Year: 2025

  • Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for July 2025

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    In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies from June 2, 2025, to July 1, 2025. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS New vacancies There were 49 vacancies out of 870 active Article III judicial positions, a total vacancy percentage of 5.6,…

  • Nine candidates running in August 5 primary for mayor of Seattle, Washington

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    Nine candidates are running in the Aug. 5 nonpartisan primary election for mayor of Seattle. The two candidates who receive the most votes will advance to the November 4, 2025, general election. Incumbent Bruce Harrell was first elected in 2021, when he defeated M. Lorena González 58.6%-41.2%. The last incumbent Seattle mayor to win re-election…

  • Arkansas leads in anti-ESG laws

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    In this week’s edition of Economy and Society: Around the world EU member states ask for cuts to deforestation rules What’s the story? Eighteen of the European Union’s 27 member states sent a letter July 7 asking the EU to scale back its upcoming deforestation rules, set to take effect in December. The countries argued…

  • Vermont, Ohio, North Carolina, and Oregon enact K-12 cellphone bans

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    Welcome to the Tuesday, July 8, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Vermont, Ohio, North Carolina, and Oregon enact K-12 cellphone bans  As part of our ongoing coverage of education policy, we’ve been following state legislation to ban cellphone use in K-12 schools.  Here’s the…

  • State supreme court vacancy count for June 2025

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    In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from June 1 to June 30, 2025. Ballotpedia tracks vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justice retirements: One justice stepped down from her state’s highest court in June 2025. On June 27, Beth Walker…

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

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    Robe & Gavel: Federal Judicial Vacancy Count released for July 2025 Welcome to the July 7 edition of Robe & Gavel, Ballotpedia’s newsletter about the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) and other judicial happenings around the U.S. There are days we live as if death were nowhere in the background; from joy to…

  • After 2023 veto, Arizona Legislature sends drug cartel terrorism designation law directly to voters as ballot measure

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    Welcome to the Monday, July 7, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: After 2023 veto, Arizona Legislature sends drug cartel terrorism designation law directly to voters as a ballot measure On Nov. 3, 2026, Arizona voters will decide on a ballot measure that would define drug…

  • 70% of last June’s elections were uncontested

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    Throughout June, Ballotpedia covered 900 elections in 20 states, 70% of which were uncontested. That’s up from May, when 43% of the 2,892 covered were uncontested. Ballotpedia defines an uncontested election as one where the number of candidates running is less than or equal to the number of seats up for election. This analysis does…

  • Vermont, Ohio, North Carolina, Oregon enact K-12 cellphone bans

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    What’s the story? Vermont, Ohio, North Carolina, and Oregon have all enacted statewide bans on cellphone use in K-12 schools since June 27. What’s the background? 25 states have enacted cellphone bans or limits in K-12 schools, and at least 17 states have adopted cellphone bans or limits so far in 2025. Three states require…

  • North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoes REINS-style bill increasing legislative oversight of agency regulations

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    Welcome to the Thursday, July 3, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoes REINS-style bill increasing legislative oversight of agency regulations On June 27, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) vetoed House Bill 402 (HB 402), a REINS-style bill, which would…