On the Ballot: Recent Episodes
Ballotpedia
On the Ballot with Ballotpedia connects people to politics by providing neutral, nonpartisan, and reliable information on our government, how it works, and where it’s headed. Each week, Ballotpedia's election experts will unpack the weeks' top political stories with our host, Ballotpedia's own Victoria Rose. We're here to give you the facts, so you can form your own opinion. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream On the Ballot wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have any questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to send it to us at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter.
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s communications team takes over On the Ballot to kick off National Voter Education Week with guest Zoë Williamson-Crettini from the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition. Zoë joins Abby Campbell and Carley Allensworth to discuss how this national, nonpartisan initiative helps bridge the gap between being registered to vote and actually casting a ballot. They explore how SLSV equips voters with trusted, easy-to-use information, tackles misinformation and low awareness in local elections, and builds lifelong voting confidence. With nearly 600 partner organizations participating across 46 states, this year’s celebration shows that every week — and every election — is an opportunity to strengthen democracy.
Learn more about National Voter Education Week: https://slsvcoalition.org/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Several states are moving to redraw their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, reviving a practice that has happened before but rarely on this scale. Texas has already acted, with Republicans pushing through a new map that could net them multiple House seats. In response, Democrats in California are advancing a ballot measure that would suspend the state’s independent commission and open the door to a more favorable map of their own. As a result, nearly a dozen states are engaged in redistricting efforts of their own, with huge implications not just for the balance of power in the House — but the Americans who live in the districts in question.
To break down what’s happening and why it matters, Erin Covey — Editor of U.S. House coverage at the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter — explains the political strategies at play and the legal uncertainties that surround them. She walks through the domino effect of Texas’s decision, how California, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah fit into the bigger picture, and why deadlines in other states are quickly closing in.
At the same time, a looming Supreme Court case from Louisiana could reshape the legal boundaries for redistricting nationwide.The case revisits Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and carries major implications for how states consider race when drawing districts — with potential ripple effects across the South and beyond.
- Read Erin Covey’s analysis for The Cook Political Report: https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/redistricting/2025-2026-redistricting-tracker-how-many-seats-could-flip-0
- Learn more about the latest redistricting efforts on our site: https://ballotpedia.org/Redistricting_ahead_of_the_2026_elections
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s work often highlights high-profile elections, but behind the scenes, our staff and volunteers are tackling an even bigger challenge: Gathering reliable information on the country’s half a million local elected officials. CEO and founder Leslie Graves joins On the Ballot for her monthly ‘Office Hours’ series to explain what “robust information” means in this context and why building it is such a complex and important task.
- Read Leslie’s Column: https://ballotpedia.org/From_the_desk_of_Leslie_Graves
- Check out our complete office hours series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMO2t_0SXnYhwMv6HHgIoL75
- Are you running for office, or struggling to find information for a candidate? Send them our Candidate Connection Survey or take it yourself: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection
- Looking to get involved? Learn more about volunteer opportunities with Ballotpedia here: https://ballotpedia.org/Support:Volunteer
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Supreme Court’s 2025 term opens with a docket that could reshape trade, elections, civil rights, and executive power. Among the major cases: challenges to Trump-era tariffs that test the scope of presidential authority over economic policy, a Voting Rights Act dispute from Louisiana involving claims of racial gerrymandering, and a Title IX case on whether transgender students can participate in school sports. The justices will also confront questions about capital punishment and intellectual disability, the independence of federal agencies like the FTC and Federal Reserve, and the growing influence of the Court’s emergency docket.
Zachary Shemtob, executive editor of SCOTUSblog, helps break down the key cases to watch, the broader trends shaping the Court’s work, and how this term’s decisions could have lasting consequences for law, politics, and governance in the United States.
- Read Shemtob’s analysis: https://www.scotusblog.com/author/zachary/
- Learn more about the cases coming before the Supreme Court in the 2025-26 term: https://ballotpedia.org/Supreme_Court_cases,_October_term_2025-2026
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Alaska’s history with ballot measures stretches back before statehood and has produced some of the country’s most distinctive political experiments. In 1956, voters approved the “Tennessee Plan,” electing shadow representatives to lobby for statehood. In the 1970s, Alaskans twice approved relocating their capital out of Juneau—only to reject billion-dollar funding proposals that kept the government in place. And the Alaska Permanent Fund, established by voters in 1976, grew into an $80 billion investment fund that continues to pay annual dividends to residents.
- Ryan Byrne, Ballotpedia’s managing editor for ballot measures, joins Geoff Pallay to discuss these milestones along with Alaska’s recurring debates over its relationship with the federal government, the rise of ranked-choice voting, and the measures already slated for 2026—including campaign finance limits, psychedelic decriminalization, and another potential repeal of ranked-choice voting. Together, they highlight how Alaska’s ballot measures reflect the state’s independent political identity and its lasting impact on national reform debates.
- Learn more about Alaska: https://ballotpedia.org/Alaska_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
- Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbooks are out to document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States — and you can find a crash course on each state coming MONTHLY — check out the series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMNHPEjGV4G235vMd8bOR1_4
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
On this episode: Senate Republicans pushed through a major change to how presidential nominees are confirmed, lowering the threshold to a simple majority and allowing many nominees to be approved in large groups rather than one by one. The change applies to more than 1,200 positions across the federal government, including ambassadors, U.S. attorneys, and military appointments. Supporters argue it will speed up confirmations and prevent backlogs that can stall an administration’s agenda. Critics warn it weakens Senate oversight, sidelines the minority party, and chips away at institutional norms designed to protect bipartisan cooperation.Roll Call reporter Ryan Tarinelli joins host Norman Leahy to explain what exactly changed, why Republicans chose this moment to act, how the move fits into a decade of similar Senate rule fights, and what it might mean for the future balance of power in Congress.
There have been three other uses of the nuclear option in recent years, all of which affected how the confirmation process works in the Senate. In 2013, Senate Democrats used it to change the threshold to invoke cloture on non-Supreme Court nominations from 60 votes to 50 votes. The two other recent uses of the nuclear option occurred during Trump’s first administration. In 2017, Senate Republicans expanded Reid’s rule change from 2013 to include Supreme Court nominations. In 2019, Senate Republicans used the process to reduce the length of post-cloture debate on nominations from 30 hours to 2 hours.
Read Tarinelli’s reporting: https://rollcall.com/2025/09/11/gop-changes-senate-rules-to-speed-some-confirmations/
Follow our coverage: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/09/12/senate-republicans-invoke-nuclear-option-to-change-nomination-rules/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Congress faces another high-stakes deadline as the fiscal year draws to a close, and divisions over how to fund the government are coming to a head. Senate and House leaders are weighing their options as Democrats insist on health care provisions and other amendments, Republicans navigate internal disagreements, and President Trump’s influence continues to shape the standoff.
Burgess Everett, Congressional Bureau Chief for Semafor, joins the conversation to explain the shifting power dynamics between the House and Senate, how past shutdowns provide context for the current standoff, and what role party leaders like Mike Johnson and Chuck Schumer play in navigating these negotiations. The discussion explores the practical challenges of passing a continuing resolution, the vibes in Congress following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the political risks of a shutdown, and how the outcome could influence both parties heading into the next election cycle.
- Read Burgess’ reporting: https://www.semafor.com/author/burgess-everett
- Here’s what happens when the government shuts down: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmshB6WbQO8
- Learn more about the last government shutdown: https://ballotpedia.org/116th_United_States_Congress#Noteworthy_events
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: CA voters will decide this fall whether to approve Proposition 50, a ballot measure that would amend the state’s constitution to temporarily suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission and replace its maps with new, partisan-drawn districts. Supporters, led by Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic allies, argue the change is needed to counter mid-decade redistricting efforts in states like Texas and Florida. Opponents — including Republicans, good governance groups, and even former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger — say the measure undermines reforms voters approved more than a decade ago. Maya C. Miller of CalMatters joins the show to explain how Prop 50 made it onto the ballot, what the campaigns for and against are emphasizing, and what polling suggests about its chances this November.
- Learn more about Prop 50: https://ballotpedia.org/California_Proposition_50,_Use_of_Legislative_Congressional_Redistricting_Map_Amendment_(2025)
- Read Miller’s reporting: https://calmatters.org/author/maya-miller/#latest-stories
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Congress has returned from its summer recess, but the break has done little to ease the challenges on their plate. At the top of the agenda is a fast-approaching deadline to fund the government, with debates inside the Republican caucus shaping what kind of proposal might move forward. Democrats face their own set of pressures, balancing calls from within the party’s base for a tougher stance with concerns about being seen as responsible for a potential shutdown. These crosscurrents come at a moment when long-serving members like New York Democrat Jerry Nadler are beginning to step aside, raising broader questions about generational change and how leadership roles may shift in the coming years.
Beyond the funding debate, lawmakers are also navigating how best to explain sweeping legislation to voters back home, a task complicated by the sheer size and scope of recent bills. Discussions around security funding for Washington, D.C., add another layer of complexity, as members weigh policy details alongside political considerations. And then, of course, there’s the ongoing public pressure for greater transparency in the Epstein saga.
Together, these issues illustrate the crowded landscape on Capitol Hill and the many factors shaping the work of Congress this fall. POLITICO congressional reporter Nicholas Wu joins the show to help shed light on the hectic month ahead.
Check out some of our guest’s work: https://www.politico.com/staff/nicholas-wu
Learn more about the latest in Congress: https://ballotpedia.org/119th_United_States_Congress
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia CEO and founder Leslie Graves joins host Norm Leahy to share insights from a yearlong “virtual listening tour” with 100 school board members across 33 states. The conversations revealed struggles that rarely make headlines, including the challenges boards face in accessing reliable data on student achievement, how political tension bleeds into their work, the difficulty of moving past conflict, and the reality that most members are volunteers trying to balance limited time with big responsibilities. The story of these local officials underscores how much of American democracy happens far from the spotlight, and why understanding their struggles matters for anyone trying to make sense of our schools and politics.
- Read Leslie’s Column: https://ballotpedia.org/From_the_desk_of_Leslie_Graves
- Learn more about the tour: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_School_Board_Listening_Tour
Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Arizona has one of the most active ballot measure histories in the country, with nearly 500 measures decided since gaining statehood in 1912. The state has also considered more immigration-related measures than any other state, reflecting its role on the frontlines of national debates. Former Host Geoff Pallay returns for the latest installment of our Historical Ballot Measure Series with Ballotpedia’s Victoria Rose (also a former host!), discussing everything from judicial recall, approval rates across different types of measures, the closest contests, how Arizona’s initiative process to other states, and more — plus, proposals that may appear on the ballot in 2026.
Explore Arizona’s Factbook here: https://ballotpedia.org/Arizona_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
Learn more about Arizona’s ballot measure history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDGehqQo3RM
Listen to our Historical Ballot Measure Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMNHPEjGV4G235vMd8bOR1_4
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Federal Reserve has been at the center of America’s biggest economic turning points for more than a century as one of the country’s most powerful institutions. Former Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker joins host Norm Leahy to trace that story—from the banking panics that led to its creation in 1913 to JP Morgan’s role in corralling Wall Street leaders. He explains how Congress set up 12 regional reserve banks, why the Fed’s role shifted during the Great Depression and World War II, and how the 1951 Treasury-Fed Accord cemented its independence. Lacker also shares how presidents from Lyndon Johnson to Richard Nixon tried to influence Fed decisions, and why Paul Volcker’s fight against inflation in the late 1970s remains a defining moment. Today’s debates over the Fed’s authority, independence, and accountability echo all the way back to the Reserve’s founding — and learning its history can help make sense of where the institution may go in the months and years ahead.
Learn more about our guest: https://www.jeffreylacker.org/
Learn more about the Federal Reserve: https://ballotpedia.org/Federal_Reserve_System
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Louis Jacobson, senior columnist for Sabato’s Crystal Ball, explains why the 2026 secretary of state elections could be among the most important contests of the cycle. In most states, secretaries of state oversee elections, giving them direct influence over how voting is administered and results are certified. With 26 seats on the ballot—including key battlegrounds such as Arizona, Michigan, Nevada, Wisconsin, and Georgia—these races could shape the rules and practices of future elections. Jacobson outlines how responsibilities differ from state to state, why the offices have drawn more national attention in recent years, and previews the forthcoming 2026 edition of the Almanac of American Politics, a comprehensive resource on American government and elections.
Read Jacobson’s overview of the races: https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/previewing-the-2026-secretary-of-state-races/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Texas lawmakers are considering mid-decade changes to the state’s congressional map after President Donald Trump called for them to create five additional Republican-leaning districts. In response, some Democratic legislators have left the state to block a quorum, delaying a vote. To help bring you up to speed, we this episode features two interviews:
- First, Texas Tribune reporter Eleanor Klibanoff details the actions taken by both parties, including fines, legal measures, and debates over “coalition districts” under the Voting Rights Act.
- And in the second half of the show, independent election analyst Nathaniel Rakich breaks down the national context, discussing how states such as California and Florida are weighing similar changes, the procedural and legal challenges involved, and how these developments could affect control of the U.S. House in 2026.
For more:
- Check out Rakich’s work: https://x.com/baseballot
- Follow along with the Texas Tribune’s coverage of the latest redistricting developments: https://www.texastribune.org/series/texas-redistricting-2025/
- Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
- Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield secured 51% of the vote in the city's August 5th mayoral primary, significantly exceeding pre-election polling that predicted she would finish with around 35-36%. Sheffield will face Reverend Solomon Kinloch, who finished second with 17%, in November's general election. The nine-candidate field included several experienced politicians, but none captured significant voter enthusiasm according to local coverage. Pulitzer Prize-winning Detroit Free Press columnist M.L. Elrick analyzes the results and what they mean for Detroit's continued revitalization efforts, the challenge of spreading downtown development to neighborhoods, and potential implications for Michigan politics including outgoing Mayor Mike Duggan's independent gubernatorial campaign in 2026.Follow along with our coverage of the race:https://ballotpedia.org/City_elections_in_Detroit,_Michigan_(2025) Check out Elrick’s reporting: https://www.freep.com/staff/5026771002/ml-elrick/ Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6 Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Seattle's August 5th mayoral primary produced unexpected results, with incumbent Bruce Harrell—endorsed by the governor and congressional delegation—currently trailing progressive organizer Katie Wilson. The city hasn't re-elected a mayor since 2005, and this tight race looks as if that pattern could continue. As mail-in ballots are counted through mid-August, the contest centers on key issues, such as Harrell's public safety record and Wilson's housing proposal to open 4,000 emergency units through tiny homes. Multiple incumbents across Seattle races are also trailing their challengers, from city attorney to council president, suggesting potential changes in leadership coming down the road. Seattle's results may offer insights into Democratic voter preferences in this heavily blue city as the general election approaches in November.
Follow along with the primary results: https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Seattle,_Washington_(2025)
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Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The second installment of our new series Office Hours, featuring founder and CEO Leslie Graves in wide-ranging conversations about how and why Ballotpedia does its work, ranging from editorial decisions and coverage philosophy to broader questions about civic engagement. Each episode builds on themes from Leslie’s Pathfinder column for PBS/WNET’s Preserving Democracy initiative.
In this episode, we kick off a new effort to hear directly from our readers and listeners by asking open-ended questions in our newsletters. What motivates politically curious people to keep learning? Why do they seek out extra context, or unbiased sources? And how can Ballotpedia foster that kind of community?
- Catch up on Leslie’s columns: https://ballotpedia.org/From_the_desk_of_Leslie_Graves
- Full Office Hours Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMO2t_0SXnYhwMv6HHgIoL75
Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Explore Michigan's fascinating 140-year ballot measure history with our very own Ryan Byrne. From its origins as the first state east of the Mississippi to adopt direct democracy, Michigan has seen voters reject income tax proposals six times over 50 years and nearly opt out of daylight saving time by just 490 votes. The state became the first in the Midwest to legalize marijuana and has witnessed unique ballot battles over everything from margarine regulations to communist party bans. Learn how Michigan's initiative process evolved from its restrictive 1908 beginnings to today's system, and discover what's coming in 2026, including a rare constitutional convention question that has surprising Republican support.
