Year: 2025

  • California voters will decide on a ballot measure to allow public financing of campaigns in Nov. 2026

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: California voters will decide on a ballot measure to allow public financing of campaigns in Nov. 2026 On Oct. 2, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed Senate Bill 42 (SB 42) to put…

  • Under proposed supermajority rule, every Missouri ballot initiative since 2020 would have failed

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    In 2026, Missouri voters will decide on a constitutional amendment, Amendment 4, to require voter approval of citizen-initiated constitutional amendments in each congressional district, rather than statewide. Amendment 4 was introduced by State Rep. Ed Lewis (R-6). It passed the House by 98–58 and passed the Senate by 21–11. In addition to the new supermajority…

  • Adelita Grijalva awaits swearing-in 14 days after election to U.S. House— here's how that compares to other special election winners

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    Welcome to the Tuesday, Oct. 7, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Adelita Grijalva awaits swearing-in 14 days after election to U.S. House— here's how that compares to other special election winners On Oct. 3, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) announced that the U.S.…

  • Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for October 2025

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    In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies from Sept. 2 through Oct. 1. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS New vacancies There were 51 vacancies out of 870 active Article III judicial positions, a total vacancy percentage of 5.9, which is…

  • President Trump has appointed eight federal judges through Oct. 1 of the first year of his second term

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    President Donald Trump (R) has appointed, and the Senate has confirmed, eight Article III federal judges through Oct. 1, the first year of his second term in office. This is the fewest Article III judicial appointments through this point in any president's second term since President Bill Clinton (D). The average number of federal judges…

  • Robe & Gavel: SCOTUS begins 2025-2026 term

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    Welcome to the Oct. 6 edition of Robe & Gavel, Ballotpedia’s newsletter about the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) and other judicial happenings around the U.S. Dear reader, it’s the day we’ve all been waiting for: the first day of the October 2025-2026 SCOTUS term! Thank you for choosing Ballotpedia as your source…

  • Nine states have changed their recount laws in 2025

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    Welcome to the Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Nine states have changed their recount laws in 2025  In the 2026 midterms, some elections could be decided by thin margins. In 2024, three U.S. Senate races and six U.S. House races were…

  • Rep. David Schweikert becomes the 10th Republican U.S. House member to announce a gubernatorial bid for 2026

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    U.S. Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) announced on Sept. 30, 2025, that he will run for governor of Arizona in 2026 rather than for another term in the House of Representatives. As of Sept. 30, independent race forecasters The Cook Political Report, Sabato’s Crystal Ball, and Inside Elections have rated the 2026 general election for the…

  • Missouri becomes the second state to voluntarily redraw its congressional map

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    Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed new congressional district boundaries into law on Sept. 28, 2025, making Missouri the second state to voluntarily adopt a new map before the 2026 elections. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a new map into law on Aug. 29, 2025. Together, the two redraws could create six new Republican-leaning…

  • Nine states have changed their recount laws in 2025

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    In the 2026 midterms, some elections could be decided by thin margins. In 2024, three U.S. Senate races and six U.S. House races were decided by less than one percentage point. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the states that have been updating their recount laws this year. State recount laws differ…