Podcasts about Ballotpedia

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 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: 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 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: 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 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: 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 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.

In this first episode in the President Trump's First 100 Days mini series, Kate and Ben discuss what executive orders President Trump signed in the first 100 days of his second term.Research/Resources:White House Executive Orders. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-orders/. 20252025 Donald J. Trump Executive Orders. National Archives. https://www.federalregister.gov/presidential-documents/executive-orders/donald-trump/2025. 2025Donald Trump's executive orders and actions, 2025. Published in Ballotpedia website and available on https://ballotpedia.org/Donald_Trump%27s_executive_orders_and_actions,_2025“A running list of Trump's planned executive orders, actions, proclamations and legislation” by Lisa Kashinsky and Ben Johansen. Published in Politico website January 21, 2025 and available on https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/21/trump-executive-orders-actions-proclamations-legislation-00199725“Tracking Trump's executive orders: What he's signed so far” by Avery Lotz. Published in Axios website January 28, 2025 and available on https://www.axios.com/2025/01/21/president-donald-trump-executive-orders-list “Executive Order 14168”. Published in Wikipedia last edited May 25, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Executive_Order_14168“Liberation Day tariffs”. Published in Wikipedia last edited May 31, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Day_tariffs“National Emergency Concerning the Southern Border of the United States”. Published in Wikipedia last edited April 22, 2025 and available on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Emergency_Concerning_the_Southern_Border_of_the_United_States “So far Congress has stayed out of Trump's way, but pressure tests lie ahead” by Susan Davis. Published in NPR website April 30, 2025 and available on https://www.npr.org/2025/04/30/g-s1-63360/first-100-days-congress-acquiesces-to-trump-but-pressure-tests-ahead "Marines and Soldiers Discharged for Refusing the COVID-19 Vaccine Show Limited Interest in Rejoining" by Lolita C. Baldor. Published in Military.com website March 5, 2025 and available on https://www.military.com/daily-news/2025/03/05/marines-and-soldiers-discharged-refusing-covid-19-vaccine-show-limited-interest-rejoining.html Check out our website at http://artofdiscussing.buzzsprout.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and on Instagram @artofdiscussing.Got a topic that you'd like to see discussed? Interested in being a guest on our show? Just want to reach out to share an opinion, experience, or resource? Leave us a comment below or contact us at info@artofdiscussing.com!! We'd love to hear from you! Keep Discussing!Music found on Pixabay. Song name: "Clear Your Mind" by Caffeine Creek Band"

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/ 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: 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 What Margueritte's most recent webinar on school budgets here: https://edunomicslab.org/2025/02/27/a-tough-budget-season-what-you-need-to-know/ 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: 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_stateThis 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: 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 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: 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 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 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 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: 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 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: 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_5/1/2025Subscribe 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,_2025This 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_summarySign 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_2018Stream "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.

Diese Folge ist das vollständige Interview mit Sabrina Bousbar im englischsprachigen Original. Die Politikerin der Demokraten und Aktivistin aus Florida hat uns erzählt, welche Entscheidungen Trumps vor Ort ankommen, wie für ihre Partei der Weg nach vorne ausschauen könnte – und vor allem verrät sie uns, wieso sie die Hoffnung und den Kampf nicht aufgibt.    Übersetzte Auszüge aus dem Gespräch gibt es in unserer regulären Folge „Krawall in Washington – Hoffnung in Florida“.   Sabrina Bousbar bei Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Sabrina_Bousbar   Und ihre Campaign-Webseite: https://sabrinaforflorida.com/    Bastians Doku mit ihr als Protagonistin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lGpql1aFiw&t=3s   Fragen, Wünsche, Anregungen? Her damit: beiburgerundbier@gmail.com

Bei Burger und Bier gibt es diese Woche eine Doppel-, beinahe eine Triple-Folge. In dieser Episode sprechen wir über den historischen Besuch von Wolodymyr Selenskyj im Weißen Haus und die Eskalation durch Donald Trump und seine Regierung. Resigniert fragen wir uns: Hätte das anders laufen können, hätte der ukrainische Präsident das geschickter navigieren können?    Besser wird die Stimmung im zweiten Teil dieser Episode. Da sprechen wir mit Sabrina Bousbar, einer Politikerin der Demokraten und Aktivistin aus Florida. Sie hat uns erzählt, welche Entscheidungen Trumps vor Ort ankommen, wie für ihre Partei der Weg nach vorne ausschauen könnte – und vor allem verrät sie uns, wieso sie die Hoffnung und den Kampf nicht aufgibt.   Sabrina Bousbar bei Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Sabrina_Bousbar   Und ihre Campaign-Webseite: https://sabrinaforflorida.com/    Bastians Doku mit ihr als Protagonistin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lGpql1aFiw&t=3s   Als dritten Teil der Folge koppeln wir das vollständige Interview mit Sabrina separat im englischsprachigen Original aus – das kommt als Einzelfolge in eure Feeds.   Fragen, Wünsche, Anregungen? Her damit: beiburgerundbier@gmail.com

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.  Learn more about the initiative process: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballot_initiative  See which states do, and don't, currently have the tool at their disposal: https://ballotpedia.org/States_with_initiative_or_referendum 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.