Learn more about Michigan’s ballot measure history: https://ballotpedia.org/Michigan_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
Check out the other episodes in our Historical Ballot Measure Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMNHPEjGV4G235vMd8bOR1_4
Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral, nonpartisan legislature—and it's creating some fascinating political dynamics. Former state Senator Laura Ebke joins us to break down how nonpartisan voter registration is skyrocketing while Democratic registration plummets, with nonpartisans potentially outnumbering Democrats in the next election cycle. She explains why people temporarily switch party registration before primaries, what happens when your state capitol has an unused second chamber, and how Republican registration has held steady around 47-49% despite the shifts. From George Norris's tire-wearing campaign in the 1930s to today's generational realignment, discover why Nebraska's 90-year experiment might preview America's political future.Check out some of The Platte Institute’s work: https://platteinstitute.org/people/laura-ebke/ Learn more about politics in the cornhusker state: https://ballotpedia.org/Nebraska Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6 Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Split ticket voting—where voters cast ballots for candidates from different political parties—has declined dramatically since peaking in the 1980s, according to new analysis of over 100 years of election data. Mixed party outcomes, where states elect different parties for president and down-ballot races, reached historic highs in 1972 and 1984 when Nixon and Reagan won 49 states respectively, creating opportunities for split results. Today, these outcomes occur in single digits nationwide, with Nevada in 2024 serving as a rare example where Trump won the presidential vote while Democrats maintained control of the Senate seat and state legislature. The data, spanning from 1916 to 2024, shows that factors like well-funded incumbents, popular presidential candidates, redistricting, and reduced electoral competition all influence whether states produce mixed party results across different offices.
Explore our new report: https://ballotpedia.org/Mixed-party_election_outcomes_in_presidential_election_years,_1916-2024
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Indiana recently became the fifth state to require partisan school board elections, changing from the nonpartisan format used by over 90% of school boards nationwide. Under the new law, candidates must run with party labels, joining four other states that mandate partisan elections while 41 states continue to require nonpartisan races. The policy change reflects ongoing discussions about school board election formats that have gained attention since the pandemic. Supporters of partisan elections argue that party labels provide voters with additional information about candidates' perspectives, while those favoring nonpartisan elections contend that removing party labels allows focus on local education issues. The debate highlights different approaches to structuring local elections, with some states allowing districts to choose their format and others maintaining uniform requirements statewide.
More on the national landscape: https://ballotpedia.org/Rules_governing_party_labels_in_school_board_elections
Check out Indiana’s new law: https://ballotpedia.org/Party_labels_in_Indiana_school_board_elections
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Washington DC Council faces an unprecedented situation as Ward 8 holds a special election on July 15th following the expulsion of Trayon White, the first council member ever removed from office in the district's history. White, who was charged with federal bribery in August after allegedly being caught on video accepting cash envelopes in exchange for steering city contracts, won reelection with roughly ¾’s of the vote in November 2024 before being unanimously expelled by his colleagues. Now running to reclaim his seat against three challengers—advisory neighborhood commissioner Salima Dofo, former mayoral aide Sheila Bunn, and attorney Mike Austin, to name a few—White's potential return creates a complex political dilemma for the council. The situation is further complicated by President Trump's recent threats to take over DC's government and the symbolic significance of Ward 8 as the political base of former mayor Marion Barry. Council members must weigh whether to expel White again if he wins, risking backlash from Ward 8 voters who have twice supported him, while considering the broader implications for federal interference and the district's reputation as White's federal trial looms in January 2026.
Catch up on the race: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/06/27/seven-candidates-are-running-in-a-special-election-for-ward-8-of-the-washington-d-c-city-council/
Follow our guest’s reporting: https://wamu.org/person/alex-koma/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Supreme Court’s recent term produced decisions affecting nationwide injunctions, healthcare access, and parental rights. Zachary Shemtob, Executive Editor of SCOTUSblog, outlines rulings that barred universal injunctions in Trump v. CASA, upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors in United States v. Skrmetti, and opened the door for parents to exclude children from LGBTQ-themed educational materials in Mahmoud v. Taylor. Additional cases addressed procedural limits on Medicaid-related lawsuits in Medina v. Planned Parenthood and due process claims involving DNA evidence in death penalty cases in Gutierrez v. Saenz. Shemtob highlights trends in unanimous opinions, patterns of dissent among justices, the influence of Chief Justice Roberts, and the expanding role of the emergency docket in resolving time-sensitive disputes with nationwide implications — plus, the cases SCOTUS is likely to take up over the summer.
Check out Shemtob’s work: https://www.scotusblog.com/
Explore our page on this year’s term, with details on every case and comparisons to prior terms: https://ballotpedia.org/Supreme_Court_cases,_October_term_2024-2025
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: To mark our 200th episode, Ballotpedia Founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins Host Norm Leahy for the debut of our new monthly series Office Hours. Leslie outlines her ambitious vision to cover all 520,000 elected offices in the U.S. by 2034, explains the mission behind Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, and makes the case for why voters deserve “robust information” at every level of the ballot.
Catch up on Leslie’s columns: https://ballotpedia.org/From_the_desk_of_Leslie_Graves
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: In this installment of our monthly ballot measure series, Geoff Pallay and Victoria Rose trace the history of North Carolina’s statewide ballot measures—from 19th-century amendments on slavery and segregation to recent court battles over voter ID laws. They explore why the state has never adopted a citizen initiative process, how its high legislative referral pass rate compares to other states, and what these votes reveal about shifting political power and constitutional change in the Tar Heel State.
Explore North Carolina’s History: https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
Check out the other states we’ve covered thus far in our Historical Ballot Measures Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMNHPEjGV4G235vMd8bOR1_4
This year, we're hoping to learn more about our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: New York City voters head to the polls for the Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, June 24 – with early voting totals already exceeding what the city saw in 2021. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is attempting a political comeback, while Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has gained traction with a progressive message and growing grassroots support. Annie McDonough, City Hall reporter for City & State NY, joins us to break down the key dynamics shaping the race. We discuss the role of ranked-choice voting, early turnout patterns, and how incumbent Mayor Eric Adams—no longer seeking the Democratic nomination—plans to stay on the ballot in November.
- Learn more about the Democratic Primary: https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_New_York,_New_York,_2025_(June_24_Democratic_primary)
- Follow along with the general election: https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_New_York,_New_York_(2025)
- Read some of McDonough’s reporting: https://www.cityandstateny.com/voices/annie-mcdonough/17228/?oref=csny-post-author?oref=rf-post-author
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: For over 75 years, the American Bar Association has played a key role in evaluating the professional qualifications of federal judicial nominees. But its involvement has long been a source of debate—particularly among Republicans, with concerns about bias dating back to the Reagan administration. In this episode, University of Richmond law professor Carl Tobias explains how the ABA’s process works, why some view it as a valuable independent resource, and why others argue it should be excluded from the nomination process altogether. We also discuss the implications of recent moves to curtail the ABA’s access and what that could mean for judicial confirmations going forward.
Learn more about the ABA: https://ballotpedia.org/ABA_ratings_during_the_Trump_administration
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: New Jersey’s gubernatorial race is taking shape following a pair of high-profile primaries on June 10th that set the stage for one of 2025’s most closely watched elections. Democrat Mikie Sherrill secured her party’s nomination with broad statewide support, while Republican Jack Ciattarelli dominated his field with the backing of Donald Trump and institutional GOP support. The match-up reflects deeper trends in both parties, from Democratic coalition-building to the state GOP’s evolving relationship with President Donald Trump. Brent Johnson, a political reporter for NJ.com, breaks down what the primary results reveal about New Jersey’s political landscape, the dynamics of the upcoming general election, and the state-level issues and national forces likely to influence the race ahead. Plus — what to watch in the down-ballot contests voters will be weighing in on this November.
Check out our coverage of NJ’s elections: https://ballotpedia.org/New_Jersey_elections,_2025
Read Brent’s reporting: https://www.nj.com/staff/bdjohnson/posts.html
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Constitutional scholar Sai Prakash of the University of Virginia joins us to explore the origins, evolution, and modern realities of presidential power. Drawing on historical debates from the Constitutional Convention, Prakash outlines how early framers envisioned a limited executive—primarily tasked with enforcing laws—and how that vision has shifted over time.
Prakash and our Host, Norm Leahy, examine landmark developments including the rise of popular mandates, the use of emergency declarations, expansions of war powers, and the increasing use of executive action in areas where Congress has not legislated. Prakash also discusses the courts’ role in interpreting executive authority, the limits of congressional oversight in the polarized era we find ourselves in today, and the potential for constitutional or statutory reforms. Whether you're curious about originalism, the concept of an “imperial presidency,” or how different branches of government interact today, this episode offers a wide-ranging look at one of the central tensions in American governance.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.***
- Check out our page on America’s founding document: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Constitution
- Explore Prakash’s work and scholarship: https://www.law.virginia.edu/faculty/profile/sp5mm/1200266
- Learn more about the current executive branch of government: https://ballotpedia.org/Executive_Branch
This year, we're hoping to learn more about our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
On this episode: House majorities have grown razor-thin in recent elections, with three cycles in a row decided by just a handful of seats. Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball joins to explain how voter sorting, redistricting changes, and a shrinking battlefield are shaping the odds for 2026. He breaks down why historical midterm trends may be less reliable, how key states like New York, Ohio, and Wisconsin could swing control, and why even small shifts—just one or two seats—can have outsized effects.
Read Kondik’s analysis: https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/the-house-a-big-sort-lowers-the-odds-of-a-big-wave/
Explore our ‘26 House elections page: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2026
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*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As of May 6, 2025, fourteen members of Congress had announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. This group includes five senators—three Democrats and one Republican—and nine representatives, comprising four Democrats and five Republicans. Among the House members, one Democrat is retiring from public office, while the others are pursuing higher offices: four are running for the U.S. Senate, and four Republicans are entering gubernatorial races. These early announcements mark the second-highest number of congressional retirements at this point in the election cycle since 2018, indicating a significant shift in the upcoming political landscape.What’s that all mean for the 2026 midterms?
Read our latest report: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/05/06/fourteen-members-of-congress-have-announced-they-will-not-seek-re-election-in-2026/
Learn more about our guest: https://www.geoffreyskelley.com/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As school districts adjust to the end of federal COVID relief funding and new policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, many are navigating budget shortfalls, shifting enrollment trends, and tough financial trade-offs.
Dr. Marguerite Roza — Director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University — joins the show to break down how education funding works, who makes key budget decisions, and what challenges districts are facing this year. From staff reductions and hiring freezes to community debates over school closures, this episode offers a clear look at how education dollars are allocated—and what parents and community members should know about the process.
Check out our education newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Hall_Pass
Watch Margueritte’s most recent webinar on school budgets here: https://edunomicslab.org/2025/02/27/a-tough-budget-season-what-you-need-to-know/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: From local zoning laws to federal education funding, rules created by the administrative state shape daily life in more ways than most people realize. Amy Handlin — a new member of Ballotpedia’s Policy team — unpacks how the modern regulatory system developed in response to 20th-century corruption, how it expanded through citizen demand and federal policy, and how it continues to evolve today. Amy and our host Norm Leahy explore why criticisms of bureaucracy persist, what could be lost in efforts to dismantle it, and how everyday people can influence the system without needing a law degree.
Learn more by exploring our portal: https://ballotpedia.org/Administrative_state
This year, we're hoping to learn more about what our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Congress is once again turning to the powerful tool of budget reconciliation to try and pass major legislation — and with razor-thin majorities in both chambers, every vote counts for the Republican coalition trying to pass President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’
Michael Thorning, director of the Structural Democracy Project at the Bipartisan Policy Center, joins the show to break down what reconciliation actually is, why it matters to everyday Americans, and how it’s being used in current debates over tax cuts, deficit concerns, and federal spending. From the internal GOP clash over the Trump-era tax cuts to the Senate’s complex Byrd Rule restrictions, this high-stakes and rapidly evolving fiscal showdown is playing out in real time. Here’s what you need to know as you follow along.
- Here’s how the process typically works: https://ballotpedia.org/Budget_reconciliation_in_U.S._Congress
- Check out BPC’s explainer: https://bipartisanpolicy.org/explainer/budget-reconciliation-simplified/
- And listen to our episode on the process from earlier this year: https://ballotpedia.org/On_the_Ballot_Episode_165_Budget_reconciliation_explained
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On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Virginia may hold elections every year, but the 2025 contests are shaping up to be especially exciting. With races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, the state is once again a key barometer for national political sentiment.
The Virginia Scope’s Brandon Jarvis joins Ballotpedia’s new host, Norm Leahy, to unpack why these elections matter beyond state lines—from Abigail Spanberger’s strategy and Winsome Sears’ fundraising blitz to the GOP's internal deliberations. They’ll also explore everything from the impact of redistricting and union politics to the controversy surrounding the Republican ticket and what Virginia voters’ choices might say about the national mood heading into 2026.
Virginia is one of two states — along with New Jersey — whose elections we’ll be following closely on the show throughout the rest of the year. You can expect Part 2 to come out sometime in mid-July.
- Learn more about Virginia’s Elections: https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_elections,_2025
- Read Brandon’s reporting: https://www.virginiascope.com/
This year, we're hoping to learn more about what our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief five minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
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*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of our guests and do not represent the views of the host or Ballotpedia.
On this episode: Oregon’s long and lively ballot measure history takes center stage as we explore how the state became a pioneer in direct democracy in the latest edition of our Monthly Historical Ballot Measures series.
With more initiatives than nearly any other state, Oregon has tackled everything from salmon fishing rules and death penalty debates to psilocybin legalization and electoral reform. Geoff Pallay and Ryan Byrne dig into the origins of Oregon’s initiative process, the influence of colorful reformers like William U’Ren, and how voter-led policymaking has repeatedly reshaped the state's laws—and even influenced national legal precedent.
Explore Oregon’s history: https://ballotpedia.org/Oregon_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
Check out the other states we’ve covered thus far in our Historical Ballot Measures Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMNHPEjGV4G235vMd8bOR1_4
This year, we're hoping to learn more about our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche experiment into a disruptive force with global implications—and U.S. financial institutions, lawmakers, and regulators are working to establish clear crypto-related policy. In this episode, we unpack the state of crypto policy in 2025: The political realignment around digital assets, the rapid growth of stablecoins, the future of tokenized securities, and the debate over whether the U.S. should adopt a central bank digital currency or establish a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
Our guest is former CFTC Chairman Chris Giancarlo , who severed in that position from 2017 to 2019. Known to many online as "CryptoDad," today Giancarlo helps lead the Digital Dollar Project, which advocates for a thoughtful exploration of a U.S. digital currency. With deep insight into both public and private sector shifts, he helps us break down where policy could be headed, what setbacks could be on the horizon, and the implications of America's approach.
This year, we're hoping to learn more about our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: President Trump has made his first judicial nomination since returning to office, selecting a candidate for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Most presidents make few judicial nominations in their first 100 days, and Trump’s current pace aligns with historical trends dating back to Reagan. While his first term (and former President Joe Biden’s) saw a record number of Article III appointments, Trump’s current term began with fewer vacancies across the federal judiciary. Factors like Senate control and long-term court openings shape how many judges are ultimately appointed, and our data shows that the bulk of judicial nominations typically occur in the second and third years of a presidency.
- Our latest look at federal judicial vacancies: https://ballotpedia.org/The_Federal_Judicial_Vacancy_Count_5/1/2025
- Subscribe to our newsletter about federal courts and judges: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Robe_%26_Gavel
- This year, we're hoping to learn more about our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: What does it really take to track down local election information? On this episode of On the Ballot, Ballotpedia’s Thomas Grobben joins host Doug Kronaizl for a behind-the-scenes look at the quirky, persistent, and sometimes unexpected lengths our team goes to in order to gather candidate data from all corners of the country. From calling local newspapers and county treasurers to enlisting the help of a gas station clerk—and even a squirrel-rescuing election commissioner—this episode highlights the human side of covering decentralized elections and the value of our expanding local election coverage.
Learn more about our local election coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Local_election_coverage,_2025
This year, we're hoping to learn more about our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: States don’t all count ballots at the same speed, and the reasons why are more complicated than they might seem. In some places, unofficial election results are nearly complete by the end of Election Day. In others, it can take election officials days or even weeks to finish the count. Behind the scenes, policies around ballot deadlines, early voting, pre-processing rules, and election resources all shape the timeline.
