ICYMI: Top stories of the week


Voting trends in the country’s richest and poorest counties

Ballotpedia reviewed voting patterns from 2016-2022 of the 50 richest and 50 poorest counties in the United States to look at how partisanship and voter participation relate to county income. Using data from the U.S. Census Bureau Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates Program’s 2021 estimates of household income, we found:

  • In the last three presidential elections, a majority of both the richest and poorest counties voted for Democratic candidates.
  • Richer counties averaged 10% higher voter turnout than poorer counties in that same time period.
  • The majority of the richest counties were in Democratic trifecta states, while the majority of the poorest counties were in Republican trifectas.

Read the full report at the link below.

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Join the Ballotpedia Society today

Throughout this week, we’ve been showcasing Ballotpedia’s outreach tools, including our 10 e-newsletters and our podcast, On the Ballot. With over three million lifetime opt-in subscribers, our e-newsletters deliver daily news updates and delve into specific policy topics, keeping millions of Americans informed and engaged. Our podcast, On the Ballot, provides accurate and engaging content to people on politics and policy. It has seen tremendous growth since its launch in 2022 and consistently ranks in the top 20% of most followed podcasts globally. 

Ballotpedia’s mission is to provide robust information to all voters. We do this by meeting the voter where they are, whether that be when surfing the web, skimming social media, or listening to a podcast. Tearing down barriers by connecting with users through various mediums allows Ballotpedia to increase its reach and influence while empowering voters to make informed decisions at the ballot box. 

We know the information we provide is essential to voters and that’s why joining the Ballotpedia Society is so important. It’s a membership program made up of our monthly donors – people just like you – who drive Ballotpedia’s growth. When you join you will receive exclusive updates from Ballotpedia, and insider access to information from our staff of experts. 

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West Virginia voters decide primaries for congressional and state offices

West Virginia held primary elections on Tuesday. Here’s what was on the ballot:

  • U.S. Senate: Three candidates ran in the Democratic Senate primary, while seven candidates ran in the Republican primary. 
  • U.S House: Ten candidates ran for West Virginia’s two U.S. House districts, including three Democrats and seven Republicans.
  • Governor: Six candidates ran in the Republican gubernatorial primary: Moore Capito (R), Kevin Christian (R), Chris Miller (R), Patrick Morrisey (R), Mitch Roberts (R), and Mac Warner (R). The Democratic primary was uncontested.
  • Other state executive offices: Primaries were held for attorney general, secretary of state, state auditor, treasurer, and agricultural commissioner.
  • State legislature: There were 49 contested state legislative primaries this year. All 100 seats are up for election in November.
  • State judicial offices: General elections for two seats on the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia and one seat on the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals.

Maryland and Nebraska also held primary elections yesterday, which were covered in earlier editions of the Daily Brew. View election results at the link below.

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