States United Democracy Center (research); NPR reporting; Votebeat
23 states, including 5 presidential swing states, have election-denying candidates running for offices with direct roles in certifying elections. In Georgia's Secretary of State race: candidates include Gabe Sterling (defended 2020 results), Vernon Jones (claimed 2020 was stolen), and Tim Fleming (former deputy SOS). 37 election experts surveyed by Votebeat unanimously agreed voter fraud would not affect 2026 outcomes, but nearly three-quarters said losing candidates were likely to claim fraud post-election regardless.
Broad and largely bipartisan sourcing, though primary framing is from outlets tracking democratic norms. Right-leaning outlets may frame these candidates as election-integrity advocates rather than deniers — not surfaced directly in this search.