Year: 2025

  • Democrats and Republicans make up over two-thirds of registered voters in the U.S.

    Posted on

    Thirty states, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia offer public information on the registered voters within these states and territories. Voter registration is the process by which a voter can become eligible to vote in a state or territory. Forty-nine states allow it, with the exception of North Dakota. Among the information…

  • Three U.S. senators have announced gubernatorial bids in 2026

    Posted on

    On August 6, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced her bid for governor of Tennessee. Blackburn’s entrance in the race makes her the third sitting U.S. senator, along with Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), to announce bids for governor. The number of senators running for governor in 2026 is the highest since 2010, when…

  • UBS quits NZBA

    Posted on

    Dear Readers, we’re moving Economy & Society from Tuesdays to Wednesdays starting next week—giving us more time to capture what’s shaping the week. In this week’s edition of Economy and Society: Around the world European Banking Authority asks regulators to pause ESG enforcement What’s the story? The European Banking Authority issued a no action letter…

  • North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoes bill opting into federal private school choice program

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Tuesday, Aug. 12, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoes bill opting into federal private school choice program On Aug. 6, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) vetoed House Bill 87 (HB 87), which would have opted the…

  • Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for August 2025

    Posted on

    In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies from July 2, 2025, to August 1, 2025. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS New vacancies There were 47 vacancies out of 870 active Article III judicial positions, a total vacancy percentage of 5.4,…

  • Robe & Gavel: Federal Judicial Vacancy Count released for August 2025

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Aug. 11 edition of Robe & Gavel, Ballotpedia’s newsletter about the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) and other judicial happenings around the U.S. My Garden—like the Beach— Denotes there be—a Sea— That’s Summer— Such as These—the Pearls She fetches—such as Me -Emily Dickinson My Garden—like the Beach We’re back, dear…

  • Michigan state Senate seat vacant for 200+ days, compared to the 115-day 14-year average

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Michigan state Senate seat vacant for 200+ days, compared to the 115-day 14-year average State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D), the 35th District’s senator, resigned on Jan. 3, 2025, after she was elected…

  • New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte signs bills requiring new documentation for absentee voting

    Posted on

    New Hampshire Gov. Kelly Ayotte (R) signed Republican-sponsored bills expanding voter ID and proof of citizenship requirements for absentee voting on Aug. 1, 2025. Both laws take effect on Sept. 30, 2025. SB 287 requires voters requesting an absentee ballot to include a photocopy of a valid photo identification or a notarized signature with the absentee…

  • Massachusetts voters have decided on 231 ballot measures since 1910

    Posted on

    Ballotpedia completed an inventory of all Massachusetts ballot measures dating back to 1910. Massachusetts voters have voted on 231 ballot measures between 1910 and 2024. Of those, 161 (70%) were approved and 70 (30%) were defeated. In Massachusetts, citizens have the power to indirectly initiate state statutes, veto referendums, and constitutional amendments. While a direct…

  • Twenty-two states enacted K-12 cellphone bans so far in 2025

    Posted on

    Twenty-six (26) states have laws or policies requiring local school boards to ban or limit cellphone use in K-12 classrooms. Twenty-two (22) of these laws were enacted in 2025, with the most recent put in place in Oregon through an executive order. Three additional states require K-12 public school districts to adopt policies around student…