Author: Lara Bonatesta

  • Sixteen candidates running for Texas' 18th Congressional District on Nov. 4

    Posted on

    Sixteen candidates are running in the special general election for Texas' 18th Congressional District on November 4, 2025. Candidates from all parties are running in the election, and if no one wins an outright majority, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff. The winner of this election will be the fourth person to…

  • A look at state executive election competitiveness in 2025

    Posted on

    Ballotpedia's 2025 study of competitiveness in state executive official elections found that 50% of incumbents (4 incumbents across 8 seats) did not seek re-election, leaving those seats open. An average of 41.7% of state executive seats were open in odd-year elections from 2011-2023. An average of 58.3% state executive incumbents sought re-election in odd years…

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

    Posted on

    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…

  • Premium tax credits, work requirements, and rescission disputes are at the center of the government shutdown

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Thursday, Oct. 2, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Premium tax credits, work requirements, and rescission disputes are at the center of the government shutdown The federal government shut down at midnight on Oct. 1 after Congress did not pass a continuing…

  • Katie Wilson and incumbent Bruce Harrell are running in Nov. 4 general election for mayor of Seattle

    Posted on

    Incumbent Bruce Harrell and Katie Wilson are running in the November 4 general election for mayor of Seattle. In the Aug. 5 primary, Wilson defeated Harrell 48.1% to 43.6%. Following the primary, KOMO News political analyst and CEO of Strategies 360 Ron Dotzauer said he "believes the race will remain competitive, with messaging on cost…

  • Missouri voters to decide on 2026 measure to create a first-of-its-kind citizen initiative supermajority requirement

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Thursday, Sept. 17, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Missouri voters to decide on 2026 measure to create a first-of-its-kind citizen initiative supermajority requirement In 2026, Missouri voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would create a new type of supermajority…

  • Incumbent Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft advance to Nov. 4 general election for mayor of Boston

    Posted on

    Incumbent Michelle Wu and Josh Kraft defeated two other candidates in the nonpartisan primary election for mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, on Sept. 9, 2025. On Friday, Sept. 12, Kraft withdrew from the race. The general election is scheduled for Nov. 4, 2025. Wu was first elected in 2021, when she defeated Annissa Essaibi George 64%-35.6%.…

  • Why party control of U.S. House seats and national vote totals don’t always align

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Why party control of U.S. House seats and national vote totals don’t always align As states implement or consider new congressional district boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections, debates over how votes translate…

  • We spoke to school board members nationwide about their roles—here's what they told us

    Posted on

    Welcome to the Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: We spoke to school board members nationwide about their roles—here's what they told us A version of this story appeared in Ballotpedia’s Hall Pass newsletter on September 3. Click here to sign up. …

  • Four candidates running in Sept. 9 nonpartisan primary for mayor of Boston

    Posted on

    Four candidates are running in the nonpartisan primary election for mayor of Boston, Massachusetts, on September 9, 2025. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election on November 4, 2025. Incumbent Michelle Wu was first elected in 2021, when she defeated Annissa Essaibi George 64%-35.6%. It has been 76 years since an incumbent…