states are guaranteed to see a new governor. Of these 8 states, Oregon and Pennsylvania and two states where the governor directly appoints the chief state officer. Of 6 of the other states, 4 of them are states where at least one person from the state board is appointed by the governor.

Of the 36 states, however, where there is a gubernatorial election, 26 of them have structures where at least one member of their state board are appointed by the governor. Seven of these states, Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, Oregon, and Pennsylvania, are guaranteed to see a new state board of education member.

Plenty of new ballot initiatives being introduced this election season as well. For example, in Arizona, non-citizens can receive in-state tuition to any school in Arizona, as long as they graduated from a school in Arizona. California is increasing funding for music and art education. Massachusetts is increasing taxes by 4% so that more funding and resources ca be allocated to schools.