Category: On the Ballot
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Reconciliation, Explained (pt. 2) — What to watch as Congress negotiates Trump’s budget bill
Episode #190 Reconciliation, Explained (pt. 2) — What to watch as Congress negotiates Trump’s budget bill On this episode: Congress is once again turning to the powerful tool of budget reconciliation to try and pass major legislation — and with razor-thin majorities in both chambers, every vote counts for the Republican coalition trying to pass…
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Virginia 2025 Elections Spotlight (Part 1)
Episode #189 Virginia ‘25 Election Spotlight (Part 1) On this episode: Virginia may hold elections every year, but the 2025 contests are shaping up to be especially exciting. With races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, the state is once again a key barometer for national…
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Oregon’s role as a pioneer of direct democracy
Episode #188 Oregon’s role as a pioneer of direct democracy On this episode: Oregon’s long and lively ballot measure history takes center stage as we explore how the state became a pioneer in direct democracy. With more initiatives than nearly any other state, Oregon has tackled everything from salmon fishing rules and death penalty debates…
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An introduction to Crypto Policy with form CFTC Chairman Chris Giancarlo
Episode #187 An introduction to Crypto Policy with form CFTC Chairman Chris Giancarlo On this episode: Cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche experiment into a disruptive force with global implications—and U.S. financial institutions, lawmakers, and regulators are working to establish clear crypto-related policy. In this episode, we unpack the state of crypto policy in 2025:…
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Checking in on Trump’s judicial nominations
Episode #186 Checking in on Trump’s judicial nominations On this episode: President Trump has made his first judicial nomination since returning to office, selecting a candidate for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Most presidents make few judicial nominations in their first 100 days, and Trump’s current pace aligns with historical trends…
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From town halls to calling gas stations — What it takes to cover local elections
Episode #185 On this episode: What does it really take to track down local election information? On this episode of On the Ballot, Ballotpedia’s Thomas Grobben joins host Doug Kronaizl for a behind-the-scenes look at the quirky, persistent, and sometimes unexpected lengths our team goes to in order to gather candidate data from all corners…
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Why do some states report election results faster than others?
Why do some states report election results faster than others? (Episode #184) On this episode: States don’t all count ballots at the same speed, and the reasons why are more complicated than they might seem. In some places, unofficial election results are nearly complete by the end of Election Day. In others, it can take…
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Ohio’s Parent’s Bill of Rights + Shifting Power Between States and School Boards
On this episode (#183): Authority over public education is shifting in many parts of the country, as states revisit the role of local school boards and adopt new policies on curriculum, student rights, and parental involvement. In Ohio, a recently enacted Parents’ Bill of Rights outlines new requirements for school districts related to parental notification…
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Prop 65, the 1970’s Tax Revolt, and California’s long, influential ballot measures legacy
Prop 65, the 1970’s Tax Revolt, and California’s long, influential ballot measures legacy On this episode: The third installment of our Historical Ballot Measures Factbook series! A deep dive into the Golden State’s long and influential history with ballot measures. Former host and ballot measure expert Victoria Rose returns to help us explore how California…
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English as the Official Language: Where it already is, and the impact of Trump’s Executive Order
On this episode: In March 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States. Around the same time, Idaho lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to do the same at the state level—setting the stage for a 2026 ballot measure. But this push for English-only laws has a much…