Year: 2025

  • In 215 races, both candidates share the same last name

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    In 215 contests across 15 states, 438 candidates running for office this year share the same last name. Every single one of these contests is for a local election. Of these contests, all but one are nonpartisan elections. One contest, District 20 of the New York City Council, was a partisan contest where Allen Wang…

  • Sponsors paid an average of 70 cents per required signature to put initiatives on the ballot this year — the lowest of any odd-year since at least 2013

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    Welcome to the Monday, Oct. 20, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Sponsors paid an average of 70 cents per required signature to put initiatives on the ballot this year — the lowest of any odd-year since at least 2013 Citizen initiatives are unique in…

  • 10 states have amended their voter ID laws so far this year

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    Ten states have amended their voter ID laws so far in 2025. One state, West Virginia, moved from requiring non-photo identification to vote to requiring photo identification.  Across the U.S., 36 states require voters to present identification to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of those states, 24 require voters to present photo identification,…

  • U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether candidates can sue over election law

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    On Oct. 8, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections, a case over whether a candidate, U.S. Rep. Michael Bost (R), has the legal standing to challenge an Illinois law allowing mail-in ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted up to 14 days after Election Day. …

  • Colin Allred (D), James Talarico (D), and three other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas

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    Colin Allred (D), James Talarico (D), and three other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Texas on March 3, 2026. As of October 2025, Allred and Talarico led the candidate field in polling, fundraising, and media attention. The filing deadline is December 8, 2025. Axios’ Stephen Neukam described the primary…

  • Federal government shutdown now tied for third-longest in U.S. history

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    On Oct. 16, the federal government shutdown became tied for the third-longest shutdown in U.S. history. At 16 full days long, it is tied with the 2013 government shutdown over an attempt to alter the Affordable Care Act (ACA). If the shutdown lasts through Oct. 22, it will become the second-longest shutdown, and if it…

  • ICYMI: Top stories of the week

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    Ballotpedia's Top 10 elections to watch this Nov. 4 With less than three weeks to go until Election Night, our staff is busy preparing to cover more than 10,000 elections across the country. Out of all those races, our team has selected 10 of the most important, compelling, and competitive elections to watch. We selected…

  • The Ballot Bulletin: Ballotpedia's Weekly Digest on Election Administration, October 17, 2025

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    Welcome to The Ballot Bulletin: Ballotpedia’s Weekly Digest on Election Administration. Every Friday, we deliver the latest updates on election policy around the country, including nationwide trends and recent legislative activity.  In this week’s Ballot Bulletin, we cover 20 bills state legislatures acted on in the past week. Weekly highlights The big takeaways from the…

  • This year's recall success rate is 10%—below the 15-year average

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    Welcome to the Friday, Oct. 17, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: This year's recall success rate is 10%—below the 15-year average As of Oct. 10, voters have removed 32 of the 306 elected officials named in recall efforts this year. That's a success rate of…

  • A look at elections for downballot state offices in 2025

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    In the 2025 elections, while much attention is focused on the top statewide offices, such as governor or attorney general, these are not the only statewide offices up for election in 2025. Other states will be holding elections for various statewide offices, including those for state supreme court and public service commission. Here is a…