Welcome to the Wednesday, November 23, Brew.
By: David Luchs
We’ll be taking tomorrow and Friday off for the Thanksgiving holiday; the Brew will resume Monday, Nov. 28. Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- Tracking state legislative elections in pivot counties
- A look at Ballotpedia’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes
- Going to see a high school relative? Tell them about our Fellows Program!
Tracking state legislative elections in pivot counties
In the 2022 elections, Pivot Counties overlapped 822 state legislative seats (242 state senate seats and 580 state house seats). This accounted for 13.1% of the 6,278 seats up for election.
Maine had the most such state legislative districts, with 93 state legislative districts that overlapped Pivot Counties (11.3% of all overlapping districts). Maine was followed by New Hampshire with 75 overlapping districts (9.1%), then Michigan with 60 (7.3%). As of Nov. 21, and with 55 uncalled races, Democrats won 250 of those seats, and Republicans won 515.
Pivot Counties are the 206 counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections and for Donald Trump (R) in the 2016 presidential election. Reverse-Pivot Counties are the six counties that voted for John McCain (R) in 2008, Mitt Romney (R) in 2012, and Hillary Clinton (D) in 2016.
In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won 181 Pivot Counties, and Joe Biden (D) won 25 Pivot Counties.
Following the 2020 elections, 507 Republican legislators represented districts overlapping a Pivot County, and 290 Democratic legislators represented districts overlapping a Pivot County.
Reverse-Pivot Counties overlapped 104 state legislative seats (32 state senate seats and 72 state house seats). As of Nov. 21, with six uncalled races, Democrats won 60 of those seats, and Republicans won 38.
Following the 2020 elections, 58 Democratic legislators represented districts overlapping a Reverse-Pivot County, and 37 Republican legislators represented districts overlapping a Reverse-Pivot County.
A look at Ballotpedia’s favorite Thanksgiving dishes
Thanksgiving is tomorrow! While the political calendar never stops, all of us at Ballotpedia are looking forward to spending some time with family and friends. Last week, we shared what Thanksgiving dishes we’re looking forward to the most. I asked around at Ballotpedia and here’s a sampling of the meals we are most-looking forward to.
- “Consider this my annual plug for the best stuffing recipe in the history of the world and Ina Garten’s twice baked sweet potatoes, a staple at our table.”
- “The last two years my wife and I have just done Thanksgiving for ourselves. She’s not a steak-eater so my meat this year is gonna be a nice ribeye
. It’s unconventional but doing turkey for two people is just not practical.”
- “I think I’m an even bigger fan of Thanksgiving leftovers than I am of the actual dinner
. I’m sure you’re all familiar with the famous Thanksgiving leftover sandwich. Recipes vary, but my goal is always to stuff as much of the leftovers as I can into a series of dinner rolls.
- “For at least the last 5 years, I’ve taken over turkey duty for our family Thanksgiving. I really enjoy the act of making the turkey and the big reveal when it comes out of the oven and looks so good, but I’m not a big fan of actually eating turkey. I’d much rather fill my plate up with sides.
My Grandmother’s dressing was always my favorite dish on the family table. When I asked for her recipe, she said ‘oh, it’s the recipe from the Pepperidge Farm dressing mix.’ My cousins, sister, and I were devastated to learn this wasn’t some secret recipe! - “Very much looking forward to stuffing, green bean casserole, homemade noodles…really just all the things.
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From all of us at Ballotpedia, we hope you have a happy Thanksgiving and safe travels! Our regular coverage will resume Monday, Nov. 28.
Going to see a high school relative? Tell them about our Fellows Program!
Will you be seeing a relative in high school or college this week? Tell them about Ballotpedia’s Fellows Program!
The Fellows Program provides high school and college students interested in politics with a service opportunity that helps develop subject matter expertise in political research and analysis. Fellows who complete our program of 5-10 hours of work per week are eligible for a nationally-recognized service honor.
Applications for the Spring 2023 Ballotpedia Fellows class are now open! Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis between now and Dec. 22, 2022.