Campaigns & Elections

The Tumultuous Life of an Independent Redistricting Commissioner

The independent chairwoman of Arizona's citizen-led redistricting commission became the target of intense organized opposition from tea party-inspired residents and Republican lawmakers to her leadership and the new maps she supported.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros, Stateline

The Tumultuous Life of an Independent Redistricting Commissioner

The independent chairwoman of Arizona's citizen-led redistricting commission became the target of intense organized opposition from tea party-inspired residents and Republican lawmakers to her leadership and the new maps she supported.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros, Stateline
Campaigns & Elections

The Tumultuous Life of an Independent Redistricting Commissioner

The independent chairwoman of Arizona's citizen-led redistricting commission became the target of intense organized opposition from tea party-inspired residents and Republican lawmakers to her leadership and the new maps she supported.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros, Stateline

The Way America Votes Is Broken. In One Rural County, a Nonprofit Showed a Way Forward.

In Mississippi last week, a seamless performance by a new set of voting machines took place amid widespread anxiety about election integrity.

  • By Jessica Huseman, ProPublica

Voting in Local Elections Matters. This Is What Cities Can Do.

COMMENTARY | Cities need to work at encouraging voter turnout for local elections. Even small increases in participation can transform the political landscape.

  • By Brooks Rainwater and Olivia Snarski, CityLab

Off-Year Elections Test Democrats’ Strength in the South

Three governorships and control of a critical statehouse are up for grabs.

  • By Elaine S. Povich, Stateline

The Mississippi Governor’s Race Is Taking Place Under Jim Crow-Era Rules

COMMENTARY | Mississippi is facing its first close gubernatorial election since 1999.

  • By Gideon Cohn-Postar, The Conversation

Women Still Underrepresented in Elected Office at All Levels of Government, Report Says

Despite record numbers of women serving in Congress, women remain a minority at the local, state and federal levels of government, according to data released this week.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

The Messy Politics of Voter Purges

Striking teachers and support staff pose for a group shot

  • By Matt Vasilogambros, Stateline

Seeking Attention For City Priorities From 2020 Presidential Candidates

A group of local officials is developing a platform of issues they want to see discussed during the race.

  • By Bill Lucia

Amazon Is Spending an Unprecedented Amount on City Council Races

In Seattle, Amazon has spent over a million dollars trying to get pro-business candidates elected to the city council.

  • By Emma Coleman

What Would Federal Preclearance Mean for State Abortion Laws?

Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris proposes requiring states that have a history of restricting abortion to submit new laws for federal approval before they can go into effect.

  • By Emma Coleman

‘It’s Time to Overhaul the System’: Why Socialists Are Taking Aim at City Councils

Across the country, members of the Democratic Socialists of America have been elected to city councils running on platforms that reject capitalism and promote working class interests.

  • By Emma Coleman

More States and Cities Getting Interested in Ranked Choice Voting

Proponents say ranked choice voting could lessen polarization and make third party options more viable.

  • By Emma Coleman

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How the Iowa Caucus Disenfranchises Voters

Democrats want to make voting more inclusive. In Iowa, they’re struggling.

  • By Elaine Godfrey, The Atlantic

States Try to Stop Political Deepfake Videos

State lawmakers are increasingly focused on deceptively edited videos, a pervasive technology that advocates say has the potential to disrupt elections. But are bans constitutional?

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

Southern States Have Shuttered 1,200 Polling Places Since 2013

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | States brace for Trump clean-water-regulation rollback … Michigan teacher pay stagnates … Alaska’s summer of warning-bell warming.

  • By John Tomasic

Appeals Court Overturns State Restrictions on Political Robocalls

Montana’s attorney general is reviewing the decision to see if an appeal is possible, or if lawmakers will need to take action.

  • By Bill Lucia

For Voters, Does Climate…Actually Even Matter?

Bernie Sanders released a massive plan for a Green New Deal this week. What’s the point of all these climate plans?

  • By Robinson Meyer, The Atlantic

The First Drag Queen Elected to Local Office Is Making a Run for Congress

Maebe A. Girl, the self-described “larger-than-life” candidate, is challenging one of the current stars of the Democratic party.

  • By Emma Coleman

Georgia Can Use Current Voting System for 2019 Elections, Judge Rules

But the state will need to put a backup system in place for the 2020 presidential primaries in case new voting machines are not ready by March.

  • By Laura Maggi

Voter Access Matters in 2020, and These Lawmakers Know It

Republicans tightened laws in a few key states. Democrats, meanwhile, opened access.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros

Ready or Not, Blockchain-Based Mobile Voting Is Getting Closer

Some voters in Provo and other Utah County cities will be able to cast ballots on a blockchain-powered mobile app in a pilot program for the August election.

  • By Sarah Holder, CityLab