The factors that slow down or speed up ballot counting come into sharper focus when comparing California and Florida — two states with high levels of early and mail voting, but dramatically different reporting speeds. Their approaches offer a window into the broader tradeoffs between delivering faster results and protecting voter access, election accuracy, and public trust.
- Explore the full report: https://ballotpedia.org/Factors_affecting_the_speed_of_ballot_counting_and_delivery_of_unofficial_election_results,_with_a_case_study_of_California_and_Florida
This year, we're hoping to learn more about our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: We explore how authority over public education is shifting across the country—starting with Ohio’s new “Parents' Bill of Rights” law. Axios Columbus reporter Alissa Widman Neese breaks down the law’s controversial provisions, reactions from educators and lawmakers, and where the debate might go next. Then, Ballotpedia staff writer Annalise Reinwald joins the show to explain how local school board powers differ across states, what’s changing, and why it all matters for voters, parents, and students.
- Read about Ohio’s new parent’s bill of rights: https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/04/09/ohio-house-bill-8-parents-rights-law
- Explore our school board authority overview: https://ballotpedia.org/Local_school_board_authority_across_the_50_states
This year, we're hoping to learn more about what our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The 3rd installment of our Historical Ballot Measures Factbook series! A deep dive into the Golden State’s long and influential history with ballot measures. Former host and ballot measure expert Victoria Rose returns to help us explore how California became a national trendsetter in direct democracy—covering everything from Prop 65’s warning labels to the tax revolt sparked by Prop 13. We also break down why it’s gotten so expensive to qualify a measure for the ballot, how California voters repealed English-only instruction in schools, and what to expect from upcoming measures in 2025 and beyond. Plus, a few fun facts about chiropractic laws and the only advisory question in California history.
Explore California’s factbook: https://ballotpedia.org/California_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: In 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States. Around the same time, Idaho lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to do the same at the state level—setting the stage for a 2026 ballot measure. But this push for English-only laws has a much longer history, one shaped by shifting politics, cultural identity debates, and legal challenges that go back decades.
For example — did you know that English is already the official language of 30 states?
First, Idaho Capital Sun reporter Kyle Pfannenstiel explains what’s behind Idaho’s latest move, what supporters hope to achieve, and why opponents are raising concerns. Then, Ballotpedia’s Ryan Byrne walks us through the rise of English-as-official-language laws across the country—how they gained momentum in the 1980s, what kinds of court rulings they’ve triggered, and why many of them turn out to be more symbolic than sweeping. We also unpack how Trump’s executive order fits into the broader landscape—and whether it could spark more state-level action in the years ahead.
- Explore the history of these laws: https://ballotpedia.org/History_of_English_as_official_language_ballot_measures_and_laws
- Learn about Idaho’s 2026 measure: https://idahocapitalsun.com/2025/03/25/english-could-become-idahos-official-language-under-constitutional-amendment/
- Read President’s Trump’s executive order: https://ballotpedia.org/Executive_Order:_Designating_English_as_the_Official_Language_of_The_United_States_(Donald_Trump,_2025)
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Breaking down the high-stakes April 1st elections, featuring two of the most closely watched contests since last November. First, Wisconsin Public Radio’s Anya van Wagtendonk joins us to unpack Judge Susan Crawford’s double-digit victory in the nation’s most expensive judicial race in history, what drove the record-breaking turnout, and how the results could shape abortion access, union rights, and redistricting in the Badger State. Then we head south with POLITICO Florida’s Gary Fineout to explore two Republican-held special elections, the retention of those seats, and why closer-than-expected margins—even in deep-red districts in Florida—are worth analyzing . From Elon Musk’s influence to shifting county-level dynamics, this episode connects the dots on how local races could ripple nationally.
Learn more about each race:
- Wisconsin Supreme Court: https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Supreme_Court_elections,_2025
- Florida Congressional: https://ballotpedia.org/Florida%27s_1st_Congressional_District_special_election,_2025
Check out our guest’s reporting:
- Wisconsin Public Radio’s Anya van Wagtendonk: https://www.wpr.org/person/anya-van-wagtendonk
- Politico’s Gary Fineout: https://www.politico.com/staff/gary-fineout
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: With Incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley retiring, the stakes in Wisconsin's April 1st election to select her successor couldn’t be higher — determining whether the court maintains its current liberal majority or shifts to a conservative 4-3 split.
The candidates, former Republican Attorney General and current circuit court judge Brad Schimel, and Dane County circuit court judge Susan Crawford, present voters with starkly different visions.
With high-profile cases on issues like abortion rights and collective bargaining on the horizon—and following 2023’s record-breaking judicial race spending—all eyes are on Wisconsin once again.
- Learn more about the election: https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Supreme_Court_elections,_2025
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: With every state legislature in session this year, lawmakers have introduced thousands of bills aimed at reshaping how Americans vote. Some states are tightening voter registration requirements, while others are expanding mail-in voting and ranked-choice elections. Partisan control is driving many of these changes, but some surprising bipartisan efforts have emerged as well. Ballotpedia’s Joe Greaney joins the show to break down the latest trends in election administration legislation, what’s passing in red vs. blue states, and what these shifts could mean for the 2026 election cycle.
- Explore the report: https://ballotpedia.org/State_of_Election_Administration_Legislation_2025_Spring_Report:Executive_summary
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ohio’s ballot measure history is shaped by constitutional debates, major policy shifts, and battles over direct democracy. The 1912 constitutional convention laid the foundation for the state's initiative and referendum process, fueling a surge in ballot activity. The 1919 referendum on Prohibition attempted to overturn the state legislature’s ratification of the 18th Amendment—leading to a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling. Decades later, constitutional revisions in the 1970s reshaped governance, while food tax bans and crime victim rights amendments reflected shifting voter priorities. From right-to-work laws to modern debates on constitutional amendment thresholds, Ohio’s ballot measures tell a story of ongoing legal and political evolution.
- Explore Ohio’s Factbook: https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Legislators are in the midst of negotiating a bill to keep the federal government up and running through September. Key debates and votes are playing out over the course of this week, with a ‘partial’ government shutdown possibly starting as early as this Friday, March 14th, if Congress can’t agree on a path forward.
From federal employee furloughs to impacts on essential services, this episode unpacks the ripple effects and what’s at stake.
*CORRECTION: In the episode, our host mistakenly says the government could shut down on Friday, March 15th; Friday is the 14th, but the deadline remains the same.
Learn more about the most recent federal government shutdown: https://ballotpedia.org/Federal_government_shutdown,_January_2018
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As of March 2025, 15 states have enacted universal private school choice programs, allowing all students to access public funds for private schools, homeschooling, and other alternatives to traditional public education. These programs—ranging from education savings accounts (ESAs) to tax credit scholarships and vouchers—have become a defining feature of state-level education policy debates.
In this episode, we break down the national landscape of school choice, examining where these programs exist, how they function, and the political dynamics shaping their adoption. We explore the partisan divide—why all 15 states with universal school choice are either Republican-led or divided governments—along with the 17 states offering limited private school choice and the 18 states without any such programs.
A key point of contention in these debates is the impact on rural school districts. Republican trifecta states with universal choice policies have an average of 51% rural school districts, compared to 63% in those without such policies. What does this mean for students, families, and local schools?
Join us as we dig into the data, the policy trends, and the arguments fueling the ongoing school choice discussion in America.
Learn more about our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Impact_of_school_choice_on_rural_school_districts
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: On Monday, March 3, voters in the Town of Vernon, Ind., — population 236 — casted their ballots in the state’s ONLY regularly-scheduled election of the year. The reason Vernon is such an outlier is because it is the only town in the state still governed by a charter, which was enacted in 1851, rather than state law.
Here’s what Vernon voted on earlier this week, how some of their election-day practices date back to colonial times, and generally how charters alter local governance.
- Follow our coverage here: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/02/27/previewing-indianas-only-regularly-scheduled-2025-election/
- Read Vernon's charter: https://www.vernonindiana.org/charter.php#
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Democratic Governor Tony Evers recently proposed adding a citizen initiative process to the state’s constitution. It’s been more than thirty years since the last state adopted the citizen initiative process in the 90s, so it’s unlikely that Wisconsin or any other state will do so this year. But Evers bringing it up is noteworthy on its own, considering how rare it is — and we thought the debate presented a great opportunity to look closer at Wisconsin’s ballot measure landscape.
Tune in for details on some upcoming Wisconsin ballot initiatives — like the one coming in April seeking to add voter ID requirements into the constitution—as well as some surprising historical Wisconsin ballot measures.
- Explore Wisconsin’s ballot measure history: https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
- Hear more about Evers’ proposal: https://www.wpr.org/news/evers-referendum-budget-citizens-vote-changing-law-wisconsin-constitution
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode of our ‘Explained’ series: Interstate compacts are little-known yet powerful agreements that allow states to work together on critical issues like healthcare, occupational licensing, and transportation. These agreements help states streamline policies, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and even improve access to essential services. But how do they work, and why are they becoming more prominent in recent years?
In this episode, we’re joined by Joana Da Silva-Gonzalez, Manager of Policy Initiatives at West Virginia University’s Knee Center. Joana specializes in state policy research and legislative trends, with a particular focus on workforce mobility, healthcare access, and regulatory frameworks. She breaks down the mechanics of interstate compacts, highlights recent legislative trends, and explains how these agreements are shaping the landscape of professions like medicine, social work, and education.
- Learn more about interstate compacts: https://ballotpedia.org/Interstate_compact
- Check out West Virginia University’s Knee Center: https://csorwvu.com/
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode:With Incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley retiring, the stakes in Wisconsin's April 1st election to select her successor couldn’t be higher — determining whether the court maintains its current liberal majority or shifts to a conservative 4-3 split.
The candidates, former Republican Attorney General and current circuit court judge Brad Schimel, and Dane County circuit court judge Susan Crawford, present voters with starkly different visions.
With high-profile cases on issues like abortion rights and collective bargaining on the horizon—and following 2023’s record-breaking judicial race spending—all eyes are on Wisconsin once again. Wisconsin Public Radio’s State Capitol reporter Anya van Wagtendonk breaks it all down.
- Learn more about the election:https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Supreme_Court_elections,_2025
- Sign up for our Newsletters:https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Did you know elections can sometimes get a "do-over"? From voter mistakes and administrative errors to natural disasters and electoral fraud, redo elections can happen for all kinds of reasons and work differently around the country. Ballotpedia’s Doug Kronaizl walks us through recent examples in Georgia, Indiana, and California, breaking down the legal and logistical challenges involved. Learn what triggers a redo election, how candidates adjust their strategies, and why these unique elections might be a sign that the system is working as intended.
Sign up for our Newsletters:https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: In some analyses, 2024 was called the year of the challenger, with a variety of global elections seeing prominent leaders, incumbents, or establishment figures lose. Here at Ballotpedia, we talk often about state legislative elections, which shape governance at the most fundamental level. And in 2024, state legislative elections saw much of what we have seen over the past few decades - the year of the incumbent, with more than 90% of incumbents winning re-election.
In 2024, we saw —303 in total across 44 states. This was the fewest incumbent defeats in any even year since 2016 — but, it also happened to be the second consecutive election cycle where more incumbents were defeated in primaries than in general elections.
So what does this say about the shifting dynamics within parties? And how do these losses impact legislative control and policy-making in key states?
- Read our analysis: https://ballotpedia.org/Incumbents_defeated_in_state_legislative_elections,_2024
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode:There are only two gubernatorial offices on the ballot in 2025, in New Jersey and Virginia.
The incumbents in both races—Phil Murphy (D) in New Jersey and Glenn Youngkin (R) in Virginia—are term-limited, meaning that both states will have new Governors at the end of the year.
We’re still a long way out from those elections, but since they’re the only two on the calendar for 2025, we wanted to offer an early glimpse into the marquee candidates, the issues that’ll drive their campaigns, what the stakes are for each major party in both states, and how national politics might factor into who winds up having an edge.
Our guests include:
- Brandon Jarvis of the Virginia Scope
- Politico’s Matthew Friedman, who writes their NJ playbook
Check out our overview of the this year’s races in VA and NJ: https://ballotpedia.org/Gubernatorial_elections,_2025
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Not every law or amendment makes it to the ballot overnight. In Virginia, proposed constitutional amendments must pass through two legislative sessions—with an election in-between—before voters have their say. This year, lawmakers are considering measures on abortion rights, same-sex marriage, and restoring voting rights for individuals with felony convictions, but their fate might depend on what happens in the next election.
Hear us break down Virginia’s amendment process, explore similar systems in states like Pennsylvania and Nevada, and explain how legislative action today shapes the choices voters will see in future elections.
- Learn more about how this process works in VA: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/01/27/virginias-two-session-rule-for-constitutional-amendment-house-of-delegates-election-could-affect-the-future-of-proposed-amendments-on-abortion-marriage-and-voting/
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Dr. Elaine Kamarck helped lead the National Performance Review in the 90s as part of the Clinton administration. It was nicknamed REGO for “reinventing government,” and focused on cutting wasteful spending and inefficiencies in federal programs, workforce reductions, and decentralizing authority…sound familiar?
The National Performance Review represents one of the most recent ventures by the federal government similar to what President Donald Trump and Elon Musk hopes to do with the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE.
With the administration’s agenda starting to take shape, we thought it’d be a great time to talk with someone like Elaine to explore her perspective on DOGE and hear about her experience spearheading one of the last major federal efforts to make the government more efficient.
Learn more about DOGE and follow along with our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Department_of_Government_Efficiency
Read Kamarck’s article in Brookings: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/cut-the-government-with-a-scalpel-not-an-axe/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The budget reconciliation process occurs if Congress passes a budget resolution for the fiscal year that gives reconciliation instructions. It’s used to override the filibuster and expedite the approval of a package of legislation in Congress that changes spending, revenues, or the debt limit — making it an ideal tool for the Trump administration to advance their agenda. These bills require a simple majority (51 votes) instead of the three-fifths majority (60 votes) usually needed in the Senate to bring bills to a vote and approve them.
Here’s a breakdown of how it works, where it originated, and how it’s been used in recent years in packages like 2018’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act or 2022’s Inflation Reduction Act.
- Visit our portal for an in-depth look at the process: https://ballotpedia.org/Budget_reconciliation_in_U.S._Congres
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Every year, state lawmakers consider thousands of bills that would change how Americans vote and how officials administer elections. Most states — 44 — have already started their legislatives sessions and are hard at work crafting legislation. Over the past 3 years, 35% of ALL election administration bills were introduced by mid-February. We thought it’d be a great time to preview what we’re looking out for this year when it comes to election-related legislation and take a break from all of the presidential and federal news that’ll unfold this week.
Read our end-of-year report from December previewing what to look out for this year: https://ballotpedia.org/State_of_Election_Administration_Legislation_2024_Year-End_Report:Looking_ahead
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: When the Congressional Review Act was signed into law in 1996 by Bill Clinton, it gave Congress a way to hit pause on federal agency rules they believe have gone too far or otherwise aren’t achieving the desired effect.
Here’s how it works: Congress gets a window of time to review any new rule, where both chambers have a chance to pass what’s called a ‘joint resolution of disapproval.’ Then—if the president signs off—that rule is overturned. And maybe the most interesting part of the process is that the agency whose rule has been overturned can’t issue a similar rule again in the future.
The tool’s only been used to repeal 20 rules in its nearly 30 year history, most of which in the last few years — and most heavily by Donald Trump during his first term. The incoming administration sees it as a key to advancing their agenda and rolling back regulations, so we figured now would be a great time to talk a little more about its history, original intention, and the big role it might play over the next few months.
Check out our CRA page for an overview: https://ballotpedia.org/Congressional_Review_Act Explore Biden’s use of the CRA: https://ballotpedia.org/Uses_of_the_Congressional_Review_Act_during_the_Biden_administration How Trump used it his 1st term: https://ballotpedia.org/Uses_of_the_Congressional_Review_Act_during_the_Trump_administration Federal changes following the CRA in ‘96: https://ballotpedia.org/Federal_agency_rules_repealed_under_the_Congressional_Review_Act
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Donald Trump returns to the White House next week hoping to hit the ground running, eager to enact his agenda as quickly as possible. A primary tool in his arsenal are executive orders, which enable him to change course on policy simply with a stroke of his pen. Estimates of the volume of executive action we can expect from Trump have been all over the place, with some claiming it could be over a hundred and others theorizing it’ll all come in one sweeping order.
