Year: 2025
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Ballotpedia publishes 15th Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report
Ballotpedia’s 15th Annual State Legislative Competitiveness Report shows state legislative contests this year are less competitive than the record high in 2021 but still the second-most competitive of any odd year since 2011. In 2025, the nationwide State Legislative Competitiveness Index is 38.1, down from 40.0 in 2021 but above the average of 31.6 since…
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Incumbent Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft advance to Nov. 4 general election for mayor of Boston
Incumbent Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft defeated two other candidates in the nonpartisan primary election for mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sept. 9, 2025. On Friday, Sept. 12, Kraft withdrew from the race. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025. Wu was first elected in 2021, when she defeated Annissa Essaibi George 64%-35.6%.…
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Thirty-five members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026
Thirty-five members of the U.S. Congress—eight U.S. Senate members and 27 U.S. House members—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. Compared to previous election cycles, 35 is the most retirement announcements we have tracked at this point since 2018. Since our Aug. 18 update, six U.S. House members and one U.S. Senate member…
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South Dakota voters have decided on 366 ballot measures since statehood in 1889
Since achieving statehood in 1889, South Dakotans have voted on 366 statewide ballot measures. Voters approved 160 (43.7%) and rejected 206 (56.3%). In South Dakota, most measures are placed on the ballot by the South Dakota State Legislature or through a successful citizen initiative. The Legislature voted to refer 233 measures to the state ballot,…
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Maine became the seventh state to approve initiative and referendum 117 years ago, on September 15
Voters in Maine approved a constitutional amendment establishing the state’s initiative and referendum process 117 years ago, on September 15. The vote was 53,785 (68.7%) to 24,543 (31.3%). Maine was the seventh state to adopt the initiative and referendum, and the first state east of the Mississippi River. The constitutional amendment provided for an indirect…
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Both candidates for Edmonds, Wash., City Council complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Both candidates running for Position 3 on the Edmonds, Wash., City Council—Erika Barnett and Alex Newman—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. All survey respondents are asked to tell voters about their three key campaign messages. In Edmonds, both…
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Both candidates for Island County, Wash., Public Hospital District 1 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Both candidates running for the Island County Public Hospital District 1 on Whidbey Island, Wash., commissioner board—Kirk Gasper and Dennis Rochier—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. All survey respondents are asked to tell voters about the areas of…
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Both candidates for Lynnwood, Wash. City Council complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Both candidates running for Position 1 on the Lynnwood, Wash., City Council—Dio Boucsieguez and Derica Escamilla—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. All survey respondents are asked to tell voters about their three key campaign messages. In Lynnwood, both…
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Both candidates for Marysville, Wash., City Council complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey
Both candidates running for Position 3 on the Marysville, Wash., City Council—Amber Cantu and Dan Perkins—completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office. All survey respondents are asked to tell voters about their three key campaign messages. In Marysville, both…