Year: 2021

  • Former Sen. David Perdue (Geo.) will not run for U.S. Senate in 2022

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    Former Sen. David Perdue (R), who lost to Jon Ossoff (D) in the January runoff election for Senate in Georgia, announced he will not run for the state’s other Senate seat in 2022. Raphael Warnock (D), who defeated incumbent Kelly Loeffler (R) in the special runoff election in January, currently holds the seat.  Georgia is…

  • Documenting America’s Path to Recovery: February 26, 2021

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    The next 72 hours What is changing in the next 72 hours? California (Democratic trifecta): The Department of Public Health (DPH) released a plan to allocate at least 10% of the state’s vaccine doses to teachers and school staff starting March 1. Education workers have been eligible for vaccination since January, but the DPH said…

  • Three public-sector union bills have advanced from state senates so far this year

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    Three public-sector union bills have advanced from state senates so far this year Ballotpedia is currently tracking 78 pieces of legislation dealing with public-sector employee union policy. So far, state senates have passed three of those bills. Republicans sponsored two of the bills, and Democrats sponsored one. Here’s a run-down of the three bills.  Washington…

  • Ballotpedia’s Weekly Transition Tracker: February 20-26, 2021

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    President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House staff and appointees to top government positions. In 2020, there were 1,472 government positions subject to presidential appointment: 1,118 positions required Senate confirmation and 354 did not. The new administration is…

  • Voters in Connecticut state Senate district to decide special election on March 2

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    The special general election for Connecticut State Senate District 27 is on March 2, 2021. Patricia Miller (D), Joshua Esses (R), and Brian Merlen (Independent Party) are competing in the special election. No primary election was scheduled, as candidates running for special elections in Connecticut are nominated through party conventions. The special election was called…

  • Supreme Court issues ruling in case concerning Federal Tort Claims Act

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    On February 25, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) issued an opinion in the case Brownback v. King, which concerned the judgment bar of the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA). The case originated from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and was argued before SCOTUS on November 9, 2020. In…

  • Granholm confirmed as energy secretary by 64-35 vote

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    February 26, 2021: The Senate confirmed Jennifer Granholm for secretary of energy by a vote of 64-35 on Thursday. President Joe Biden (D) and his team have been preparing for the transition between presidential administrations since the election, including selecting senior White House staff and appointees to top government positions. In 2020, there were 1,472…

  • The Daily Brew: State legislatures considering 123 proposals governing ballot measures

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    Welcome to the Friday, Feb. 26, Brew. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Here’s a look at this year’s proposed legislation regarding ballot measures Supreme Court accepts first five cases to be heard during 2021-2022 term Friday trivia: What percentage of incumbent state legislators were elected to another term last…

  • Breaking down partisanship on the New Jersey Supreme Court

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    A recent Ballotpedia study on state supreme courts revealed that of the seven justices on the New Jersey Supreme Court as of June 2020: Two justices had some level of affiliation with the Democratic party Four justices had a Republican affiliation One justice had an indeterminate partisan affiliation. In “Ballotpedia Courts: State Partisanship”, we gathered…

  • Here’s a look at this year’s proposed changes to laws governing ballot measures

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    As of February 10, 2021, Ballotpedia had tracked 122 legislative proposals concerning ballot initiatives, veto referendums, referrals, local ballot measures, and recalls in 34 states in 2021 legislative sessions. • Legislation to enact or increase existing supermajority requirements for certain ballot measures was introduced in 2021 sessions in six states: Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, North…