You might not know that executive orders are one of three different types of executive actions (along with presidential memoranda and presidential proclamations) the president has at their disposal, each with their own purposes and levels of influence — meaning that the type of action plays a big role in whether or not it has any teeth.
Ellen Morrissey — Ballotpedia staff writer covering the presidency — joins the show to explain the key differences between types of executive actions, dig into the history of how they’ve been used, highlight the track records of recent presidents, and weigh in on the strategy behind how an administration moves in their first 60 days in power.
- Follow along with Trump’s executive actions here, which will be updated as they become available: https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump%27s_executive_orders_and_actions,_2025
- More on the transition process: https://ballotpedia.org/What_happens_during_Donald_Trump%27s_presidential_transition_process,_2024-
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode:This number might be a little hard to believe, but did you know that there are more than 500,000 elected officials in the United States? Less than 1% of them are at the federal level…which means that there are a TON of local officials being elected every year, and 2025 will be no different. Learn more about our local election work as we expand our coverage to 26 states
- Learn more about the uncontested elections on our radar this year: https://ballotpedia.org/Analysis_of_uncontested_elections,_2025
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: If you live in one of the 26 states where citizens can put laws directly on the ballot, you’ve probably seen ballot measures pop up during elections—deciding everything from property taxes and abortion rights to marijuana legalization and ranked-choice voting. But have you ever wondered where this process came from? Or how it became such a powerful — and sometimes controversial — tool in American politics?
If you’ve been following Ballotpedia for a while, you’ll know that ballot measures are our bread and butter – pretty much what started it all here for us.
The initiative process has its roots in a time of upheaval, over a century ago, when the balance of power in the U.S. was shifting in dramatic ways. Big business was booming, railroads and corporations were gaining immense influence, and many Americans felt that their government no longer worked for them. From these frustrations, a radical idea emerged: What if citizens didn’t have to wait for politicians to act? What if they could draft proposals for their own laws, gather support from their neighbors, and force them onto the ballot?
On this episode, we’ll welcome four experts for a special deep dive into the history and modern debate around citizen initiated ballot measures. Our guests include:
- John Matsusaka from the University of Southern California – making his second appearance on the show and we’re excited to have him back – to walk us through some of that early history and to highlight how the initiative process has evolved from those early days over the course of the 20th century. (STARTS AT 4:00)
- Maybe our most frequent guest, Ballotpedia’s own Ryan Byrne, who will guide us through the highs and lows of ballot measure usage over time. He’ll tease out the forces that determine why some initiatives succeed while others fail, share some of our analysis from the last several years, and explain the strategies campaigns use to qualify initiatives for the ballot today. (STARTS AT 31:56)
- Dane Waters, an advocate for direct democracy and a founder of The Initiative & Referendum Institute. He’s spent decades advocating for and analyzing citizen lawmaking, both in the U.S. and around the world. We thought he’d be the perfect person to help bring us inside the process, from the grassroots to the global scale. (STARTS AT 46:04)
- And finally, Dan Smith from the University of Florida, who’ll help us connect this historical journey to what’s happening right now. Dan will peel back the curtain on the political tug-of-war between legislatures and citizens over ballot measures. Are these tools still a way to give power back to the people? Or have they become battlegrounds for special interests (STARTS AT 1:02:22)
You’ll notice that some of our guest’s answers overlap a bit – for example, we asked each of them questions what topics and issues they think could dominate the landscape over the next several years, or whether more states could adopt the initiative process in the future – but we think that’s all part of what we do best here at On the Ballot: Arming you all kinds of data, anecdotes, and perspectives so you can make up your own mind.
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- Learn more about the initiative process: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_initiative
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- See which states do, and don’t, currently have the tool at their disposal: https://ballotpedia.org/States_with_initiative_or_referendum
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- Explore thousands of measures for yourself: https://ballotpedia.org/History_of_initiative_and_referendum_in_the_U.S.
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: It might come as a bit of a surprise that between 2018 and 2023, over half of the elections that took place were uncontested, meaning that there was one, or even zero, candidates vying for seats in those races. That figure this year was closer to 70% – the highest we’ve seen since we began collecting data on local elections in 2018. Winning an election is obviously a whole lot easier if you’re not running against anybody, and the implications of where and how this plays raises important questions about why folks aren’t running for office, what effect it has on local politics, and what, if anything, could be done to reverse the trend.
Explore our in-depth analysis: https://ballotpedia.org/Analysis_of_uncontested_elections,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As incoming president Donald Trump looks to staff his incoming administration, several of his top appointments are leaving behind active roles as elected representatives – like Senator Marco Rubio of Florida, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, and Elise Stefanik, a member of the House from New York.
Here’s what happens to those seats, and how procedures differ among different levels of government and across different states.
Learn more about how the process works for:
- House: https://ballotpedia.org/Filling_vacancies_in_the_U.S._House_of_Representatives
- Senate: https://ballotpedia.org/Filling_vacancies_in_the_U.S._Senate
- Governorships:https://ballotpedia.org/How_gubernatorial_vacancies_are_filled
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Split-ticket voting, also known as ticket splitting, occurs when voters choose candidates from different parties in a single election — voting Republican Donald Trump for president and Democratic congressional candidates, for example. In today’s partisan political landscape, many outlets and pundits did not expect there to be significant levels of split ticket voting this cycle. Though as the dust settles nearly a month after the election, ticket splitting looks to have played a big role in some of the tightest races.
Kyle Kondik — managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics — joins the show long with Ballotpedia managing editor Cory Eucalittlo to pore over the data and highlight the biggest surprises and trends to keep an eye out for in ‘26.
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Political recounts typically occur in the event of a close margin of victory, following accusations of election fraud, or due to the possibility of administrative errors. They can either occur automatically and be requested by a candidate or voters at every level of government, from local offices up to presidential elections. And, when they happen, recalls can cause a whole lot of confusion in the process.
- Here’s how recount laws and procedures differ around the country: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_recount_laws_and_procedures_in_the_50_states
- Our approach to covering recalls: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:How_we_cover_election_lawsuits_and_recounts
- Learn about some of the most notable recounts in American history: https://ballotpedia.org/Noteworthy_recounts_in_the_United_States
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As a result of the 2024 elections, two Democratic trifectas were lost. Republicans gained a majority in the Michigan House and at least a tie in the Minnesota House, breaking the Democratic trifectas in those states. Republicans neither gained nor lost trifectas. As a result, there were 23 Republican trifectas, 15 Democratic trifectas, and 12 divided governments after the 2024 elections.
Staff writer Joel Williams joins the show to break down the movement we saw among trifectas this Fall and what to look out for in 2025, with potential shifts on the horizon for New Jersey and Virginia.
- Learn more about Trifectas: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024:_State_government_trifectas
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: California voters recalled both Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao and Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price on Nov. 5. The recalls are first-of-their-kind, with Thao being the first Oakland mayor and Price the first Alameda County district attorney to be recalled.
Joshua Spivak — author of the Recall Elections Blog and Senior research fellow at Berkeley Law's California Constitution Center — joins the show to help us take a look at this year’s landscape, how it compares to what we’ve seen in recent years, and what we should look out for next year.
- Check out Joshua’s recall coverage: https://recallelections.blogspot.com/
- Learn more about this year’s recall landscape: https://ballotpedia.org/Political_recall_efforts,_2024
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
Q and A (for Spotify ): Want us to cover a specific issue, topic, trend, election, or bill? Let us know here or shoot us an email at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org
On this episode: Major networks and outlets began calling the House of Representatives for Republicans throughout the day on Wednesday, and AP officially did late in the evening. By retaining control of the lower chamber of congress, Republicans now are poised to enter the new year with a federal trifecta.
Erin Covey — who leads The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter’s coverage of the House — joined the show earlier Wednesday afternoon to break down why some states take so long to tabulate votes, what the races yet to be called look like, what trends she’s noticing in the House results so far, and how having a federal trifecta will impact how Republicans carry out President-elect Donald Trump’s agenda.
- Read Cook’s latest on the balance of power in the House: https://www.cookpolitical.com/analysis/house/house-overview/republicans-track-retain-narrow-majority-exact-margin-still-uncertain
- Follow along with our coverage of the House and Senate: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024:_U.S._Congress
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Veteran pollster and political analyst Scott Rasmussen was one of the first experts to call a victory for president elect Donald Trump on the night of November 5th. Hear his thoughts on the accuracy of polling this cycle; the difference between polling and surveys (and why that matters); why Trump’s sweep of the swing states doesn’t equate to a landslide; the role A.I. might play in polling over the next few years; and more.
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Pivot Counties are the 206 counties nationwide we identified as having voted for Barack Obama (D) in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections and Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Media and political observers sometimes refer to these counties as swing counties. Ballotpedia defined Pivot Counties Trump won in 2020 as Retained Pivot Counties and those Joe Biden (D) won as Boomerang Pivot Counties.
While vote totals are still being tabulated in some states, as of November 6th 2024, there were:
- 169 Pivot Counties across 27 states that Trump won in 2020 and 2024
- Two Pivot Counties—one each in Vermont and Connecticut—that Trump won in 2020 and Harris won in 2024
- 14 Pivot Counties across 10 states that voted for Trump in 2016, Biden in 2020, and Trump in 2024
- Seven Pivot Counties across six states that voted for Trump in 2016, Biden in 2020, and Harris in 2024
Check out our full analysis of pivot counties: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024:_Pivot_Counties_in_the_2024_presidential_election
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Voters in 41 states decided on 146 statewide ballot measures on November 5th, and as of the 7th at 12:00 PM ET, 87 (59.6%) statewide ballot measures were approved, 46 (31.5%) were defeated, and 13 (8.9%) remained uncalled. Ryan Byrne — the head of our ballot measures team — joins the show to share what we know so far, how the major trends played out, and what it might all mean for direct democracy in 2025.
- Follow along with our ballot measure coverage here: https://ballotpedia.org/2024_ballot_measure_election_results
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Former president Donald Trump has won the race for the White House with Vice President Kamala Harris conceding earlier this afternoon. Republicans have won control of the Senate, while it still may be some time until we know the outcome of the House. With results rolling in, we take a closer look at what we know about state-level elections thus far, including state legislative chambers, state SCOTUS,’ and more.
(This episode was recorded at 3:30pm ET. Be sure to check out our site for the latest news!)
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Follow along with our updates here: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024
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Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: A late night look at the results rolling in for presidential, congressional, state, and local elections, as well ballot measures. (This episode was recorded at 12am ET. Georgia was called for Trump immediately after we concluded recording, and other updates have likely arrived since publishing — so be sure to check out our site for the latest news!)
– Follow along with our updates here: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024
– Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: At least 83 million people have voted early in this year's election (78 at the time this episode was recorded). How does that compare to what we saw in 2020? And what can we learn from who’s choosing to vote early this time around?
With less than 24 hours to go(!) until election day, we welcome the University of Florida’s Michael McDonald—one of the country’s foremost experts on early voting—to the show to break down his analysis of early voting, key anecdotes of from swing states, what to make of the Selzer poll out of Iowa, and more.
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Follow along with election results: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2024
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Check out Michael’s work on early voting at UF’s Election Lab: https://election.lab.ufl.edu/early-vote/2024-early-voting/
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Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
On this episode: A brief overview of the 15 races we’re watching including races for U.S. Senate, House, governors, other state executives, state supreme court judgeships, and state legislatures. Our editorial department selected these elections based on past election results, unique election-specific circumstances, and election race ratings. The final selections include a mix of federal, state, and local races. Briana Ryan, Ethan Sorell, and Lara Bonatesta of our elections team join the show for a lightning round preview of the races that stick out most to them.
Explore our report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Top_15_Elections_to_Watch,_2024
Our full list of the 15 elections we're watching includes:
- U.S. Senate election in Michigan
- U.S. Senate election in Ohio
- California's 13th Congressional District election
- New Mexico's 2nd Congressional District election
- New York's 17th Congressional District election
- Oregon's 5th Congressional District election
- Washington's 3rd Congressional District election
- New Hampshire gubernatorial election
- Attorney General of North Carolina election
- Alaska House of Representatives elections
- Arizona State Legislature elections
- Michigan House of Representatives elections
- New Hampshire State Senate elections
- Michigan Supreme Court elections
- Ohio Supreme Court elections
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Voters in 41 states will decide on 146 statewide ballot measures at the general election on November 5. A few members of our ballot measures team join the show to break down our top 15 to watch across the country, which address issues like abortion, ranked-choice voting, non-citizen voting, criminal justice, wages, and drug-use policies.
Explore our full report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Top_15_Ballot_Measures_and_Trends_to_Watch,_2024
Our Top 15 ballot measures to watch next week include:
- Florida Amendment 4: Right to Abortion Initiative
- Southwestern Swing States, Arizona and Nevada: Right to Abortion Initiatives
- Nebraska Initiative 434 and 439: Competing Abortion Initiatives
- Amarillo, Texas, and San Francisco, California: Local Abortion Measures
- Alaska Ballot Measure 2: Repeal Top-Four RCV Initiative
- Colorado, Idaho, and Nevada RCV: Top-Four and Top-Five RCV Initiatives
- Arizona Propositions 133 and 140: Competing Electoral Systems Amendments
- Washington, D.C. Initiative 83: RCV Initiative
- Eight States: Non-Citizen Voting Ban Amendments
- Ohio Issue 1: Redistricting Commission Initiative
- California Proposition 36: Drug and Theft Crime Penalties Initiative
- Florida Amendment 3: Marijuana Legalization Initiative
- Washington Initiatives 2066 and 2117: Energy Policy Initiatives
- Colorado and Kentucky: School Choice Amendments
- Nebraska Referendum 435: Private School Education Scholarships Referendum
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: There might not be anything we take more seriously than our status as one of the leading nonpartisan political outlets in the country. We look out for and identify 25 distinct types of bias when it comes to political coverage — from speech tribe language to cherry-picking favorable sources and parroting the news. Kelly Coyle, who helps lead and craft our approach to bias, joins the show for a little Bias 101 with less than a week to go to the election.
Learn more about how we categorize bias and the 25 distinct types we look out for: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:How_we_categorize_bias
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
On this episode: Since 2018, more than 15,000 candidates for political office have completed Ballotpedia’s candidate survey. This tool is a wonderful way to help voters learn more about their candidates, and we’ve processed more than 6,000 for this election cycle alone for federal, state and local elections. Four members of our staff who work closely on the survey every year — Sarah Groat, Ken Carbullido, Spencer Richardson, and Sam Wonacott — join the show to share some of their favorite anecdotes about this year’s results and the impact these surveys can have on races big and small.
Learn more about the survey: https://ballotpedia.org/Survey
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Democrat Kathy Boockvar and Republican Kim Wyman each served as secretary of state in Pennsylvania and Washington, respectively, during the 2020 presidential election. They’ve come together this year to help educate voters about the electoral process and share insights from their years of experience. Our Editor-in-Chief Geoff Pallay picks their brains about what administering elections was like in 2020, the challenges we’ll see play out over the next few weeks and months, and how to speak across the aisle when it comes to restoring confidence in our system.
OTB will be coming to you DAILY over the next two weeks! Please follow, like, and share the show to help us reach more listeners like you who are looking for unbiased, fact-heavy coverage of election season.
Check out Kathy’s page on BP: https://ballotpedia.org/Kathy_Boockvar
Check out Kim’s page on BP: https://ballotpedia.org/Kim_Wyman
Learn more about your state’s electoral system here: https://ballotpedia.org/Electoral_systems_by_state
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins our social media manager Abby Campbell for a chat about how Ballotpedia can help young prospective voters get informed and empowered in what promises to be an exciting year of elections.
Leslie and Abby discuss weeding through the abundance of news online, how to identify reliable political information, and share some stories about their first voting experiences.
NOTE: This episode was originally published in April '24.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Our annual Ballot Measure Readability report explores the complexity of statewide ballot measure titles and summaries to determine the educational level voters might need to fully understand what they’re being asked to weigh in on. We use the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) scales to determine how accessible these texts are based on objective factors, such as the number of syllables, words, and sentences in a text (Note: These scores focus solely on language structure, NOT the complexity of the ideas themselves).
For the 159 statewide ballot measures certified in 41 states for elections this fall, we found that the average FKGL was 16, which correlates with a bachelor's degree. The average FRE for ballot titles was 20, which also corresponds with college graduates.
