Author: Samuel Wonacott

  • Watson defeats Israel in Austin mayoral runoff election

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    Photo of the skyline of Austin, Texas

    Kirk Watson defeated Celia Israel in the December 13, 2022, nonpartisan general runoff election for mayor of Austin, Texas. Watson received 50.4% of the vote to Israel's 49.6%. According to KUT Public Media's Audrey McGlinchy, "Tuesday's race was tight. Israel beat out Watson by just 17 votes among Travis County voters, which represent the vast…

  • An update on 153 state legislative leadership roles

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    Welcome to the Thursday, December 15, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: An update on 2022 state legislative leadership elections How 2016 and 2020 Democratic presidential contenders performed in newly proposed early primary states  Look ahead at 2023 ballot measures with On the Ballot, our weekly…

  • Welcome to the 15 Days of Ballotpedia!

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    Welcome to the Monday, December 12, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: The 15 Days of Ballotpedia! The lowest and the highest readability scores for 2017-2022 ballot measures  Texas holding Dec. 13 local runoff elections  The 15 Days of Ballotpedia! In honor of our 15th Anniversary,…

  • Ballotpedia Reports: How hot-button issues affected Nov. 8 school board elections

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    Welcome to the Thursday, December 8, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: In school board elections, conflict issues break along existing party lines, incumbents lose at higher rate Turnout in the Georgia runoffs was nearly 90% of the general election turnout Learn about next year’s elections…

  • Israel, Watson running in Dec. 13 runoff for mayor of Austin

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    Celia Israel and Kirk Watson are running in the Dec. 13 nonpartisan general runoff election for mayor of Austin, Texas. Israel and Watson, who have both served in the state legislature as Democrats, were the top two vote-getters in the Nov. 8 general election. Israel received 40% of the vote and Watson received 35% of…

  • The Daily Brew, December 2: An initiative in Nevada would let municipalities opt-out of county-based school districts

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    Welcome to the Friday, December 2, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Campaign for initiative to allow municipalities to create school districts submits signatures in Nevada Subscribe to Checks and Balances, our monthly newsletters on the separation of powers, due process, and the rule of law …

  • The most lopsided and closest ballot measures in California history

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    Welcome to the Thursday, December 1, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: The closest and widest vote margins for state ballot measures in California President Joe Biden’s approval rating at 41% at the end of November  Catch up on the U.S. Supreme Court with the latest…

  • A preview of Louisiana's Dec. 10 elections

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    Welcome to the Monday, November 28, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Here’s what is on the ballot in Louisiana’s Dec. 10 elections What Democratic control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives could mean for future constitutional amendments Subscribe to Hall Pass to learn how the…

  • A look at upcoming runoff elections (not just Georgia)

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    Welcome to the Monday, November 21, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Runoff elections happening in at least four states and a territory Twelve cities approve measures changing local election dates A preview of next year’s state legislative sessions  Runoff elections happening in at least four…

  • Three states to have veto-proof legislative majority and governor of the opposing party

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    Welcome to the Thursday, November 17, Brew.  By: Samuel Wonacott Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: In three states, one party has a veto-proof legislative majority while the governor is from the opposite party Seven new U.S. senators and 77 new U.S. representatives won election to the 118th Congress  A…