Author: Samuel Wonacott

  • Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #48

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    Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving school board politics and governance. In today’s edition, you’ll find: On the issues: The debate over teaching gun safety in schools   School board filing deadlines, election results, and recall certifications An early look at some 2024 education-related ballot measures we’re…

  • 322 election-related bills introduced in state legislatures last week

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, February 8, Brew.  Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: 322 election-related bills introduced in state legislatures Comparing presidential Article III federal judicial nominations since 2001 Biden gives State of the Union address, Arkansas Gov. Sanders gives Republican response 322 election-related bills introduced in state legislatures  Election…

  • 6,087 candidates responded to Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey last year

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    Welcome to the Monday, February 6, Brew.  Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: 6,087 candidates responded to Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey last year An update on elected officials banned from major online platforms Voters in Burlington, Vermont, to decide on ballot measures related to policing, ranked-choice voting, noncitizen voting, and…

  • Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #47

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    Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving school board politics and governance. In today’s edition, you’ll find: On the issues:  The debate over Florida’s decision to ban an AP African American studies course School board filing deadlines, election results, and recall certifications 240 school districts have boards…

  • 30 governors have given 2023 State of the State addresses

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    Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Thirty governors have given their State of the State addresses so far  Pennsylvania House adjourns, package of constitutional amendments won't appear on the May ballot  Subscribe to Hall Pass to stay up to date on school board politics and education policy  Have a minute…

  • An early look at certified 2024 measures

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    Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: California and New York certify measures for 2024 related to fast-food working conditions, Equal Protection Clause Tallying error in Oakland, Calif., led to inaccurate election results  275 election-related bills introduced in state legislatures last week California and New York certify measures for 2024 related…

  • Five measures certified (so far) in three states for the 2023 ballot

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    Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Five measures certified in three states for the 2023 ballot   Willie Wilson leads Chicago mayoral candidates in fundraising while Mayor Lori Lightfoot leads in spending Learn how school board elections played out in the 2022 midterms with On the Ballot, our weekly podcast Five…

  • Wisconsin voters to decide three ballot measure questions on April 4

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    Welcome to the Monday, January 23, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Wisconsin Legislature puts three ballot questions on the April ballot Over the last week, 236 election-related bills were introduced in state legislatures   An update on last week’s additions to the Federal Register Wisconsin Legislature…

  • Recapping 2022’s state legislative special sessions

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    Welcome to the Wednesday, January 18, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: A look back at 2022 state legislative special sessions Two veto referendum campaigns and California executive departments disagree on when referendums suspend fast food workers and oil and gas laws Subscribe to Hall Pass…

  • Changes in initiative signature requirements following 2022 election

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    Welcome to the Tuesday, January 17, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Signatures required for ballot initiatives decreased by 7.34% on average following the 2022 election The average margin of victory was higher in the U.S. Senate and U.S. House than in 2020  Over the last…