Is that a big deal?
Ballotpedia’s Ryan Byrne runs through a handful of example measures from around the country while unpacking how developing measures works in different states and recent legislation aimed at making measures easier to understand for the average American.
Check out the report to see the readability scores for measures in your state: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_measure_readability_scores,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: 34 of the 100 Senate seats are up for election in just a few weeks, with control of the upper chamber of congress bound to come down to just a handful of tight races. Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governor’s editor for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins the show to run through Cook’s current toss up Senate races, which have shifted lately and those that still could, and to take a deep dive into races for Democrat Jon Tester’s seat in Montana, Republican Ted Cruz’s seat in Texas, and more.
An in-depth guide to the race for the Senate: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Senate_elections,_2024
See Cook’s latest ratings on the Senate: https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/senate-race-ratings
And check out our other episode from this week, where Cook’s Erin Covey joined the show to help break down the House’s closest contests: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Izn_bhRk-SQ
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: All 435 seats of the House or Representatives are up for grabs this election season. Here at Ballotpedia, we’re tracking 53 of those as battleground races – which means we’re expecting about 13% of these races to be truly competitive. Heading into the election, Republicans have a 220-212 majority, with three current vacancies. Democrats need a net gain of five districts to win a majority in the chamber.
This week, we’ll be taking a closer look at the two chambers of congress — the House and Senate — with the help of The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter. Today, we’re joined by Erin Covey, who leads Cook’s coverage of the House of Representatives, to break down the tightest races, which races she’s shifted towards either party in recent weeks, and what winning the majority could mean for either party’s agenda once in power.
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Check out more of Erin’s work: https://www.cookpolitical.com/about/staff/erin-covey
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An in-depth guide to the race for the House:: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2024
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See Cook’s latest on the House ratings: https://www.cookpolitical.com/ratings/house-race-ratings
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Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: With a record 11 abortion related measures on the ballot in 10 states, we can expect one of the nation’s most divisive issues to linger in many American minds when they head to cast their votes at the polls in a few weeks.
In the first half of the show, you’ll hear Ballotpedia staff writer Nicole Fisher detail the measures, how they’re different, and what polling indicates about their odds of passing.
In the second half, we’ll be joined by Julie Rovner — KFF Health News’ Chief Washington Correspondent and host of their weekly health policy news podcast, “What the Health? — to explore how messaging around abortion has evolved post-Roe being overturned, the latest related to IVF treatment policy, how Federal policy makers could try to regain control over the issue from the states, and more.
For a complete breakdown of abortion’s role this Fall: https://ballotpedia.org/2024_abortion-related_ballot_measures_and_state_context
And be sure to check out Julie Rovner’s podcast, ‘What the Health?’ Here’s a recent episode which tackles how abortion is impacting the presidential race and more: https://kffhealthnews.org/news/podcast/what-the-health-366-harris-trump-vance-election-abortion-october-4-2024/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
On this episode: Bans on noncitizen voting at the state level have become more frequent since 2018, and this year, there are a record number of ballot measures related to the issue.
Eight state legislatures referred constitutional amendments to the ballot to prohibit the state or local governments from allowing noncitizen voting – that’s in Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Wisconsin.
In 1996, Congress passed legislation making noncitizen voting in federal elections a crime – so it doesn’t matter which state we’re talking about here; when it comes to federal elections, there’s nowhere in the country where it is legal for noncitizens to vote for the president, their senators and house members, or any federal office.
But how common is it exactly for noncitizens to vote in local elections? Have they been allowed to at any other point in American history? Why is constitutional language so important here? And what’s the broader context for where these ballot measures are coming from?
More on noncitizen voting and where it’s legal for local elections: https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_permitting_noncitizens_to_vote_in_the_United_States
Learn about this year’s trending ballot measures — which tackle big questions on abortion, electoral systems, wages and more: https://ballotpedia.org/2024_ballot_measures
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Few voting methods have gained as much traction and been in the spotlight these last few years as Ranked Choice Voting, commonly known as RCV. How it works is right in its name; voters rank candidates according to their preference and ballots are processed in rounds. The candidate in the last place is eliminated during each round and the voters’ second choices get their votes. The process is continued until a candidate wins a simple majority (50 percent plus one) of the vote.
In just a few weeks, RCV will be one of the hottest ballot measure questions to watch, with six states deciding on initiatives to adopt, repeal, or pre-empt ranked-choice voting. We cover RCV very closely here at Ballotpedia – we’ve got a great in-depth guide in the show notes for you, filled with everything you need to know about how it works, its history, arguments for and against, and more.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Last night, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Ohio Senator JD Vance took to the stage in New York for the first and only scheduled vice presidential debate, hosted by CBS. Without a second debate on the horizon for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump, this might've been one of the last opportunities for each ticket to make their case to voters on the national stage.
Ballotpedia Staff Writer Ellen Morrissey joins the show to break down the themes that stood out to her during the debate, how impactful they can actually be for the presidential race, some VP debate history, and what to look out for in the few remaining weeks before the election.
Check out our VP debate coverage here: https://ballotpedia.org/Vice_presidential_debate_(October_1,_2024)
More on the race for the White House: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: 11 Gubernatorial elections on the ballot this November – in Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia, as well as American Samoa and Puerto Rico. Most of these contests aren’t expected to be competitive – but two – in New Hampshire and North Carolina – are about as close as they can get.
In this episode, we’ll take a closer look at both of those gubernatorial contests with the help of two journalists closely covering what’s unfolding in those states – Madison Fernandez, a reporter at Politco, and Dawn Vaughan, the Capitol Bureau Chief for The Raleigh News & Observer. Later in the episode, we’ll welcome Ballotpedia’s own Glorie Martinez for an overview of the other nine races, as well as some recent history, trifecta statuses, and more.
For an overview: https://ballotpedia.org/Gubernatorial_elections,_2024
On the toss-up in NH: https://ballotpedia.org/New_Hampshire_gubernatorial_election,_2024
And on the shifting landscape in NC:
https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_gubernatorial_election,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: A complete breakdown of our 14th Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report, which analyzes all 5,807 state legislative seats that are up for election on November 5, 2024, in 44 states. Overall, our research found that competitiveness in 2024 was below average for even years from 2010 to 2024. Looking at averages across the last three even-year election cycles: 2024 had fewer open seats, incumbents in contested primaries, and seats with major competition.
Key findings you’ll hear about in this episode include:
- 965 seats were open (16.6%). This was the second-smallest number of open seats since Ballotpedia began gathering data in 2010.
- 1,047 incumbents faced contested primaries (21.6%). This was roughly average compared to previous years, down from 27% in 2022 but higher or the same as the 20% and 22% in 2020 and 2018, respectively.
- 3,580 seats are contested by both major parties (61.6%), higher than in 2022 (59.2%) but lower than in 2018 (66.3%) and 2020 (65.2%).
Read the report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Annual_State_Legislative_Competitiveness_Report:_Vol._14,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
NOTE: This episode was recorded on Friday, September 20th, BEFORE polling on Monday, September 23rd indicated a bump for former President Donald Trump in the swing states; particularly in Arizona, North Carolina and Georgia, according to a new poll by the New York Times and Siena College (that's how fast this stuff changes!)
On this episode: The end of last week saw a deluge of new polling updates from many of the major polling outlets, trying to capture the constantly evolving pulse of how Americans around the country say they’re planning to vote. This year, like every election cycle, extra attention is paid to those states that get designated as swing states – the closest contests that in most cases wind up deciding the eventual winner. According to most outlets, those states this year are Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Nevada, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
First, we welcome Lakshya Jain from Split Ticket – a polling and election modeling outlet – for some insight into their most recent projections for these swing states, which they released on September 20th. Then, Ballotpedia's own Glorie Martinez joins the show to share some recent swing state history and how they've changed over the last twenty years.
Follow our presidential coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election,_2024
Read Split Ticket’s most recent presidential model: https://split-ticket.org/2024/09/20/our-2024-presidential-model/
Learn more about Ballotpedia’s perspective on polling: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_approach_to_covering_polls
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: We’re set to see marijuana pop up in some way or another on ballots across the country this November, with potentially seven marijuana-related measures overall. Recreational use of marijuana is currently legal in 24 states and D.C., 13 states from that bunch legalized marijuana through the ballot measures process–and three more will try to do the same this November, with initiatives set to be decided on in Florida, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Looming over all of these proposals is the prospect of marijuana being federally rescheduled from schedule I to Schedule III under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA), which could significantly change the landscape of potential legislation.
Guests include Ballotpedia’s Nicole Fisher, a staff writer on our ballot measures team, and Vanderbilt’s Robert Mikos, an expert on marijuana policy and federalism.
- For the big picture policy landscape: https://ballotpedia.org/Marijuana_laws_and_ballot_measures_in_the_United_States
- For a closer look at this year’s ballot measures: https://ballotpedia.org/Marijuana_on_the_ballot#By_year
- Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s communication’s team takes over the podcast for a walkthrough of our Voter Toolkit to help get ready to vote this November. Learn how to use the sample ballot tool, read candidate surveys, find out when polls open and close, and more at the link below.
Election ‘24 Voter Toolkit: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Voter_Toolkit
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Last night, Vice President Kamala Harris and Former President Donald Trump took to the stage at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania for their only scheduled debate as presidential hopefuls.
Julia Terruso, a national political reporter at The Philadelphia Inquirer, joins the show to break down how each candidate fared, their message to voters in Pennsylvania, and what the scene inside the Spin Room was like after the debate, where Trump made an unscheduled appearance. In the second half of the episode, Ballotpedia Staff Writer Ellen Morrissey shares some debate history, how long each candidate spoke for, the prospect of a second presidential debate, and the upcoming Vice Presidential debate.
Check out our debate coverage here: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_debate_(September_10,_2024)
More on the race for the White House: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election,_2024
Follow Julia Terruso on X: https://x.com/JuliaTerruso
See her work at The Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/author/terruso_julia/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Our Editor-in-Chief is set to lead On the Ballot through what promises to be an action-packed election season. Joined by our longtime host–ballot measures staff writer Victoria Rose–Geoff shares why he's excited to step into the role and what you can expect from us over the next few months.
Learn more about Geoff: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Geoff_Pallay
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Dr. Adam Feldman–a scholar on the Supreme Court, who runs the Empirical SCOTUS blog–joins to break down the recent term and what he’s looking out for in next year’s term, which’ll start in October. Plus – why we’ve seen the court take on fewer cases per year on average since 1988.
Take a look at the most recent term: https://ballotpedia.org/Supreme_Court_cases,_October_term_2023-2024
Check out Feldman’s work here: https://empiricalscotus.com/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Voters in nine states—Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, New York, Nevada, and South Dakota—will decide on abortion-related ballot measures in Nov. 2024. This is the most on record for a single year. Initiatives are pending signature verification in two additional states—Arkansas and Nebraska. Our ballot measures team breaks down what these measures have in common, how what we’re seeing this year compares to recent memory, and how these all may factor into November’s election.
**NOTE: This episode was recorded on Tuesday morning, August 20th, a few hours before Montana’s Right to Abortion initiative was certified; throughout this episode, you’ll hear us refer to eight being the current count of certified measures. Montana’s ballot measure is detailed near the end of the episode.
Read our reporting here: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2024/08/14/with-certifications-in-arizona-and-missouri-voters-in-eight-states-will-decide-on-abortion-related-ballot-measures-in-2024-the-most-on-record-for-a-single-year/
More on how this year’s ballot measures stack up against what we’ve seen in recent years: https://ballotpedia.org/2023_and_2024_abortion-related_ballot_measures
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Day two at the Democratic National Convention is well underway, with former president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama set to speak later this evening.
Today, we’re joined by GQR pollster Anna Greenberg, who’s attending the DNC in Chicago this week, to bring us inside the convention and tell us a little more about the Democrats plans for the upcoming campaign and a possible Harris presidency.
Read our coverage of the DNC: https://ballotpedia.org/Democratic_National_Convention,_2024
Learn more about Anna’s work: https://www.gqrr.com/team/anna-greenberg/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
Q and A (for Spotify ): Want us to cover a specific issue, topic, trend, election, or bill? Let us know here or shoot us an email at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org
On this episode: New York City–home to the nation's largest public school district–is planning to ban cell phones in classrooms across all of its roughly 16,000 schools. What would such a policy look like at this scale, and how do parents, educators, and students feel about its efficacy?
Chalkbeat NYC Bureau Chief Amy Zimmer joins the show to bring us up to speed on where the policy stands and when it may go into effect. In the second half of this episode, Ballotpedia staff writer Sam Wonacott shares how these policies have played out in the states and districts that have enforced them to date.
Learn more about these sorts of policies across the country: https://ballotpedia.org/State_policies_on_cellphone_use_in_K-12_public_schools
Read Chalkbeat’s reporting here: https://www.chalkbeat.org/newyork/2024/07/17/nyc-school-cellphone-ban-could-take-effect-february-2025/
Subscribe to Hall Pass, our education newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Hall_Pass
Sign up for our other Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Many observers of national politics might not have known much about Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) before his ascendence over the last few weeks to become Kamala Harris' choice for a running mate, which became official last night.
Why'd Harris choose Walz over other front runners like Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro or Arizona Senator Mark Kelly? What's his record look like as a politician, and who might succeed him as governor in Minnesota? Is the Harris-Walz ticket official, or are there any more formalities left for them to secure the nomination at the DNC in a few weeks?
Learn more about Walz: https://ballotpedia.org/Tim_Walz
Read a profile of Walz by one of our guests, Patrick Coolican, Editor-in-Chief of the Minnesota Reformer: https://minnesotareformer.com/2024/08/06/from-a-mankato-classroom-to-the-white-house-harris-names-walz-her-vice-presidential-nominee/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Texans have decided on 708 ballot measures in the nearly 150 years since the state adopted its constitution. Five hundred twenty-eight (528) measures were approved, meaning the constitution has been amended 528 times. One hundred eighty (180) measures were defeated, giving Texas measures a lifetime approval rating of roughly 75%.
In the first episode of what will become a recurring series on On the Ballot, our ballot measures expert Victoria Rose joins the show to walk us through how ballot measures work in the state, explains why Texas doesn't allow citizen initiated measures at the state level (but does at the local level), and shares some of what she found most interesting digging through 200+ years of Texas history.
The inventory of Texas statewide ballot measures is part of Ballotpedia's Historic Ballot Measure Fact Book, which will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States.
Check out our Texas HBM page: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_Ballot_Measures:_Historic_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The first six months of 2024 have already seen the most recall attempts, and successful recalls of politicians, at this point in the year in the last ten years. What’s behind the recent surge in recall activity?
In this episode, you’ll hear a full breakdown of BP’s mid-year report on political recalls, including this year’s most common trends, why states like Texas and Wisconsin are surging among others, and a breakdown of the most high profile recalls to keep an eye on.
Read Ballotpedia’s Mid-Year Recall Report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Mid-Year_Recall_Report_(2024)
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: According to BP's annual trifecta vulnerability ratings, eleven state government trifectas are vulnerable in the 2024 elections. Democrats are defending seven vulnerable trifectas and Republicans are defending four. For the Democrats, Oregon’s trifecta status is highly vulnerable, while the Republican trifectas of Texas and New Hampshire are also highly vulnerable.
A state government trifecta occurs when one party holds the governorship and majorities in both chambers of the state legislature. Currently, there are 40 of them: 23 Republican and 17 Democratic, with the remaining 10 states having divided governments, where maybe they have a Republican Governor, a Democratic Senate, and a Republican House.
Read the full report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Trifecta_vulnerability_in_the_2024_elections
Take a deeper dive into trifectas: https://ballotpedia.org/State_government_trifectas
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The assassination attempt on Donald Trump and President Joe Biden dropping out of the race for the White House–two history-shattering events in the span of eight days–have firmly pushed the minor party presidential candidates out of the conversation for the time being.
What impact might they have as we move closer to election day, and what sort of laws and tactics factor into how competitive they can actually be as candidates?
Barry Burden, a professor of American politics at the University of Wisconsin–joins the show to unpack the current field of noteworthy minor party candidates, the various challenges to getting their names on the ballot, how major parties co-opt their platforms and policies, and how we ended up with a political system dominated by two parties.
