On the Ballot

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 We also break down why it’s gotten so expensive to qualify a measure for the ballot, how California voters repealed English-only instruction in schools, and what to expect from upcoming measures in 2025 and beyond.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.