Introducing a new Ballotpedia project for America’s 250th anniversary: “The Blueprints of Democracy”
Ballotpedia is marking America's 250th anniversary with a new initiative we've been building for months — and today marks our open house. We're calling it "The Blueprints of Democracy," and throughout 2026, we'll survey the structures, processes, rules, and human stories that make our civic life possible. This is the infrastructure that doesn't make headlines and rarely appears in civics textbooks — the load-bearing walls of government that hold everything up.
Along the way, we’ll share how our team of dedicated professionals and our outstanding national network of volunteers are working every day to make it easier for more people to get informed about and involved in the political process.
We're starting where government is closest to the people — local politics and elections. There are more than 500,000 local elected officials across the country, ranging from the mayors of major cities and trial court judges to those serving on school boards or special districts. But local offices are just the ground floor. As we celebrate America’s 250th year, we'll work our way across American politics, from local offices to state and federal government.
Voters in two Wisconsin cities to decide on ballot measures related to data center development
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked a host of new political debates and questions in recent years. One related topic that has become a growing political issue is the development of the data centers that power AI.
This is the case in two cities in Wisconsin: Janesville and Port Washington. Both will decide on ballot measures related to data center development later this year.
On April 7, Port Washington voters will decide on a measure that would require voter approval before the city may create, adopt, or approve a Tax Incremental District (TID) if the district has a projected base value of $10 million or more or projected project costs exceeding $10 million. The Port Washington City Council voted on Nov. 4, 2025 to create Tax Incremental District (TID) No. 5 for a proposed data center campus.
On Nov. 3, Janesville voters will decide on a ballot initiative that would require voter approval before a proposed $8 billion data center can be developed.
A look at this year's gubernatorial battlegrounds
This year, gubernatorial elections are happening in 36 states, including 18 where no incumbent is running for re-election. Currently, Democrats and Republicans each hold 18 of the gubernatorial offices up for election. We identified seven as general election battlegrounds:
- California: Incumbent Gavin Newsom (D) is term-limited. 24 candidates are running for governor.
- Iowa: Seven candidates are running for governor. Incumbent Kim Reynolds (R) is not running for re-election.
- Kansas: Nine candidates are running for governor. Incumbent Laura Kelly (D) is term-limited.
- Michigan: 14 candidates are running for governor. Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer (D) is term-limited.
- Minnesota: 15 candidates are running for governor. Incumbent Tim Walz (D) is not running for re-election.
- Nevada: Three candidates — including incumbent Joe Lombardo (R) — are running for governor.
- Wisconsin: 15 candidates are running for governor. Incumbent Tony Evers (D) is not running for re-election.