Read Burden’s recent work on the role third parties will play this November: https://theconversation.com/third-parties-will-affect-the-2024-campaigns-but-election-laws-written-by-democrats-and-republicans-will-prevent-them-from-winning-226877
Follow Burden on X: https://X.com/bcburden
On the race for the White House: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election,_2024
Learn more about the major third party and independent candidates below:
–https://ballotpedia.org/Robert_F._Kennedy_Jr.
–https://ballotpedia.org/Jill_Stein
–https://ballotpedia.org/Chase_Oliver
–https://ballotpedia.org/Cornel_West
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 presidential election this afternoon, July 21st. A president-elect has never withdrawn, died, or become incapacitated between the general election and the presidential inauguration in American history.
So what happens now?
BP staff writer Ellen Morrissey joins the show to break down Biden’s endorsement of Vice President Kamala Harris, how the Democratic National Convention might handle selecting a new nominee, early favorites, and what happens to all of the campaign funding Biden’s raised thus far.
Learn more: https://ballotpedia.org/Withdrawal_of_Joe_Biden_from_the_2024_presidential_election
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Kyle Kondik–the managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics–joins the show to discuss the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump (R), Trump’s choice of J.D. Vance (R) as his running mate, and how Joe Biden’s (D) debate performance may affect presidential polling. Plus – more on Senate/House projections, abortion ballot measures, and how plausible it is that Biden actually steps out of the race.
Follow Kyle on X: https://x.com/kkondik
Check out Sabato’s latest polling and reporting: https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: An in-depth walkthrough of our mid-year report on election administration legislation. Ballotpedia has tracked 3,735 election-related bills in 2024, more than in all of 2023. For the third year in a row, state legislators considered more election-related legislation in states with Democratic trifectas, but adopted more new election laws in states with Republican trifectas.
In Republican-led states, bill topic themes touched on issues such as ballot harvesting/ballot collection, voter registration drives, referring noncitizen voting ballot measures to voters, or preempting efforts to establish ranked-choice voting. In Democratic-led states, bill topic themes included cure provisions for absentee/mail-in voting, new definitions and penalties for voter suppression, and new laws related to election dis- and mis-information.
Several topics found support across the partisan spectrum with new laws in several states related to voter list maintenance, protections for officials and workers, presidential electors, and voting by eligible but incarcerated individuals or someone convicted of a felony.
Read the report here: https://ballotpedia.org/State_of_Election_Administration_Legislation_2024_Mid-Year_Report
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this Episode: On Friday, SCOTUS overruled the legal doctrine known as Chevron Deference in a 6-3 decision authored by Chief Justice John Roberts.
For almost 40 years, Chevron served as a legal structure through which courts may review, approve, and reject regulations in the context of statutory intent. Justices Elena Kagan, Sonia Sotomayor, and Katanji Brown-Jackson dissented, arguing that deference should be given to agency expertise to clarify ambiguities in statutes.
In this special re-release of On the Ballot's coverage from earlier in the year, we unpack Chevron Deference’s history, how the doctrine works, the arguments for and against keeping it around, and what its future might look like after SCOTUS’s decision.
An in-depth guide: https://ballotpedia.org/Chevron_deference_(doctrine)
Our Learning Journey: https://ballotpedia.org/Journey:_Chevron_deference
More BP coverage: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2024/06/28/supreme-court-overturns-chevron-deference/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: A conversation with Joe Nguyen, a Democratic member of the Washington State Senate, representing District 34. Senator Nguyen sponsored WA SB 5838, which established an artificial intelligence task force that’ll explore different use cases, think through how to address developments like deepfakes, and set the standard for where Washington state goes from here.
483 bills have been introduced in just the first six and a half months of this year. It’s not only a huge jump from what we saw last year; it’s more than all of the activity we’ve seen from 2019-2023. As the technology has advanced, lawmakers and advocates are seeking to balance concerns about deepfakes with First Amendment free speech considerations, and beneficial uses of the technology.
Our new Artificial Intelligence Deepfake Legislation Tracker seeks to be a home base for keeping up with the legislative explosion we’ve seen in states around the country. Launching today, you can use the tracker to follow the latest developments in all 50 states.
Try the tracker for yourself: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/ai-deepfakes/home
Read our report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Deepfake_policy_in_the_United_States,_2019_-_Present
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: A conversation with Toni Hasenbeck, a Republican member of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, representing District 65. Representative Hasenbeck has sponsored several bills related to artificial intelligence–one of which being OK HB 3642, which updated the state's laws on obscenity and child pornography and broadened what might be considered unlawful.
483 bills have been introduced in just the first 6 and a half months of this year. It’s not only a huge jump from what we saw last year; it’s more than all of the activity we’ve seen from 2019-2023. As the technology has advanced, lawmakers and advocates are seeking to balance concerns about deepfakes with First Amendment free speech considerations, and beneficial uses of the technology.
Our new Artificial Intelligence Deepfake Legislation Tracker seeks to be a home base for keeping up with the legislative explosion we’ve seen in states around the country. Launching today, you can use the tracker to follow the latest developments in all 50 states.
Try the tracker for yourself: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/ai-deepfakes/home
Read our report here: https://ballotpedia.org/Deepfake_policy_in_the_United_States,_2019_-_Present
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Unlike for-profit organizations, campaigns are considered nonprofits and are, as a result, not as heavily scrutinized when it comes to privacy practices. What does that mean for your personal data when you visit a campaign’s website?
Kaushal Kafle–a soon-to-be doctoral graduate from William and Mary University–and his colleagues analyzed the privacy practices of political campaigns through their research of 2,060 campaign websites from the November 2020 general election.
Kafle shares how his research found gaps in privacy practices, including overcollection of private data, failure to provide privacy disclosures, incomplete privacy disclosures when provided, and the inadvertent sharing of data through shared fundraising platforms.
Learn more about Kafle’s research: https://news.wm.edu/2024/02/07/your-personal-data-is-political-wm-computer-scientists-find-gaps-in-the-privacy-practices-of-campaign-websites/
Read the full paper here: https://kaushalkafle.com/assets/conference/kafle-oakland24.pdf
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Earlier this week, voters in North Dakota approved a ballot measure that will establish age limits for the US Senate or US House of Representatives from the Roughrider State. The Congressional Age Limits Initiative, also known as North Dakota Initiated Measure 1, passed with 61% of the vote. It's officially the first American law of its kind to set a cap on how old you can be to serve as an elected official.
Now that the law has passed, the million dollar question is…what happens next?
Today's Guest is Dr. Mark Jendrysik–a political science professor from the University of North Dakota–who’s been closely following the initiative’s development and the domino effect it could potentially trigger.
Learn more about the measure here: https://ballotpedia.org/North_Dakota_Initiated_Measure_1,_Congressional_Age_Limits_Initiative_(June_2024)
Candidate requirements across the country: https://ballotpedia.org/State_legislature_candidate_requirements_by_state
Sign up for our the Daily Brew Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Daily_Brew
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
CORRECTION: The second time we refer to the results of the ballot measure, the host says it passed with 69% of the vote; this is wrong, as it passed with nearly 61% support.
On this episode: Introducing our new tool! The first nationwide resource for state-level administrative state bill tracking, our brand new tracker provides a free, one-stop hub for individuals to follow administrative state legislative reforms in every state legislature, from introduction to enactment.
Check out the Tracker here: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/admin-state/home
Learn more about the administrative state: https://ballotpedia.org/Administrative_state & https://ballotpedia.org/Administrative_State_Index & https://ballotpedia.org/State_responses_to_judicial_deference
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As of May 23, 110 statewide ballot measures have been certified for the ballot in 35 states for elections this year. In even-numbered years since 2010, the average was 161 statewide ballot measures.
With a little over a month until most state legislative sessions come to a close and citizen initiative signature deadlines approaching this summer, our ballot measures team takes a look at some of the trends that have emerged thus far this year and how state legislative sessions might shape out over these next few weeks.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at mailto:ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @BP Newsletters.
Explore trends and learn more here: https://ballotpedia.org/2024_ballot_measures
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at mailto:ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @BP Newsletters.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As state legislative sessions begin to wrap up around the country, Ballotpedia has tracked roughly 20 enacted bills related to Environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing across 14 states thus far in 2024. What do they have in common?
Leg. Supporting ESG: https://ballotpedia.org/State_legislative_approaches_supporting_ESG_investing
Leg. Opposing ESG: https://ballotpedia.org/State_legislative_approaches_opposing_ESG_investing
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: On May 21st, voters in Eugene, Oregon, will decide whether or not to replace the existing electoral system with STAR voting for Mayor and City Council Elections. If approved, the city would become the first in the world to utilize this system for electing their political leaders.
Through STAR voting, voters rate candidates for a given office on a scale of zero to five, with zero indicating no support and five indicating maximum support. The scores for all candidates are then tabulated and the top highest-scored candidates advance to an automatic runoff, at which time a voter's full vote is assigned to whichever of the two candidates he or she scored highest. The candidate whom a greater number of voters gave a higher score in the runoff is declared the winner.
KLCC reporter Nathan Wilk, who's been covering the proposal, and Ballotpedia’s Joe Greaney, join the show to share how Eugene Measure 20-349 got on the ballot, local perception of the proposal, how STAR voting works, and what the arguments for and against the election system are.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
Learn more about the Ballot Measure here: https://ballotpedia.org/Eugene,_Oregon,_Measure_20-349,_STAR_Voting_for_Mayor_and_City_Council_Elections_Initiative_(May_2024)
Read Wilk’s reporting: https://www.klcc.org/politics-government/2024-04-23/eugene-could-adopt-star-voting-for-city-elections-how-would-this-work :
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: An interview with Sophia Voight, a political reporter for The Appleton Post-Crescent, part of the USA TODAY NETWORK in Wisconsin. We came across Sophia’s reporting about a month ago in a story she wrote just ahead of Wisconsin’s state-wide local elections on April 2nd, in which she noticed and documented something that we’ve been following closely here at Ballotpedia: Local elections, especially in rural areas, are increasingly going uncontested.
Through April of this year, Ballotpedia covered 11,945 elections in 40 states. Of that total, 8,802 (74%) were uncontested–16% more than the annual average between 2018 and 2023 (58%).
Voight joins Ballotpedia’s Doug Kronaizl to share what she’s learned in her reporting about why folks aren’t running for office, what the implications for local governance might be, and what might reverse this trend.
Learn more about the surge of uncontested elections this year: https://ballotpedia.org/Analysis_of_uncontested_elections,_2024
Read Voight’s reporting: https://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/politics/elections/2024/03/28/rural-wisconsin-communities-struggle-to-attract-candidates-for-elections/73032197007/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: This weekend on Saturday, May 4th, Lubbock is looking to become the 6th city or locality in Texas to try and decriminalize the possession of a small amount of cannabis. Ordinances have passed in Austin, San Marcos, Killeen, Denton, and Elgin with upwards of 70% in favor in each vote, but have yet to have meaningful implications, as Texas’s Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued to block them from going into effect.
What does all that mean for Proposition A in Lubbock? And how might preemption–where the overarching law of a state overrules a local ordinance or law–factor into its fate?
Texas Tribune Reporter Jayme Lozano joins to bring us the story on the ground, while Ballotpedia Marquee Staff Writer Joel Williams shares how preemption conflicts work when it comes to marijuana specifically.
More on Lubbock Proposition A: https://ballotpedia.org/Lubbock,_Texas,_Proposition_A,_Marijuana_Decriminalization_Initiative_(May_2024)
Read Jayme’s reporting: https://www.texastribune.org/2024/02/08/lubbock-texas-decriminalize-marijuana-ken-paxton/
How do Preemption Conflicts work?: https://ballotpedia.org/Preemption_conflicts_between_state_and_local_governments
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) just released its biennial update of the Elections Performance Index (E.P.I.) for 2022, and it brought exciting news about the state of American elections: Over the past decade, the EPI has charted the steady improvement of virtually every state in how elections are administered.
Professor Charles Stewart–director of the MIT Election Data and Science Lab, which publishes the E.P.I.–joins On the Ballot to break down the report, shed light on the states who improved the most in the past decade and those who still have room to grow, and, to lay out what this all means for the public perception of election administration.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
Check out the E.P.I.’s latest report: https://elections-blog.mit.edu/articles/elections-performance-index-charts-decades-progress-election-administration
Learn more about Professor Stewart’s work: https://polisci.mit.edu/people/charles-stewart-iii
Use BP’S Election Admin legislation tracker: https://ballotpedia.org/About_Ballotpedia%27s_Election_Administration_Legislation_Tracker
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act–more commonly referred to by its acronym, the REINS Act–is a bill that could cause major changes to the federal rule-making process if it passes into law.
If passed, it would require legislative approval of agency regulations with certain financial or economic impacts before the regulations become effective.
But what’s that process look like currently, and what are the arguments for and against changing how it works?
Ballotpedia Policy Staff Writer Molly Byrne joins the show for our latest breakdown of the administrative state.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
Learn more: https://ballotpedia.org/REINS_Act
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Most public school K-12 students in the U.S. attend a school based primarily on their residential address–and that dividing line can often determine the quality of the public education available to them. These boundaries link public education to the many facets of family residential decisions, including wealth, ethnicity, social connection, employment, and status. Ballotpedia’s director of research Josh Altic joins the show to unpack the findings from our in-depth investigation, drawing from a sample of 45 school districts across 17 states.
Learn more about the research project here: https://ballotpedia.org/School_district_open_enrollment_and_attendance_zone_drawing_policies_in_a_selection_of_districts
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: For the 100th episode of On the Ballot(!!), Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins our social media manager Abby Campbell for a chat about how Ballotpedia can help young prospective voters get informed and empowered in what promises to be an exciting year of elections.
Leslie and Abby discuss weeding through the abundance of news online, how to identify reliable political information, and share some stories about their first voting experiences.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this special video episode: All 435 House seats are up for grabs this year, but, as is often the case, the balance of power will come down to around a dozen key races around the country. Republicans are looking to hold onto their slim 221-214 majority, as Democrats seek a net gain of 4 seats to flip the lower chamber.
Nathan Gonzales, the publisher and editor of the nonpartisan ratings outlet Inside Elections, joins producer Frank Festa to unpack the path to the House majority for both parties and run through the toss-up races that promise to be the most competitive this November.
NOTE This episode was recorded on March 19th, before the House news at the end of the last week. Nathan still considers the balance of power 221-214 because Inside Elections, "keep seats assigned to a party until/unless they flip in a special election."
Inside Elections House forecast (March 1st): https://insideelections.com/ratings/house
More on the this year’s House elections: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2024
Check out a recent episode of Nathan’s show, the Inside Elections Podcast: https://youtu.be/dLC_59MZMvE?si=1z2uiulm-fIBf-nl
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Theco-founder and director of the election forecasting website CNalysis joins the show to take a look ahead at some of the most competitive races he’s watching this year at every level of government. Chaz chimes in on Cnalysis’ methodology, why Alaska is his favorite state politically, and how his forecast of the presidential election has been changing over time.
Check out Cnalysis forecasts: https://cnalysis.com/
Learn more about this year’s most competitive races: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Battlegrounds
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: 27 states now have some form of legislation banning or restricting the private funding of election administration. Will we see that trend continue in 2024 as we inch closer to November? And how is private funding supplementing the public funding of our elections?
Learn more about these types of laws: https://ballotpedia.org/Laws_governing_the_private_funding_of_elections
About Maine Question 2: https://ballotpedia.org/Maine_Question_2,_Prohibit_Foreign_Spending_in_Elections_Initiative_(2023)
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: 11 gubernatorial offices on the ballot in 2024–Delaware, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia.
Guest: BP Staff Writer Joel Williams
An overview: https://ballotpedia.org/Gubernatorial_elections,_2024
Battleground states: https://ballotpedia.org/Gubernatorial_battlegrounds,_2024
NH: https://ballotpedia.org/New_Hampshire_gubernatorial_election,_2024
NC: https://ballotpedia.org/North_Carolina_gubernatorial_election,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Sixteen states and one U.S. Territory will head to the polls on what will be the most consequential day yet this year in politics–not just in the race for The White House, but for intra-party primaries across the country. 50% of all Republican delegates and 36% of all Democratic delegates are at stake, while key primaries in California, Alabama, and North Carolina will have major implications both in those states and nationally.
Guest: BP Staff Writer Ellen Morrissey
Learn more about March 5th’s primaries: https://ballotpedia.org/Super_Tuesday_primaries,_2024
How Republican delegates work: https://ballotpedia.org/Republican_delegate_rules,_2024
How Democratic delegates work: https://ballotpedia.org/Democratic_delegate_rules,_2024
Presidential race calendar: https://ballotpedia.org/Important_dates_in_the_2024_presidential_race
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://
ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: BP’s Ryan Byrne returns for a broader look at the 11 statewide ballot propositions that have qualified for the ballot in California for elections this year.
Learn more about CA’s ballot measures here: https://ballotpedia.org/California_2024_ballot_propositions
Donate to BP: donate.ballotpedia.org/ontheballot2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Property taxes are used to fund all sorts of different municipal services. In California, local jurisdictions use parcel taxes–which are a specific type of property tax. Voters get to weigh in on whether or not these taxes get imposed, and many counties will have the chance to do so next week on March 5th when voters head to the polls. BP’s Ryan Byrne joins the show to explain what they are, how they work, and their odds of being approved and implemented statewide based on recent history.
Learn more: https://ballotpedia.org/Parcel_tax_elections_in_California
Donate to BP: donate.ballotpedia.org/ontheballot2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Many public assistance programs in the United States have long required some form of work requirement in order to access benefits – and legislators across the country are pursuing new strategies and policies for both loosening and tightening restrictions.
More on Medicaid: https://ballotpedia.org/Georgia_sues_the_Biden_administration_over_rejection_of_Medicaid_work_requirements_program_extension_(2024)
Arguments for and against work requirements: https://ballotpedia.org/Areas_of_inquiry_and_disagreement_related_to_work_requirements_for_public_assistance_programs
Donate to BP: donate.ballotpedia.org/ontheballot2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On episode #089: Fifty-nine Republican primaries for seats in the Texas House of Representatives will take place on March 5th– the most contested Republican primaries in at least a decade. Forty-five of those primaries involve a challenger facing an incumbent, which is also a decade high. BP staff writer Joel Williams joins the show for a quick preview how competitive these races might be and what’s behind the surge in primary challengers.
Learn more about the primaries here: https://ballotpedia.org/Texas_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2024_(March_5_Republican_primaries)
Why they’re so competitive: https://ballotpedia.org/Daily_Brew:_February_5,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Last month on January 17th, SCOTUS heard oral arguments in a cases that deals with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) interpretation of a federal fishery law. The court’s ruling, one of the most anticipated in 2024, could affect future applications of Chevron deference.
Chief policy editor Caitlin Styrsky joins the show to unpack Chevron Deference’s history, how the doctrine works, the arguments for and against keeping it around, and what its future might look like after SCOTUS’s likely decision later this year.
An in-depth guide: https://ballotpedia.org/Chevron_deference_(doctrine)
Our Learning Journey: https://ballotpedia.org/Journey:_Chevron_deference
SCOTUS might release a related decision in June: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2024/01/30/scotus-looks-at-chevron-but-what-exactly-does-that-mean/
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Analyst Erin Covey–who covers the US House of Representatives for The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter–joins our Host Victoria Rose to preview the trends, races, and redistricting highlights that could determine the chamber’s balance of power in November.
Follow Erin on X: https://twitter.com/ercovey
Check out our House coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: As Congress debates the best way to approach Artificial Intelligence, states are leading the charge, passing their own bills and cooperating with one another to draft legislation. Austin Jenkins of Pluribus News joins the show to help us catch up on what happened in 2023 and to take a look ahead at the bills bound to pop up all over the country this year.
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: After former President Trump’s strong showing at the Republican presidential caucus in Iowa last week and in New Hampshire’s primary this past Tuesday, the race for the presidency is in full swing. Staff writer Ellen Morrissey joins our host Victoria Rose to take a look at the upcoming primaries in South Carolina, Michigan, and more of the important dates and deadlines on the horizon.
Check out the upcoming calendar: https://ballotpedia.org/Important_dates_in_the_2024_presidential_race
Republican delegates, explained: https://ballotpedia.org/Republican_delegate_rules,_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: An in-depth look at our new tool–how it works, some of the big picture data, and why we set out to create it. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
Check out the CBA Dashboard here: https://cba.ballotpedia.org/
Learn more about CBAs: https://ballotpedia.org/Police_union_collective_bargaining_agreement
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Recall expert Josh Spivak joins Host Victoria Rose to take a look back at what turned out to be an eventful year for political recalls. Ballotpedia’s year-end recall report found that 18.31% of elected officials targeted for recalls in 2023 were removed from office–the highest percentage of successful recalls since 2018.
Joshua Spivak is Senior Research Fellow at Berkeley Law's California Constitution Center and at the Hugh L. Carey Institute at Wagner College. He is the publisher of the Recall Elections Blog and author of the 2021 book, “Recall Elections: From Alexander Hamilton to Gavin Newsom.”
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
Learn more about last year’s recalls: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_2023_Recall_Analysis
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: A quick look at the 45 members of Congress—seven members of the U.S. Senate and 38 members of the U.S. House—who have announced they will not seek re-election in 2024 (as of January 9th).
Check out an in-depth breakdown here: https://ballotpedia.org/List_of_U.S._Congress_incumbents_who_are_not_running_for_re-election_in_2024
Sign up for our Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Our host Victoria Rose sits down with Editor-in-Chief Geoff Pallay to preview what you can expect from Ballotpedia in 2024. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Sign up for our newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: In our final episode of the year, election analyst Nathaniel Rakich joins our host Victoria Rose to help us get ready for next year’s presidential election. Rakich shares some tips on understanding polling, chimes in on what the latest polling results might mean for the next few months, and explains why it’s too early for any of them to be truly predictive.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Follow Nathaniel on Twitter: https://twitter.com/baseballot
More from FiveThirtyEight: https://abcnews.go.com/538
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The fourth and final episode of ‘RCV Explained,’ our four-part series on Ranked-Choice Voting. As RCV garners more attention–and more ballot measures and bills aim to either expand, limit, or ban RCV–we’re here with everything you need to know.
In Part 4, we’re joined by Jack Santucci, who is a Lecturer of Political Science at Queens College, City University of New York. His research revolves around electoral systems and reform, proportional representation, and the many different variations of RCV. His book–More Parties or No Parties: The Politics of Electoral Reform in America–came out late last year.
Check out more of Jack’s work here: https://www.jacksantucci.com/research.php
More from BP on RCV: https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV)
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The third episode of ‘RCV Explained,’ our four-part series on Ranked-Choice Voting. As RCV garners more attention–and more ballot measures and bills aim to either expand, limit, or ban RCV–we’re here with everything you need to know.
In Part 3, StopRCV Chairman Trent England joins to make the case for repealing and stopping the spread of the voting system. He walks us through his major arguments against RCV, highlights anecdotal elections where it caused concern among some voters, and shares some ideas for alternative methods of election reform.
Learn more about the arguments against RCV here: https://stoprcv.com/
More from BP on RCV: https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV)
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The second episode of ‘RCV Explained,’ our four-part series on Ranked-Choice Voting. As RCV garners more attention–and more ballot measures and bills aim to either expand, limit, or ban RCV–we’re here with everything you need to know.
In Part 2, FairVote’s Research Director Deb Otis joins to explain the case for adopting RCV nationwide. She unpacks how RCV fared in this past November’s elections, goes over the voting system’s purported benefits, and addresses some of the most common concerns she hears from voters and policy makers.
Learn more about the arguments in favor of RCV here: https://fairvote.org/
More from BP on RCV: https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV)
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The first episode of ‘RCV Explained,’ our four-part series on Ranked-Choice Voting. As RCV garners more attention–and more ballot measures and bills aim to either expand, limit, or ban RCV–we’re here with everything you need to know.
In Part 1, Ballotpedia Staff Writer Joe Greaney joins to provide a simple definition of RCV and an overview of what the country’s current legislative landscape looks like. We recap the ballot measures we saw in 2023 and take a look ahead to what initiatives have started gaining traction for 2024.
Correction notice: In this episode, Greaney erroneously identifies approval voting as a type of ranked-choice voting. Approval voting is its own distinct type of voting system, separate from RCV. More information on approval voting can be found here :https://ballotpedia.org/Approval_voting
History of RCV Ballot Measures: https://ballotpedia.org/History_of_ranked-choice_voting_(RCV)_ballot_measures
More from BP on RCV: https://ballotpedia.org/Ranked-choice_voting_(RCV)
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Republican Strategist Patrick Ruffini joins Editor-In-Chief Geoff Pallay in conversation about how polling has changed since the introduction of digital strategies, the biggest challenges facing the industry in 2024, and the most common questions he gets about how polling works. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Follow Patrick on Twitter: https://twitter.com/patrickruffini?lang=en
Check out our previous episode on polling earlier this year, featuring an interview with Democratic Pollster Anna Greenberg: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1wH1xHOSCtABv7EwpRLTJU
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: State elections took place on November 7th in Mississippi, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Virginia. Editor-in-Chief Geoff Pallay checks in with Victoria Rose. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Our staff share some of the races and storylines they’re watching for next month, with state legislative elections set to take place in Mississippi, New Jersey, Louisiana, and Virginia. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Top 15 races to watch: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Top_15_Elections_to_Watch,_2023
Overview of this November's Elections: https://ballotpedia.org/State_legislative_elections,_2023
Learn more about your candidates: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: University of Florida professor Michael McDonald joins the show to talk about the UF Election Lab, his research on early voting, and lessons to be learned from voter turnout and participation in the 2020 election. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
UF’s Election Lab: https://election.lab.ufl.edu/
Donate to BP: https://donate.ballotpedia.org/give/523785/#!/donation/checkout
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Virginia’s School Board Elections aren’t as competitive as you might’ve heard, according to our research and reporting by the Cardinal News’ Dwayne Yancey. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out Dwayne’s reporting: https://cardinalnews.org/2023/09/19/across-virginia-most-school-board-seats-are-uncontested-especially-in-rural-localities/?fbclid=IwAR31G8C_5ZY82nbiRdXGo2a9GdM4X1a4BUJQ2ATUZ3fZASAwddUEycG0yhw
Learn more about these elections: https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_school_board_elections,_2023
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: An in-depth look at the Candidate Connection survey, a resource for voters across the country hoping to learn more about who’s appearing on their ballot. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Explore the Surveys here: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: Voters in five states will decide on 28 statewide ballot measures at the general election on November 7—the highest number of state ballot measures for an odd-numbered year since 2007. This year's ballot measures address issues like abortion, marijuana, utilities, taxes, and state constitutional rights. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
BP’s Ballot Measures Report: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_top_10_ballot_measures_to_watch,_2023
2023 Ballot Measures: https://ballotpedia.org/2023_ballot_measures
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: Alexander Russo joins staff writer Doug Kronaizl to break down The Grade’s coverage, what education journalism is doing right and what it could do better, and shares his insight on some of education’s trending issues. The Grade is a weekly column and newsletter that aims to support and encourage great writing about education and features roundups of the latest headlines, interviews with education journalists, special series about key issues and much more. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out The Grade: https://kappanonline.org/category/the-grade/
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Former Ballotpedia staffer Rob Oldham joins his old boss Cory Eucalitto on the show to chat about their time working together and Rob’s research as a PhD student at Princeton University. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out some of Rob’s work here: http://www.robertloldham.com/
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: A complete rundown of Ballotpedia’s 2023 Election Competitiveness Report, including analysis of all 578 state legislative seats that are up for election in November 2023 in Louisiana, Mississippi, New Jersey, and Virginia. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Read Ballotpedia’s State Legislative Competitiveness Report: https://ballotpedia.org/Annual_State_Legislative_Competitiveness_Report:_Vol._13,_2023
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: GQR’s Anna Greenberg sheds light on what it’s like working on campaigns, misconceptions about polling and why public confidence has declined, and the races she’s most looking forward to this Fall. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: An inside look at the 2024 edition of the Almanac of American Politics withChief-Author Rich Cohen and Ballotpedia’s Editor-in-Chief Geoff Pallay. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Read more about the Almanac: https://www.thealmanacofamericanpolitics.com/
Get 15% off your purchase of the 2024 edition with the discount code: ALM24BALLOT
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Vanderbilt Law’s Robert Mikos takes a deep dive into the last 25 years of marijuana legalization, how state and local governments have navigated an evolving legal landscape, and what the implications might be for the growing interest in psychedelic drugs. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
More on marijuana legalization: https://ballotpedia.org/Marijuana_laws_and_ballot_measures_in_the_United_States
Check out more of Robert’s work: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=272612
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: An update on our school board coverage endorsement, with an in depth look at South Dakota’s landscape. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
School board endorsements: https://ballotpedia.org/Endorsements_in_school_board_elections,_2023
Listen to our March episode on school boards here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/76QHYxrNDGHjbaF4o7qspH?si=b7bb49c01fc94ddf
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: A look ahead at the upcoming Republican presidential debates, the primaries next spring, and a breakdown of July’s campaign finance report. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
The 1st Republican primary debate: https://ballotpedia.org/Republican_presidential_primary_debate_(August_23,_2023)
July ‘23 quarterly campaign finance report: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election_campaign_finance,_2024
Important dates in the race for the white house: https://ballotpedia.org/Important_dates_in_the_2024_presidential_race
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: A look at how laws governing ballot measures have changed across the country in recent years and how direct democracy has evolved since 1960. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Read Matsusaka’s paper – Is Direct Democracy Backsliding?: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4522377
How ballot measure laws have been changing recently: https://ballotpedia.org/Analysis_of_2018-2023_changes_to_laws_governing_ballot_measures
Check out more of Matsusaka’s work here: https://www.marshall.usc.edu/personnel/john-g-matsusaka
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s Director of Research Josh Altic sits down with UCSD’s Zoltan Hajnal to chat about election timing, off-cycle elections, and voter behavior. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out more of Hajnal’s work here: https://gps.ucsd.edu/faculty-directory/zoltan-hajnal.html
On-cycle Elections: https://ballotpedia.org/On-cycle_elections
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Editor-In-Chief Geoff Pallay, Director of Communications Alison Graves, and Director of Technology Operations Matt Latourelle chat about Ballotpedia’s history and where the encyclopedia of American politics is headed. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Meet The BP Team: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Staff
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: An inside look at how our podcast is made with some of our regular guests: Doug Kronaizl, Myj Saintyl, and Joe Greaney. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Meet The BP Team: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Staff
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Everything you need to know about the August 8th vote for Ohio Issue 1, which would require a 60% vote to approve constitutional amendments, expand the signature distribution requirement for citizen-initiated amendments, and eliminate the signature cure period. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Learn more about Ohio Issue 1: https://ballotpedia.org/Ohio_Issue_1,_60%25_Vote_Requirement_to_Approve_Constitutional_Amendments_Measure_(2023)
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: All about Ballotpedia’s Fellows Program with Program Manager Sara Horton and current Fellows Elise, Averial, and Jason. Applications are now open for the Fall 2023 – apply now at the link below! Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Learn more about the Ballotpedia Fellows Program: https://ballotpedia.org/Support:Fellows
Apply Here: https://apply.workable.com/ballotpedia/j/0FE97ED000/
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Paru Shah in conversation with staff writer and guest host Doug Kronaizl about all things school boards, Wisconsin politics and more. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out more of Shah’s work here: https://parushah.com/
Follow Shah on Twitter: https://twitter.com/parushah_mke
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: A glimpse at the election-related legislation landscape for the first half of the year. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Mid-Year Election Legislation Report: https://ballotpedia.org/State_of_Election_Administration_Legislation_2023
BP’s Legislation Tracker: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/elections/home
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: The latest on the 2024 presidential race, including new candidates, fundraising and polling updates, emerging storylines, and more. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out who’s running for President as of June: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2024
Campaign Finance: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election_campaign_finance,_2024
The Democrat’s new primary calendar: https://ballotpedia.org/Changes_to_the_2024_Democratic_presidential_primary_calendar
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: Checking in on the noteworthy recalls that have occurred across the country halfway through the year. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Mid-Year Recall Report: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Mid-Year_Recall_Report_(2023)
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: We’re joined by Donald Palmer, the Commissioner of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission to discuss election integrity, new voting technology, and more. A conversation between our Editor-In-Chief Geoff Pallay Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Learn more about Palmer and the E.A.C. here: https://www.eac.gov/about/commissioner-donald-palmer
Follow Palmer on Twitter: https://twitter.com/VotingGuy
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: A conversation between our Editor-In-Chief Geoff Pallay and Elizabeth Doll, Director of the Braver Politics program with Braver Angels. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out Braver Angels work: https://braverangels.org/
Follow Elizabeth on Twitter: https://twitter.com/doll_elizabeth
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: A roundtable of Ballotpedia’s reporters discuss highlights and trends from this year's state legislative sessions as they begin to wind down. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
More about Voting Policies: https://ballotpedia.org/Voting_policies_in_the_United_States
BP’s Election Legislation Tracker: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/elections/home
