State Attorneys General Matter. Cast Your Vote This Election.

With voting already underway in several states, voters across the country are taking the last few weeks before Election Day to study the candidates, their proposed policies and positions, and make sure they cast educated votes. However, many voters-even those in the progressive legal community-cast their ballots without voting in down-ballot races like state attorney general simply because they do not know what the positions are, let alone who would be the best person to fill them.

A key component of ACS's Run.Vote.Work. initiative is bringing much needed attention to down-ballot races. This is the third spotlight of important down-ballot races for public offices that make a difference in people's everyday lives.

State attorneys general are on the ballot in ten states this year: Indiana, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia. In most of these states, there is no incumbent running for reelection. In every one of these states there is the opportunity to choose the candidate that will use the state's resources to build public trust, protect individual rights, and advance policies that align with your values.

The heart of a state attorney general's mission is to serve the public interest, but the specific responsibilities of state attorneys general can vary state to state. For instance, their authority to prosecute crimes vary widely and are often limited. But, in many states, they are and can be leaders on state criminal legal policy.

In every state, the attorney general is the state's chief legal officer who defends and initiates lawsuits involving the state, its officers and agencies, and the constitutionality of its laws. State attorneys general play a crucial role in upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights, health, and safety of their states' residents. In addition to initiating and defending lawsuits, state attorneys general can advocate for laws, regulations, and policies at the federal and state levels, and can interpret state laws and regulations in Attorney General Opinions. And as a statewide executive officer, the state attorney general has a bully pulpit that can be used to either promote positive change or support unjust, regressive policies and laws.

The work of state attorneys general has always been important, but in recent years those elected to this role have acted beyond their states' borders and have been at the forefront of important issues of national concern, including voting rights, access to health care, reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, civil rights, workers' rights, and environmental and consumer protections.

Most issues that voters care about are implicated in the race for state attorney general. A state attorney general candidate's positions on state and national issues can help inform voters how they would use the resources of the office to engage in affirmative litigation and policymaking, and which state laws, officials, and agencies the candidate would focus on defending and how. It is essential that voters learn more about the candidates before casting their ballots because state attorneys general have tremendous impact on their states, our civil rights, and our lives.

This year, voters in ten states have a say in who fills this important role, and they must seize the opportunity. Even if you do not live in one of the ten states where this office is on the ballot, you can help educate your friends and family members in these states about the importance of the race for state attorney general. And voters in every state and jurisdiction in the United States have the opportunity to get involved in the important work that state attorneys general do by working in attorney general offices or running for the office. As we've said before, there are no off years in protecting our democracy, and there are no elected positions that you should ignore. Whether your state's attorney general is on this year's ballot or not, it is important to pay attention to this elected statewide office.

Democracy and Voting, State Attorneys General