Campaigns & Elections

Wisconsin’s Outgoing Governor OKs Bills to Limit Executive Powers of His Successor

Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers criticized the legislation as ignoring "the will of the people."

  • By Laura Maggi

Wisconsin’s Outgoing Governor OKs Bills to Limit Executive Powers of His Successor

Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers criticized the legislation as ignoring "the will of the people."

  • By Laura Maggi
Campaigns & Elections

Wisconsin’s Outgoing Governor OKs Bills to Limit Executive Powers of His Successor

Democratic Gov.-elect Tony Evers criticized the legislation as ignoring "the will of the people."

  • By Laura Maggi

Wisconsin Legislators Burn the Midnight Oil on GOP’s Lame-Duck Power Grab

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Los Angeles straw rules; N.Y.C. mayor stumbles on commissioner’s botched firing … and chronic wasting disease cleanup.

  • By Michael Grass

Election Reforms in Colorado Lead to Surge of Unaffiliated Voters

Four months after the state’s open primary, unaffiliated general election voters turned out in record numbers.

  • By John Tomasic

After Midterms, Democrats Now Hold a Majority of State AG Offices

“They’ve been very aggressive, banding together across state lines to challenge a variety of policies,” one expert said about Democratic responses to the Trump administration.

  • By Laura Maggi

Arnold Schwarzenegger’s War on Gerrymandering Is Just Beginning

The former California governor helped support multiple ballot measures this year that will change how legislative districts are drawn. He already has his eye on more reforms in 2020.

  • By Edward-Isaac Dovere, The Atlantic

From Pensions to Pot, Lawmakers Outline Post-Election Priorities

“I think this is where the action is going to be,” says one expert, referring to state legislatures in the coming months.

  • By Bill Lucia

The Suburbs Are America’s Emerging Political ‘Battleground’

Midterm elections highlighted the nation’s growing urban-rural divide, according to Brookings experts.

  • By Dave Nyczepir

Washington Voters Approve Ban on Local Soda and Grocery Taxes

The initiative drew over $20 million of support from soft drink companies and others. A similar proposal in Oregon failed.

  • By Bill Lucia

This Is One of the Hardest Places to Vote in America

This Election Day, there were complaints across the country about problems with voting.

  • By Matt Vasilogambros

Despite Democratic Gains, GOP Still Dominant in State Legislatures

Republicans now hold about two dozen more state legislative chambers around the U.S. than Democrats.

  • By Bill Lucia

Mixed Results for Democrats in Battleground Governors Races

Democrats picked up seven seats, but also lost a few competitive races.

  • By Bill Lucia, Dave Nyczepir and Mitch Herckis

Michigan Voters OK Proposal to Overhaul State’s Redistricting Process

Previous GOP-led district-drawing efforts gave Republicans an advantage in congressional and state legislative races.

  • By Michael Grass

Florida Voters Restore Voting Rights to Felons

Under Amendment 4, most people convicted of a felony will have their voting rights restored once their sentences are done, including completing parole.

  • By Laura Maggi

Opponents of Strong-Mayor Vote Fear ‘Dangerous Concentration of Power’

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | Hawaii rape kit backlog successes … more cases of acute flaccid myelitis confirmed … and crowded commuter trains in Connecticut.

  • By Michael Grass

Tech Billionaires’ Obligation to the Cities Around Them

California voters are being asked to tax big corporations to solve local problems. But is that the companies’ responsibility?

  • By Alana Semuels, The Atlantic

Voters in 4 Red States Considering Medicaid Expansion Proposals

Ballot initiatives in Idaho, Montana, Nebraska and Utah are steaming toward Election Day, fueling perceptions that narratives on public-option health care have shifted.

  • By John Tomasic, Special to Route Fifty

Brian Kemp Was Warned of a Cyber Vulnerability. He Weaponized It—Again

Georgia’s secretary of state and Republican gubernatorial candidate has a history of attacking those who point out the flaws in his state’s election cybersecurity.

  • By Mitch Herckis

There’s an Easy and Effective Way to Boost Voter Participation

And this low-tech solution has been around for two decades.

  • By Michael Grass

Getting Out the Vote From the County Jail

In many states, people held without a felony conviction are eligible to vote—but confusion, fear, and a long list of logistical complications often stand in their way.

  • By Margaret Barthel, The Atlantic

It's Time To Stop Electing Judges

COMMENTARY | Many states started electing judges to reduce political influence. In 2018, states need to rethink their approach.

  • By Douglas Keith, Special to Route Fifty