Author

Emily Aubert

Emily Aubert is a staff writer at Ballotpedia. Contact us at editor@ballotpedia.org.

22 battleground seats to determine control of the VA House

By Emily Aubert
In Newsletters
October 18, 2021 at 6:25 AM

Welcome to the Monday, October 18, Brew. 

By: Emily Aubert

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

  1. Virginia House elections feature 22 battlegrounds
  2. Upcoming special election in New Hampshire House district 
  3. More than 300 presidential documents issued in Federal Register in 2021 so far

Virginia House elections feature 22 battlegrounds

Elections for the Virginia House of Delegates are taking place on Nov. 2, 2021. Ballotpedia has identified 22 of the 100 races as battlegrounds.

Sixteen battlegrounds are elections for seats currently held by Democrats, while the other six are for Republican-held seats. Based on analysis of these districts’ electoral histories, these races have the potential to be more competitive than other races and could lead to shifts in a chamber’s partisan balance.

To determine state legislative battleground races in 2021, Ballotpedia looked for races that fit one or more of the four factors listed below:

  1. In the last state legislative election, the winner received less than 55% of the vote.
  2. The presidential candidate who won the district in 2020 is from a different party than the most recent state legislative election winner in the district, and the most recent state legislative election winner won by a margin of 10 percentage points or less.
  3. The presidential candidate who won the district in 2020 is from a different party than the most recent state legislative election winner in the district, and the incumbent is not on the ballot this year.
  4. The presidential candidate who won the district in 2020 is from a different party than the most recent state legislative election winner in the district, and that presidential candidate won the district by a margin of 20 percentage points or more.

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In 2019, Democrats won control of the chamber with a 55-45 majority. Twenty-nine races were decided by margins of 10 percentage points or less, and six of the 100 seats changed partisan control, passing from Republican to Democratic control. Republicans need to gain six seats to win control of the chamber in 2021. Democrats need to lose no more than four seats to maintain their majority.

The outcome of these races and the state’s 2021 gubernatorial election will determine Virginia’s trifecta status. Virginia became a Democratic trifecta in 2019 for the first time since 1994. If Republicans win control of the House or the governorship, they will break Democrats’ trifecta control of the state.

Keep reading 

Upcoming special election in New Hampshire House district 

Earlier this week, Jon Dunwell (R) defeated Steve Mullan (D) in the special election for Iowa House of Representatives District 29, switching the seat from Democratic to Republican control.

This was the third state legislative seat to flip party control nationwide in 2021 following a special election. If no more state legislative seats change party control in a special election this year, it would be the lowest number of such events since 2010, when no seats flipped. From 2010 to 2020, an average of 10 state legislative seats changed party control in special elections each year.

The New Hampshire House of Representatives is holding a special election on Oct. 26 for one of two seats representing the Cheshire 9 District. Andrew Maneval (D) and Rita Mattson (R) are running in the general election. The winner of the special election will serve until December 2022.

The seat became vacant after Douglas Ley (D) died from cancer on June 10. Ley had represented the district, along with fellow Democrat Richard Ames, since 2012. Ames and Ley were the top two vote-getters in 2020, receiving 29.5% and 27.5%, respectively. Mattson and Leo Plante (R) received 21.9% and 21.1%, respectively.

Heading into the special election, Republicans have a 207-188 majority in the New Hampshire House with five vacancies. New Hampshire has a Republican state government trifecta. 

As of October, 64 state legislative special elections have been scheduled for 2021 in 21 states. Between 2011 and 2020, an average of 75 special elections took place each year. New Hampshire held 29 state legislative special elections from 2011 to 2020.

Keep reading 

More than 300 presidential documents issued in Federal Register in 2021 so far

The Federal Register is a daily journal of federal government activity that includes presidential documents, proposed and final rules, and public notices. It is a common measure of an administration’s overall regulatory activity, accounting for both regulatory and deregulatory actions. We periodically update you about its status—here’s a recent report.

From October 11 through October 15, the Federal Register grew by 880 pages for a year-to-date total of 57,524 pages.  By this point in President Donald Trump’s (R) first year as president, the year-to-date total was 47,952 pages.

This week’s Federal Register featured the following 448 documents:

  1. 379 notices
  2. 12 presidential documents
  3. 27 proposed rules
  4. 30 final rules

Ballotpedia has maintained page counts and other information about the Federal Register as part of its Administrative State Project since 2017. Click below to learn more about how the Federal Register has changed from the Trump administration to the Biden administration.

Keep reading



Getting to know your candidates

By Emily Aubert
In Newsletters
October 14, 2021 at 5:57 AM

Welcome to the Thursday, October 14, Brew. 

By: Emily Aubert

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

  1. Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection: Getting to know your candidates
  2. Democrats outraise Republicans by 154% in Virginia state legislative races
  3. #ThursdayTrivia: How many minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states?

Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection: Getting to know your candidates

There is a wide range of ways that people prepare for election day. 

Voters research their ballots on their phones. Politicians receive updates from their staff. Some candidates run ads on YouTube. Others run campaigns from their kitchen tables. 

At least one thing is the same. Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection program helps all of these candidates and voters better prepare for election day. 

Candidate Connection is a unique survey available to all candidates. This survey goes beyond issue questions. It elicits thoughtful responses from candidates on what they care about and hope to achieve. This information helps voters identify the candidates that best align with their values. 

In less than an hour, any candidate can reach voters with their key messages, and any voter can learn more about all the candidates on their ballots. 

Encourage your candidates to take part in Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection today.

Learn more 

Democrats outraise Republicans by 154% in Virginia state legislative races

Campaign finance filings for Virginia state legislative races show Democrats leading Republicans in fundraising. The most recently available data is for reporting between January 1, 2020, and August 31, 2021. During that period, Democratic candidates outraised Republican candidates by 154%.

Heading into the election, 103 Democratic candidates raised $28.74 million, while 103 Republican candidates raised $11.31 million.

The top five Democratic fundraisers in the most recent reporting period were:

The top five Republican fundraisers in the most recent reporting period were:

State legislative general elections will be held on November 2, 2021. Democrats have a 21-19 majority in the Virginia State Senate and a 55-45 majority in the Virginia State House.

This information was published in partnership with Transparency USA. Click here to learn more about that partnership.

Keep reading 

Quiz: How many minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states?

In Tuesday’s Brew, we discussed what it takes to start a political party. As of November 2020, there were 47 unique, individual parties across the country with 225 state-level ballot-qualified political party affiliates nationwide. The number of ballot-qualified political parties nationwide changes as parties gain or lose qualified status.

Both the Democratic and Republican parties are recognized in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.  

How many minor parties were recognized in more than 10 states as of November 2020?

  1. Three parties
  2. Seven parties
  3. 10 parties
  4. 13 parties


78% fewer local ballot measures than average on Nov. 2 ballots in California

By Emily Aubert
In Newsletters
October 7, 2021 at 6:10 AM

Welcome to the Thursday, October 7, Brew. 

By: Emily Aubert

Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:

  1. Previewing local ballot measures on Nov. 2 ballots in California
  2. How much do you know about local elections?
  3. SCOTUS declines to hear seven public-sector union cases

Previewing local ballot measures on Nov. 2 ballots in California

On Nov. 2, voters in 15 different cities, school districts, and special districts in 10 different California counties will decide 16 local ballot measures.

Since 2009, the average number of local California ballot measures on the November ballot in odd-numbered years has been 74. There were 45 in 2019, down from 62 in 2017.

Here’s a quick rundown of the measures on the ballot:

  1. One measure concerns election dates for a school district in Los Angeles County.
  2. One measure in Woodside is a citizen initiative related to parking and gathering places in residentially zoned areas.
  3. One measure in Santa Cruz would allocate 20 percent of the revenue generated by a marijuana business tax approved by voters in 2014 to youth and early childhood development programs and services.
  4. The remaining 13 measures would approve tax increases or renewals.

Nov. 2 is the seventh local ballot measure election date in California so far in 2021. Including the 16 measures on the ballot in November, Ballotpedia has covered 43 local ballot measures in California in 2021. In 2019, there were 78. In 2017, there were 135. The average number of local measures during even-numbered years was 759 over the last three cycles. 

On Nov. 2, Ballotpedia is covering over 110 local ballot measures on the ballot in 35 states. These include local measures within the top 100 largest cities in the U.S. and all state capitals, including those outside the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia is also covering a selection of notable police-related and election-related measures outside of the top 100 largest cities. Ballotpedia has comprehensively covered ballot measures in California since 2010.

Keep reading

How much do you know about local elections?

In our briefing yesterday, staff writer Amee LaTour shared with us the themes our team has been tracking in local elections across the country.

That conversation got us thinking: How do our readers research and find information about their down-ballot elections? To that end, we’re looking for five minutes of your time to take a quick survey. How do you learn about what is on your ballot? We’d appreciate it if you took our short survey below. 

We are grateful for your time and feedback. Your input will help our ability to continue to expand and improve Ballotpedia’s election content.

Please let us know your thoughts on how you learn about your ballot!

Keep reading 

SCOTUS declines to hear seven public-sector union cases

Ballotpedia produces a weekly newsletter, Union Station, detailing activities in the public-sector union space. Last week’s issue delved into the SCOTUS landscape. In case you missed it, here’s a quick summary:

Appellants have filed petitions for writs of certiorari—requests for the Supreme Court to review a lower court’s ruling—in 15 of the public-sector union cases Ballotpedia is tracking this term. So far, the Supreme Court has declined to hear seven of these cases. 

