On the Ballot

On this episode: Political analyst Miles Coleman from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics and Sabato’s Crystal Ball breaks down the results of this November’s elections, from Virginia and New Jersey to major ballot measures across the country. He explains why polling missed the mark in some races, what surprised him most about the results, and how redistricting in California and Virginia could reshape congressional control heading into 2026. The conversation also explores trends around affordability, voter turnout, and what these outcomes reveal about the shifting strengths and challenges for both parties going into the Midterms. Explore nationwide results: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2025 Check out Sabato’s analysis: https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/dem-wave-hits-virginia-new-jersey-and-elsewhere-a-dozen-house-ratings-shift-in-california-following-approval-of-new-dem-map/ 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: Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins the show to reflect on the November elections and what the results could reveal about voter engagement across the country. She discusses Ballotpedia’s coverage of major races and ballot measures in Virginia, New Jersey, California, and Texas, and how the team is preparing for a busy 2026 cycle. From local contests to national trends, Graves explains how Ballotpedia is expanding its election coverage and helping voters access clear, reliable information about every race on their ballots.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 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 governor’s mansions to city halls, the 2025 elections feature races of all kinds with local and national implications – both for their states and trends heading into the 2026 Midterms. Ballotpedia’s Ellen Morrissey, Doug Kronizel, and Joel Williams join Host Norm Leahy to break down ten key contests that will shape the political landscape heading into 2026.Explore our full top 10 list, with breakdowns of each election, who’s running, the broader context of each race, and the major storylines surrounding them.  Our Top Elections to Watch Include:Governor of VirginiaGovernor of New JerseyTexas' 18th Congressional DistrictVirginia House of DelegatesPennsylvania Supreme CourtAttorney General of VirginiaGeorgia Public Service CommissionMayor of Minneapolis, MinnesotaMayor of New York, New YorkMayor of Seattle, WashingtonComplete 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: Voters in five states will decide on 24 statewide ballot measures this November, shaping major debates over redistricting, voting laws, taxes and more. Ballotpedia’s ballot measures team boils down the slate of measures each year to come up with a list of the ten most significant and consider a broad range of factors: From fundraising records or measures that challenge an existing policy area to their history and whether a measure is novel or part of a broader trend. Ryan Byrne is joined by his colleagues Victoria Rose, Nicole Fisher, and Alexis Thacker for this special episode walking you through each of this year’s top 10 measures. . Explore our full top 10 list, with breakdowns of each ballot measure, what it is intended to do, the arguments for and against, and the major storylines and interesting context surrounding them.  Our Top 10 List Includes:California Proposition 50: Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map AmendmentMaine Question 1: Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot / Drop-Box Rules InitiativeMaine Question 2: Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and Weapons Access InitiativeColorado Propositions LL and MM: Funding for Healthy School Meals for All Program MeasuresTexas Proposition 3: Denial of Bail for Certain Violent or Sexual Offenses Amendment Texas Proposition 15: Parental Rights AmendmentTexas Propositions 2, 6, and 8: Prohibit Certain Taxes AmendmentsNew York City Question 6: Move City Elections to Even-Numbered Years Charter AmendmentNew York City Questions 2, 3, and 4: Expedited Housing and Land Use Review Charter AmendmentsCheck out our series on Historical Ballot Measures, featuring in-depth explorations of 9 states and counting.  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: Voters in Virginia are heading into one of the most eventful election years in recent memory. The state will choose a new governor, attorney general, and lieutenant governor while all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are on the ballot. But the races are unfolding alongside an unexpected twist – a rapidly developing Democratic proposal to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts before the 2026 midterms.The Virginia Scope’s Brandon Jarvis joins the show first to break down the fast-moving redistricting effort, what it could mean for the state’s politics, and how it’s affecting the governor’s race between Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. He also shares what his reporting on the ground is telling him about the key issues driving the race and the tight contests for attorney general and control of the House of Delegates.In the second half of the show, Ballotpedia’s Lara Bonatesta explains the mechanics of voting in the Commonwealth, from early voting and voter ID requirements to the battleground districts that could decide which party controls the legislature. Follow along with our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/Virginia_elections,_2025 Read Brandon’s reporting: https://www.virginiascope.com/ 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: Voters in the Garden State head to the polls this Fall to decide some of the tightest and most interesting races in the country, choosing a new governor, all 80 members of the General Assembly, special elections, and more. NJ.com’s Brent Johnson joins the show first to break down the gubernatorial race between Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, exploring voter enthusiasm, turnout challenges, campaign spending, and the key issues shaping the contest — from taxes and the economy to the role of President Donald Trump.Then Ballotpedia’s Briana Ryan walks through what voters will see on their ballots, early voting trends, and how recent changes to New Jersey’s ballot design could influence results. Follow along with our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/New_Jersey_elections,_2025Check out Brent’s reporting: https://www.nj.com/staff/bdjohnson/ 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: Since becoming a state in 1907, Oklahoma has placed more than 450 ballot measures before voters — a mix of constitutional amendments, citizen initiatives, and veto referendums that reflect over a century of evolving politics. Geoff Pallay returns to host the most recent episode of our Historical Ballot Measure Series with the help of Victoria Rose from Ballotpedia’s ballot measures team. Oklahoma’s long history is filled with interesting and nationally significant measures, with landmark votes such as the early failed effort to grant women’s suffrage in 1910, the state’s history with gambling and right-to-work laws, and the 1992 amendment requiring voter approval for revenue-raising bills. In more recent decades, the state tackled big debates like Medicaid expansion, its split decisions on marijuana legalization, minimum wage hikes, and more. Explore Oklahoma’s Factbook here: https://ballotpedia.org/Oklahoma_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook Listen to 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: 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/ 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: 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_electionsComplete 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: 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 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.