Ben and Kate discuss the 2024 election results for the president, senate, house and ballot measures along with statistics and trends that were seen through the exit polling data.Research/Resources: “Fox News Voter Analysis: How Trump regained the White House” by Fox News Polling Unit. Published in Fox News website November 6, 2024 and available https://www.foxnews.com/politics/fox-news-voter-analysis-how-trump-regained-white-houseCBS News. (n.d). Breaking down key demographic groups in 2024 Presidential election [CBS News website]. Retrieved November 6, 2024 from https://www.cbsnews.com/video/breaking-down-key-demographic-groups-decide-2024-election/“How 5 key demographic groups voted in 2024: AP VoteCast” by Linley Sanders. Published in AP News website November 7, 2024  and available https://apnews.com/article/election-harris-trump-women-latinos-black-voters-0f3fbda3362f3dcfe41aa6b858f22d12 “Decision 2024: Ballot Measures” by NBC News. Published in NBC News website November 5, 2024  and available https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-elections/ballot-measures“Anatomy of three Trump elections: How American shifted in 2024 vs. 2020 and 2016” by Zachary B Wolf, Curt Merrill and Way Mullery. Published in CNN Politices website November 6, 2024 and available https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2024/politics/2020-2016-exit-polls-2024-dg/“2024 ballot measures”. Published on Ballotpedia and available on https://ballotpedia.org/2024_ballot_measuresCheck out our website at http://artofdiscussing.buzzsprout.com, on Facebook at Art of Discussing and on Instagram @artofdiscussing.Got a topic that you'd like to see discussed? Interested in being a guest on our show? Just want to reach out to share an opinion, experience, or resource? Leave us a comment below or contact us at info@artofdiscussing.com!! We'd love to hear from you! Keep Discussing!Music found on Pixabay. Song name: "Clear Your Mind" by Caffeine Creek Band"

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

We get the view on the 2024 election from two veteran strategists. First, pollster and communications specialist Frank Luntz talks with us about why he thinks Vice President Kamala Harris has lost momentum. Then, famed Democratic political consultant James Carville tells us why he is certain Harris will win the presidential race. And, on election day, voters in 41 states will vote on more than 140 ballot measures. Ballotpedia's Ryan Byrne joins us to talk about the trends.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Plus ~ Is it Democrat or Democratic? You'll hear a lot of both this week – We explain! ~~~~~ ✓ 0:00: Rare super blue moon  ✓ 4:00: The Democratic National Convention  ✓ 6:00: On our radar around the world     ✓ 7:00: Ukraine on the offensive  ✓ 8:00: The Middle East, including ceasefire talks and expected protests at the DNC  ✓ 12:00: July 2024 Border Numbers show declines - with a caveat.   ✓ 17:00: What's in a name? “Chicago.”    ✓ 21:00: What does “blue wall” mean?  ✓ 23:00: An editorial quandry at SmartHER News ... heavy-hitting speakers at the DNC.    ✓ 27:00: Soundbites from two political operatives on two different sides of the political spectrum: David Axelrod and Kellyanne Conway.     ✓ 30:00: Is it Democrat or Democratic? ✓ 32:00: We revisit Elon Musk's interview with fmr. President Trump. We share a quick snippet and explain why.      ✓ 34:00: Is hope the secret ingredient to a winning campaign? Send us your thoughts!       SHOW NOTES    Political Resources Jenna likes ... Ballotpedia and PolitiFact     Rare Super Blue Moon Peaks Today (SmartHER News)    July Border Numbers Released, Shows Decline in Encounters (SmartHER News)    Pod Save America (language warning)    Elon Musk's interview with fmr. President Trump      SUPPORT OUR MISSION     If you'd like to help support SmartHER News' mission of a free, independent, nonpartisan press – here's how you can become a SCOOP insider: https://www.scoop.smarthernews.com/get-the-inside-scoop/     Instagram: Instagram.com/SmartHERNews   Website: SmartHERNews.com   YouTube Channel: YouTube.com/SmartHERNews