On Sept. 27, the court held its first conference for the 2021-22 term. Often called the “long conference,” this is when the court reviews outstanding petitions filed during the previous term or during the summer. The court released the order list for cases considered during this conference on Oct. 4. Thirteen of the 15 petitions we’re tracking were distributed to the justices for this conference, and seven petitions were denied. 

The Supreme Court receives around 7,000 to 8,000 petitions every year. During its past five terms, the court has agreed to hear an average of 71 cases per term.  

Since the Supreme Court’s 2018 ruling in Janus v. AFSCME, Ballotpedia has tracked close to 150 lawsuits in federal and state courts, 33 of which have been appealed to the Supreme Court. So far, the court has not heard any of these petitions. During its 2020-2021 term, the court denied 12 petitions. During its 2019-2020 term, it declined to hear four, and during its 2018-2019 term, it declined to hear two.

Keep reading



Biden withdraws Chipman from consideration for ATF director

By Emily Aubert
In Federal
September 10, 2021 at 1:53 PM

President Joe Biden (D) announced on Sept. 9, 2021, that he was withdrawing David Chipman from consideration for director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Chipman, a former ATF agent and senior policy advisor at Giffords, had been nominated in April 2021. The Senate Judiciary Committee declined to report on Chipman’s nomination favorably after it held hearings in May.

“We knew this wouldn’t be easy – there’s only been one Senate-confirmed ATF Director in the Bureau’s history – but I have spent my entire career working to combat the scourge of gun violence, and I remain deeply committed to that work,” Biden said. He did not name a new candidate for the position.

This is Biden’s second major nominee to withdraw. Neera Tanden, Biden’s pick for director of the Office of Management and Budget, withdrew in February following bipartisan opposition to her selection. Tanden currently serves in the Biden administration as a senior advisor to the president.

Additional reading:



Vice President Harris casts eighth tie-breaking vote in NLRB confirmation vote

By Emily Aubert
In Federal
July 22, 2021 at 6:30 PM

Vice President Kamala Harris (D) cast her eighth tie-breaking vote in the Senate on Wednesday to confirm Jennifer Ann Abruzzo as general counsel of the National Labor Relations Board. The Senate voted 50-50 along party lines.

Harris previously cast tie-breaking votes related to the confirmation processes of Kiran Ahuja for director of the Office of Personnel Management and Colin Kahl for under secretary of defense for policy.

In the past four decades, vice presidents have cast a total of 40 tie-breaking votes. Vice President Mike Pence (R) cast the most during this time period with 13 tie-breaking votes.

John Adams cast the first tie-breaking vote on July 18, 1789. In total, there have been 276 tie-breaking votes from 37 vice presidents. Twelve vice presidents, including Joe Biden (D) and Dan Quayle (R), never cast a tie-breaking vote during their time in office.



Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signs legislation replacing state’s presidential caucus

By Emily Aubert
In State
June 25, 2021 at 12:12 PM

Earlier this month, Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak (D) signed a bill into law that replaces the state’s presidential caucus with a primary and seeks to make that primary the first presidential nominating event in 2024.

Sisolak said, “This brings me great pride, as the diversity and culture found in the people in the great state of Nevada undoubtedly represent the demographical composition of who we are as a nation.”

Democrats and Republicans in Nevada are not unified in the push. Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael J. McDonald said in a joint statement with Republican leaders from Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina, “As the GOP leaders of the four carve out states, we want to make clear that we stand together in protecting the Presidential nominating schedule as it has existed for many years. Our alliance is strong and we will continue to work together to preserve this historic process.”

The Democratic National Committee, which can penalize or reward states through delegate allocation based on when they hold their primaries, has not yet released its plans for the 2024 presidential calendar.

The debate over which state should cast its presidential primary votes first has centered on voter demographics, candidate viability, regional diversity, and structural issues.

After the results of the Iowa Democratic caucus were delayed for several days in 2020, Democratic leaders from Nevada and South Carolina renewed the call for a change to the primary calendar.

Click here to learn more about the arguments for replacing or maintaining Iowa and New Hampshire as the first states to vote during the presidential primary.

Additional reading



Adams leads Wiley, Garcia in first round of New York City Democratic mayoral primary

By Emily Aubert
In Local
June 23, 2021 at 1:51 PM

New York City held its Democratic and Republican primaries for mayor of New York City on June 22. It was the first time ranked-choice voting (RCV) was used for a mayoral primary in the city’s history. Final RCV tabulations are not expected until the week of July 12, due to the deadlines for voters to submit absentee ballots and fix ballot issues.

