Year: 2025

  • 2025 had the most local ballot measures in major cities and state capitals since 2017

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    Welcome to the Friday, Dec. 12, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: 2025 had the most local ballot measures in major cities and capitals since 2017 In 2025, 322 local measures were on ballots in the 100 most populous U.S. cities and in state capitals. These…

  • Five ballot initiatives filed in California to regulate artificial intelligence and its developers

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    California voters could be the first in the nation to decide on ballot initiatives regulating artificial intelligence in 2026. Five proposed initiatives to regulate AI and its developers have been filed with the attorney general and are awaiting ballot titles before signature gathering can begin. Jim Steyer, the chief executive officer of Common Sense Media,…

  • Referendum to repeal Missouri’s new congressional map submits signatures for 2026 ballot

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    In Missouri, signatures were filed for a veto referendum against the state's new congressional districts map. On Dec. 9, the campaign People Not Politicians reported filing more than 300,000 signatures. The targeted legislation, House Bill 1 (HB 1), redraws the state's eight congressional districts. HB 1 divides Kansas City, Missouri, between three congressional districts. As…

  • Utah State Legislature repeals public sector collective bargaining ban, which was scheduled for a referendum vote in 2026

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    The Utah State Legislature voted to repeal HB 267 during a special legislative session on Dec. 9, 2025. In Utah, a pending veto referendum is automatically invalidated if the state legislature repeals the targeted legislation. As such, the referendum targeting HB 267 will not be on the 2026 Utah ballot. HB 267 would have prohibited…

  • Georgia House seat is the eighth to change partisan control in state legislative special elections this year

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    Georgia Democrat Eric Gisler won the special election for state House District 121, gaining partisan control of the seat from Republicans. According to CNN’s Ethan Cohen, President Donald Trump (R) won the district by a 12-point margin in the 2024 presidential election. Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said, “Fresh off the resounding victories in…

  • Incumbent Tim Keller defeated Darren White in the general election runoff for mayor of Albuquerque

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    Incumbent Mayor Tim Keller defeated Darren White to win the nonpartisan election for mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, in a Dec. 9, 2025, runoff. Keller earned 58.4% of the vote, and White earned 41.6% in the runoff. The two candidates advanced to the runoff after Keller earned 36.6% of the vote in the general election,…

  • Partisan control shifted 10 percentage points toward Democrats in the 2025 state legislative elections

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    As a result of the Nov. 4, 2025, elections, the partisan composition of the 180 state legislative seats up for election changed by 10 percentage points. That is compared to a one percentage point shift following the 2023 elections. Democrats had a net gain of 18 seats, representing 10% of the 180 seats, and Republicans…

  • Wyoming could become the 41st state to specify who may return another voter's ballot

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    Welcome to the Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Election results update: Albuquerque, New Mexico and Miami, Florida held runoff elections for mayor on Tuesday, Dec. 9. In Albuquerque, incumbent Tim Keller defeated Darren White 58%-42% with 100% of precincts reporting. In…

  • Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #184

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    Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving  school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy.  In today’s edition, you’ll find: Reply to this email to share reactions or story ideas! On the issues: The debate over moving some U.S. Education Department functions to the U.S.…

  • Senator proposes limits on proxy voting in federal retirement plan

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    In this week’s edition of Economy and Society: In Washington, D.C., and around the world Senator proposes limits on proxy voting in federal retirement plan What’s the story? On Nov. 25, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) proposed legislation affecting the federal Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), the retirement program for civilian federal employees and active-duty service members.…