Category: State
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California voters approve new congressional map for use through 2030
California became the fifth state to redraw its congressional districts ahead of the 2026 elections after voters approved Proposition 50 on Nov. 4. The new map makes five districts more favorable to Democrats according to 2024 presidential results. That could lower the net gains from redistricting in Republican-led states from nine districts to four nationwide.…
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Ohio Redistricting Commission approves new congressional map in the only state required by law to redistrict before 2026
Ohio became the fourth state to redraw its congressional district boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections. On Oct. 31, 2025, the Ohio Redistricting Commission voted unanimously to approve a compromise map that, according to data from the commission based on recent statewide election results, could make two districts more competitive for Republicans. Ohio was the…
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Where New Jersey gubernatorial candidates stand on K-12 education
New Jersey is one of two states holding gubernatorial elections this November, along with Virginia. In both states, the incumbents are term-limited, and both elections made our list of the top 10 November races to watch. Here’s a look at where the candidates in New Jersey stand on issues related to K-12 education. Mikie Sherrill…
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North Carolina the third state to redraw congressional districts ahead of the 2026 elections
North Carolina became the third state to officially redraw its congressional map ahead of the 2026 elections. The new map aims to shift District 1, currently represented by U.S. Rep. Donald Davis (D), toward Republicans. That means the redraw could change the state’s representation in the U.S. House of Representatives from 10 Republicans and four…
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Record high fundraising in the Virginia House of Delegates races
Candidates for the Virginia House of Delegates raised a record $63.7 million in campaign funds by Sept. 30 this year, compared to the previous high of $59.6 million in 2021. Democratic House candidates have raised a total of $44.2 million this cycle, their most in the last two decades. Republicans have raised $19.6 million, down…
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10 states have amended their voter ID laws so far this year
Ten states have amended their voter ID laws so far in 2025. One state, West Virginia, moved from requiring non-photo identification to vote to requiring photo identification. Across the U.S., 36 states require voters to present identification to vote at the polls on Election Day. Of those states, 24 require voters to present photo identification,…
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs three bills that may affect speed of election results
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed three bills into law in the first few days of October that change the state's rules for processing and counting ballots. In some instances, these new laws may result in quicker unofficial election results. California typically takes longer to deliver election results than most other states. This is partly…
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On this date 114 years ago, California became the twelfth state to adopt the initiative and referendum process
On October 10, 1911, California became the twelfth state to establish an initiative and referendum process. On that date, California voters approved two constitutional amendments related to direct democracy. The first, Proposition 7, created the initiative and referendum process. It gave Californians the power to propose constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. The measure…
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Missouri becomes the second state to voluntarily redraw its congressional map
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed new congressional district boundaries into law on Sept. 28, 2025, making Missouri the second state to voluntarily adopt a new map before the 2026 elections. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a new map into law on Aug. 29, 2025. Together, the two redraws could create six new Republican-leaning…
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Nine states have changed their recount laws in 2025
In the 2026 midterms, some elections could be decided by thin margins. In 2024, three U.S. Senate races and six U.S. House races were decided by less than one percentage point. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the states that have been updating their recount laws this year. State recount laws differ…