With 84% of precincts reporting, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams led 12 other Democrats with 32% support in the first round of voting. Former mayoral counsel Maya Wiley and former city sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia followed with 22% and 20%, respectively.

Curtis Sliwa defeated Fernando Mateo in the first round of the Republican primary with more than 70% of the vote.

Sliwa and the Democratic nominee will advance to the general election on November 2, 2021. Incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is not running for re-election due to term limits.



New York City primaries for mayor, city comptroller to be held on June 22

By Emily Aubert
In Local
June 21, 2021 at 12:18 PM

Primaries for the mayor and comptroller of New York City will be held on Tuesday, June 22. The winners will advance to the general election on November 2, 2021.

Thirteen Democrats and two Republicans are running in the primaries for mayor of New York City. Incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is not running for re-election due to term limits.

The primary election will feature the first use of ranked-choice voting (RCV) for a mayoral primary in the city’s history. Voters will be able to rank up to five candidates on their ballot in order of preference.

The following six Democratic candidates have received the most media attention and noteworthy endorsements:

• Eric Adams, Brooklyn borough president

• Kathryn Garcia, former New York City sanitation commissioner

• Raymond McGuire, former Wall Street executive

• Scott Stringer, New York City comptroller

• Maya Wiley, former mayoral counsel

• Andrew Yang, entrepreneur

The top issues in this race are crime, policing, affordable housing, jobs, and healthcare.

New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers founder Fernando Mateo and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa are running in the Republican primary.

De Blasio was first elected in 2013 and won re-election in 2017 with 66% of the vote. Including de Blasio, four of the previous six mayors were Democrats.

The Democratic primary for New York City comptroller is also being held on June 22. Ten candidates are running for the office, whose duties include performing audits of city agencies and managing five public pension funds. As of March 2021, the funds totaled $253 billion in assets.

The following seven candidates are leading in endorsements and fundraising:

• Brian Benjamin, state senator

• Michelle Caruso-Cabrera, former CNBC financial analyst

• Zachary Iscol, former Marine and nonprofit founder

• Corey Johnson, New York City Council speaker

• Brad Lander, New York City Council member

• Kevin Parker, state senator

• David Weprin, state assemblyman

The Republican primary was canceled, and Daby Carreras advanced as the Republican nominee for New York City comptroller.

Additional reading:



Sen. Ron Johnson temporarily suspended from YouTube for violating platform’s medical misinformation policy

By Emily Aubert
In Federal
June 17, 2021 at 12:11 PM

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) was suspended from YouTube for seven days on June 11, 2021, for promoting hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin as a treatment for COVID-19 during a virtual event hosted by the Milwaukee Press Club.

A YouTube spokesperson said in a statement, “We removed the video in accordance with our COVID-19 medical misinformation policies, which don’t allow content that encourages people to use Hydroxychloroquine or Ivermectin to treat or prevent the virus.”

Johnson responded: “Big Tech and mainstream media believe they are smarter than medical doctors who have devoted their lives to science and use their skills to save lives. They have decided there is only one medical viewpoint allowed and it is the viewpoint dictated by government agencies.”

Ballotpedia has tracked five federal and state officials suspended or banned from social media platforms while in office since 2019.



Early voting begins in NYC mayoral primary on June 12

By Emily Aubert
In Local
June 14, 2021 at 3:36 PM

Thirteen candidates are running in the Democratic primary for mayor of New York City on June 22, 2021. Early voting began on June 12.

This election features the first use of ranked-choice voting for a mayoral primary in the city’s history. Under this system, voters will be able to rank up to five candidates on their ballot in order of preference. A candidate must receive a majority of votes cast to win the election, and votes for eliminated candidates are redistributed based on the next preference on the ballot.

On June 10, five Democrats discussed gun violence, policing, legal marijuana, and historical landmarks in the final primary debate before early voting:

* Eric Adams, Brooklyn borough president

* Kathryn Garcia, former New York City Sanitation Commissioner

* Scott Stringer, New York City comptroller

* Maya Wiley, former mayoral counsel

* Andrew Yang, entrepreneur and 2020 presidential candidate

Adams led in an Emerson College poll released this week with 23% support in the first round of voting. Wiley, whose candidacy was boosted by the endorsement of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) on June 5, came in second with 17%.

Yang, Garcia, and Stringer followed with 15%, 12%, and 9% respectively. Yang received an endorsement from the Uniformed Firefighters Association last week, while Garcia was backed by Citizens Union (CU). Adams and Stringer were the second and third choices for CU.

Two candidates are running in the Republican primary: New York State Federation of Taxi Drivers founder Fernando Mateo and Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa.

Incumbent Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) is not running for re-election due to term limits. De Blasio was first elected in 2013 and won re-election in 2017 with 66% of the vote. Including de Blasio, four of the previous six mayors were Democrats.