Year: 2025

  • A comprehensive look at 115 years of ballot measures in Ohio

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Thursday, March 6, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: A comprehensive look at 115 years of ballot measures in Ohio  Ballotpedia’s Historical Ballot Measure Factbook will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will…

  • Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #146

    Posted on

    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 Indiana’s House Bill 1136 In this section, we curate…

  • South Dakota voters to decide on constitutional amendment to condition Medicaid expansion on continued federal funding in Nov. 2026

    Posted on

    In South Dakota, voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to condition state Medicaid expansion on federal funding remaining at or above 90%. Voters will decide on the amendment in the election on Nov. 3, 2026. If federal funding falls below 90%, the constitutional requirement for Medicaid expansion would no longer apply. Voters adopted this…

  • 30 states have adopted English as an official language—11 through ballot measures—since 1920

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Wednesday, March 5, Brew.  By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: 30 states have adopted English as an official language—11 through ballot measures—since 1920 On March 1, President Donald Trump (R) issued an executive order “[designating] English as the official language of the United States.”…

  • Washington voters have decided on 510 ballot measures since statehood in 1889

    Posted on

    Since Washington became the 42nd state in 1889, voters have decided on 510 ballot measures. The state adopted a process for citizen initiatives and referendums in 1912. Of the 510 measures, 268 measures were approved (52.5%), and 242 measures were defeated (47.5%). Washington provides initiated state statutes, including indirect initiated state statutes, and veto referendums.…

  • Ten candidates are running for mayor of Oakland on April 15

    Posted on

    Ten candidates are running in the April 15 nonpartisan, special general election for mayor of Oakland. Incumbent Kevin Jenkins is not running. The Oakland City Council selected Jenkins to serve as interim mayor after voters recalled former mayor Sheng Thao 60.6%-39.4% on Nov. 5, 2024. Click here to learn more about the recall. This was…

  • President Donald Trump (R) has issued most executive orders of any 21st century president

    Posted on

    Across his first and second term, President Donald Trump (R) has issued 301 executive orders. This is more than any other president in the 21st century. Looking at his second term in office, the number of executive orders Trump has issued following his swearing-in (81) is higher than Obama, Bush, Biden, and Trump’s first term…

  • Democratic state officials advocate for ESG

    Posted on

    In this week’s edition of Economy and Society: In the states Democratic state officials advocate for ESG What’s the story? State elected officials signaled their willingness to fight for ESG in pension and retirement plans during a state pension webinar on Feb. 25, 2025.  Why does it matter? During the Biden presidency, Republican state officials…

  • Trump to deliver first address of second term to joint session of Congress

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Tuesday, March 4, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Trump to deliver first address of second term to joint session of Congress  President Donald Trump (R) is scheduled to give his first address to a joint session of Congress of his second term…

  • State supreme court vacancy count for February 2025

    Posted on

    In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from February 1 to February 28, 2025. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: Two chief justices announced their intentions to retire later this year. Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice…