On the Ballot

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.