2023 Ballot Measures: https://ballotpedia.org/2023_ballot_measures
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: Stanford political science professor Neil Malhotra on how the media affects polarization, the intersection of business and politics, and more. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
More about Malhotra: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/faculty/neil-malhotra
Check out Malhotra on Twitter: https://twitter.com/namalhotra
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Our first foray into the world of Artificial Intelligence with Joe Amditis, who shares his take on how A.I. might affect local news, misinformation, and our political media ecosystem. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Download Amditis’ free ChatGPT Beginner’s Prompt Handbook: https://medium.com/centerforcooperativemedia/new-chatgpt-handbook-helps-publishers-use-ai-for-local-news-7214582e454
Check out Amditis on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jsamditis
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: An inside look at the school board endorsement landscape. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: Steve Vladeck in conversation about his new book, The Shadow Docket: How the Supreme Court Uses Stealth Rulings to Amass Power and Undermine the Republic. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
BP’s SCOTUS Coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Supreme_Court_of_the_United_States
Check out Vladeck’s new book, out May 16th: https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-Docket-Supreme-Undermine-Republic/dp/1541602633
Sign Up for BP’s Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: The latest election-related legislative action and trends emerging thus far this year with staff writer Joseph Greaney. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Search for specific bills with BP’s Legislation Tracker: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/elections/home
Election legislation topics and trends: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_legislation_tracking:_list_of_sub-topics
Check out our Newsletters here: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: Victoria and Dr. Shauna Reilly take a deep dive into the topic of ballot measures. Dr. Reilly walks Victoria through some of her research on the effect that ballot readability and topics have on voter participation. They also touch on recent trends and themes emerging in the ballot measure world. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
BP’s Ballot Measure Hub: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_measure
2023 ballot measures: https://ballotpedia.org/2023_ballot_measures
Learn more about Dr. Rielly: https://inside.nku.edu/artsci/departments/pscjol/programs/politicalscience/faculty/reilly.html
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: An overview of the different types of off-cycle elections and BP election timing analysis. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Timing of State-Level Government Elections: https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/7GRxx/1/
BP’s 2022 Election Analysis Hub: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Election_Analysis_Hub,_2022
Elections Calendar: https://ballotpedia.org/Elections_calendar
Check out our Newsletters here: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: An update on the Supreme Court’s current term, how it compares to prior years, Biden’s judicial nominations, and cases on the horizon. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Cases this Term: https://ballotpedia.org/Supreme_Court_cases,_October_term_2022-2023
Robe and Gavel Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Robe_%26_Gavel
On this episode: An interview with Nathan Gonzales, Editor and Publisher of Inside Elections. Nathan and our Host, Victoria Rose, chat about Trump's Indictment, House ‘24 race ratings, and unpack recent election results. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Inside Elections: https://www.insideelections.com/
Gonzales on Twitter: https://twitter.com/nathanlgonzales?lang=en
Trump’s Indictment: https://ballotpedia.org/Indictment_of_Donald_Trump,_2023
Chicago Mayoral: https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Chicago,_Illinois_(2023)
Wisconsin Supreme Court: https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Supreme_Court_elections,_2023
How BP Rates Races: https://ballotpedia.org/Race_rating_definitions_and_methods
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: An interview with Tracy Marshall, Founder and Executive Director of Transparency USA. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Transparency USA: https://www.transparencyusa.org/
Marshall on Twitter: https://twitter.com/1tracymarshall?lang=en
State Campaign Finance Info from BP: https://ballotpedia.org/State_campaign_finance_information
About BP’s Partnership with Transparency USA: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Our_partnership_with_Transparency_USA
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: An early look at 2023’s state executive and legislative elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Trifecta’s to watch: https://ballotpedia.org/Trifecta_vulnerability_in_the_2023_elections
State executive elections: https://ballotpedia.org/State_executive_official_elections,_2023
State legislative elections: https://ballotpedia.org/State_legislative_elections,_2023
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: An interview with Kyle Kondik, Managing Editor of Sabato's Crystal Ball at UVA Center for Politics. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Sabato’s Crystal Ball: https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/
Kondik on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kkondik
‘24 Presidential Election: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_election,_2024
‘24 Congressional Election: https://ballotpedia.org/United_States_Congress_elections,_2024
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: Unpacking Chicago’s mayoral race with Politico’s Shia Kapos and Ballotpedia’s Joel Williams. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Chicago’s Mayoral Race: https://ballotpedia.org/Mayoral_election_in_Chicago,_Illinois_(2023)
Check out Shia’s on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShiaKapos?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: Presidential primary calendar updates, how this cycle compares to years prior, and the field of candidates as of March 1st. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
The Candidates as of March 1st: https://ballotpedia.org/Presidential_candidates,_2024
Important Dates in the 2024 Presidential Race: https://ballotpedia.org/Important_dates_in_the_2024_presidential_race
Changes to the Democratic Presidential Primary Calendar: https://ballotpedia.org/Changes_to_the_2024_Democratic_presidential_primary_calendar
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: Primary updates from Oklahoma’s school board elections and Wisconsin’s state Supreme Court. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Oklahoma School Board Elections 2023: https://ballotpedia.org/Oklahoma_school_board_elections,_2023
Wisconsin School Board Elections 2023: https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_school_board_elections,_2023
Wisconsin Supreme Court Primary: https://ballotpedia.org/Wisconsin_Supreme_Court_elections,_2023
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: An interview with Joshua Spivak, author of the Recall Elections Blog and Senior Fellow at the Hugh L. Carey Institute for Government Reform at Wagner College. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out Spivak’s website: https://recallelections.blogspot.com/
Ballotpedia on recall elections: https://ballotpedia.org/Recall_overview
Upcoming recalls: https://ballotpedia.org/Upcoming_recall_elections
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: Results from PA’s special House election, a preview of Chicago’s mayoral election and Wisconsin’s spring primary, judicial vacancies, and the latest from the Supreme Court. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Take our 2023 Readers Survey: https://p5o9e703t70.typeform.com/to/CMvlQTH0?utm_source=podcast
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: An interview with political analyst and activist Richard Winger. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Check out Richard’s newsletter, Ballot Access News: https://ballot-access.org/
Ballotpedia on ballot access: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_access
Ballotpedia’s Legislation Tracker: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/elections/home
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not necessarily representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
This week On The Ballot: How school board conflicts played out in the midterms. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
School Board Conflicts: https://ballotpedia.org/Conflicts_in_school_board_elections,_2021-2022
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s Editor-in-Chief Geoff Pallay in conversation with Pollster Scott Rasmussen. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Scott on Twitter: @ScottWRasmussen
This week On The Ballot: A roundup of where some election-related legislation stands in the first few weeks of the new year. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Ballotpedia's Election Administration Legislation Tracker: https://legislation.ballotpedia.org/elections/home
Weekly Brew Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Weekly_Brew:_January_6,_2022
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: An interview with journalist and political analyst Barry Casselman, featuring Ballotpedia’s Cory Eucalitto. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Barry’s Website: http://barrycasselman.blogspot.com/
Barry’s Book: North Star Rising – from ‘97, details the rise of Minnesota politicians to the national stage in the ‘90s.
This week On The Ballot: A look ahead at the special elections taking place in Mississippi and Virginia. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Donate to BP: https://ballotpedia.org/Support
Robe and Gavel Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Robe_%26_Gavel
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Follow BP on Twitter: https://twitter.com/ballotpedia
This week On The Ballot: A look back at some of the biggest political stories of the year. Our 25th episode! Available weekly on Thursday afternoons. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Donate to BP: https://ballotpedia.org/Support
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: A look ahead to the 2023’s ballot measure landscape. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
2023 Ballot Measures: https://ballotpedia.org/2023_ballot_measures
Potential 2023 Ballot Measures: https://ballotpedia.org/Potential_2023_ballot_measures
Become a Fellow with Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Support:Fellows
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: A look ahead to the elections taking place in the early stages of the new year. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Become a Fellow with Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Support:Fellows
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: The latest from the Supreme Court. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Intern with Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Internships
Robe and Gavel Newsletter:
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: Our analysis of the 2022 midterm elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Intern with Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Internships
Daily Brew Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Daily_Brew
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: Our first reactions to the 2022 midterm elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Daily Brew Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Daily_Brew
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: An interview with Amy Walter, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of the Cook Political Report. Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
The Cook Political Report: https://www.cookpolitical.com/
Amy on Twitter: @amyewalter
This week On The Ballot: Our final preview of the 2022 Midterm elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Ballotpedia’s Top 15 Races to Watch: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Top_15_elections_to_watch,_2022
Sample Ballot: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
Ballot Bulletin Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_The_Ballot_Bulletin
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
On this episode: An interview with Chaz Nuttycombe, founder and director of CNalysis, which provides analytics and insights on federal, state legislative, and local elections throughout the country. It was founded in 2020, but Chaz, who’s 23, has been forecasting elections since high school. We cover his background and the founding of CNalysis; insight on election forecasting; and state legislative elections to watch this midterm.Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
CNAnalyis Website: https://cnalysis.com/
Chaz on Twitter: @ChazNuttycombe
This week On The Ballot: Ballotpedia’s Top 15 races to watch. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Ballotpedia’s Top 15 Races to Watch: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Top_15_elections_to_watch,_2022
Donate to Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Support
Daily Brew: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Daily_Brew
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On the Ballot: A conversation about our Candidate Connection surveys, which were completed by candidates around the country at all levels of our government Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Candidate Connection Surveys: https://ballotpedia.org/Races_with_a_100%25_Candidate_Connection_completion_rate,_2022
Robe and Gavel Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Economy_and_Society
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Donate to BP: https://ballotpedia.org/Support
This week On the Ballot: A final preview of ballot measures heading into the midterm elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
‘22 Ballot Measures: https://ballotpedia.org/2022_ballot_measures
Economy and Society Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Economy_and_Society
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On The Ballot: A rundown of the latest regarding this Fall’s recall elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Sample Ballot: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
Upcoming Recall Elections: https://ballotpedia.org/Upcoming_recall_elections
June’s Mid-Year Recall Report: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Mid-Year_Recall_Report_(2022)
Robe & Gavel Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Robe_%26_Gavel
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On the Ballot: Celebrating Ballotpedia’s 15th Anniversary. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Donate to BP: https://ballotpedia.org/Support
Daily Brew Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Daily_Brew
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On the Ballot: A preview of early voting and stories from our help desk. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Early Voting: https://ballotpedia.org/Early_voting
‘22 Election Help Desk: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_2022_Election_Help_Desk
Weekly Brew: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Weekly_Brew
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On the Ballot: State legislative competitiveness and the availability of voter files.
Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
State Legislative Competitiveness: https://ballotpedia.org/Major_party_competition_in_state_legislative_elections,_2022
Availability of Voter Files: https://ballotpedia.org/Availability_of_state_voter_files
Economy and Society Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Economy_and_Society
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Job Openings:https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Job_opportunities
This week On the Ballot: An overview of Ballotpedia’s newsletters, each full of the unique insight you can only find at BP. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Sample Ballot Tool: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
This week On the Ballot: An analysis of the latest school board data, plus a preview of this Fall’s School Board elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
School District/Board Member Analysis: https://ballotpedia.org/Analysis_of_school_district_and_board_member_characteristics,_2022
School Board Elections: https://ballotpedia.org/School_board_elections,_2022
Sample Ballot Tool: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
Ballotpedia’s Weekly Brew: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Weekly_Brew
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On the Ballot: The latest primary results and a breakdown of how to use Ballotpedia’s Sample Ballot Tool to prepare for November’s elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Sample Ballot Tool: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
August 23rd Primary Results: https://ballotpedia.org/August_23,_2022,_election_results
Alaska and Wyoming Primary Results: https://ballotpedia.org/August_16,_2022,_election_results#Wyoming
Robe and Gavel Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Robe_%26_Gavel:_August_8,_2022
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On the Ballot: An analysis of margin of victories and a look at President Biden's judicial nominations. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Sample Ballot Tool: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
Margin of Victory Analysis: https://ballotpedia.org/Margin_of_victory_analysis_for_the_2020_state_legislative_elections
Biden’s Federal Judicial Nominations: https://ballotpedia.org/Federal_judges_nominated_by_Joe_Biden
Hall Pass Newsletter: https://ballotpedia.org/Hall_Pass_-_August_10,_2022
Additional Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
This week On the Ballot: Assessing the track records of incumbent politicians and reviewing August 9th’s primary elections. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
August 9, 2022, Election Results: https://ballotpedia.org/August_9,_2022,_election_results
Incumbents defeated in state legislative elections, 2022: https://ballotpedia.org/Incumbents_defeated_in_state_legislative_elections,_2022
Election Legislation Weekly Digest: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2022/08/05/election-legislation-weekly-digest-august-5-2022/
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Open Positions: https://Ballotpedia.org/jobs
On the Ballot with Ballotpedia connects people to politics. Each week, Ballotpedia's election experts will unpack the weeks' top political stories with our host, Victoria Rose. This week On the Ballot: Trifecta vulnerability across the country and abortion-related ballot measures. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
2022 Trifecta Vulnerability: https://ballotpedia.org/Trifecta_vulnerability_in_the_2022_elections
Abortion-Related Ballot Measures: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2022/06/28/2022-will-feature-the-most-abortion-related-ballot-measures-on-record-campaigns-respond-to-dobbs/
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Open Positions: https://Ballotpedia.org/jobs
On the Ballot with Ballotpedia connects people to politics. Each week, Ballotpedia's election experts will unpack the weeks' top political stories with our host, Victoria Rose. This week On the Ballot: A preview of the August primaries and the state executive races we’re watching in November. Ballotpedia's here to give you the facts, so you can form your own opinion. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
State Executive Official Elections 2022: https://ballotpedia.org/State_executive_official_elections,_2022
BP’s Sample Ballot Tool: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Internships: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Internships
On the Ballot with Ballotpedia connects people to politics. Each week, Ballotpedia's election experts will unpack the week's' top political stories with our host, Victoria Rose. This week On the Ballot: a continuation of our conversation about wave elections with the midterm elections just under four months away, and what to keep an eye on this upcoming Fall in state legislative elections. Ballotpedia's here to give you the facts, so you can form your own opinion. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
History of Wave Elections: https://ballotpedia.org/Wave_elections_(1918-2016)/Full_report
BP’s Sample Ballot Tool: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Internships: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Internships
On the Ballot with Ballotpedia connects people to politics. Each week, Ballotpedia's election experts will unpack the weeks' top political stories with our host, Victoria Rose. This week On the Ballot: a continuation of our conversation about wave elections with the midterm elections just under four months away, and what to keep an eye on this upcoming Fall in state legislative elections. Ballotpedia's here to give you the facts, so you can form your own opinion. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
History of Wave Elections: https://ballotpedia.org/Wave_elections_(1918-2016)/Full_report
BP’s Sample Ballot Tool: https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Internships: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Internships
On the Ballot with Ballotpedia connects people to politics. Each week, Ballotpedia's election experts will unpack the weeks' top political stories with our host, Victoria Rose. This week On the Ballot: An overview of the ongoing school board battles across the country, plus a deep dive into California’s signature deadline and legislative adjournment. Ballotpedia's here to give you the facts, so you can form your own opinion. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @Ballotpedia.
Newsletters: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia_Email_Updates
Job Openings: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Job_opportunities
Internships: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia:Internships
"On the Ballot"with Ballotpedia connects people to politics. Each week, Ballotpedia's election experts will unpack the weeks' top political stories with our host, Victoria Rose. This week On the Ballot: An exclusive look at Ballotpedia’s new Legislation Tracking Tool, a recap of the June 28th's primary elections across the country, and a roundup of the latest redistricting news. Ballotpedia's here to give you the facts, so you can form your own opinion. Available weekly on Thursday afternoons, stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. Questions, comments, or love for BP? Feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on Twitter @ Ballotpedia "