On the Ballot

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.

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 Watch Margueritte’s most recent webinar on school budgets here: https://edunomicslab.org/2025/02/27/a-tough-budget-season-what-you-need-to-know/ 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.