ICYMI: Top stories of the week


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Abortion-related statewide ballot measures: the most in 36 years

Currently, voters in Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, and Vermont are slated to decide at least four ballot measures addressing abortion—the most since 1986. If proponents of an abortion-related initiative in Michigan collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot, 2022 will be the year with the most abortion-related measures on record.

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Republicans outraise Democrats by 92% in Texas state legislative races

Since the 2020 campaign cycle, Ballotpedia has partnered with Transparency USA to provide campaign finance information for state-level elections in 10 states, including Texas. Between July 1, 2021, and Dec. 31, 2021, 282 Republican candidates raised $22.0 million compared to the $8.0 million 197 Democratic candidates raised.

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Five governors—all in states with divided governments—have vetoed at least one redistricting map this cycle

During the current redistricting cycle, five governors—all in states with divided governments—have vetoed at least one redistricting map. Legislators overrode these vetoes in three states—Kansas, Kentucky, and Maryland—and mapmaking authority passed to the courts in the remaining two—Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.

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Five states adopt redistricting maps

Here’s a quick summary of where redistricting stands:

  • 34 states have finished redistricting, pending legal challenges 
  • 9 states need to complete one map, including states apportioned one congressional district so only legislative redistricting is required
  • 5 states need to complete both congressional and legislative redistricting
  • 2 states have had one or both redistricting plans overturned by their state supreme court

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