On this episode: In this two-part episode, we examine what the November 4th elections tell us about voter turnout, shifts within key states, and how voters are engaging ahead of 2026.
In the first half, AP data reporter Maya Sweedler walks through notable patterns in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City — including precinct-level movement, demographic trends, and how the Associated Press visualizes election results using population-focused mapping. She highlights where turnout was unusually high, how different communities participated, and which long-term trends held or broke in 2025.
In the second half, Vote.org CEO Andrea Haley discusses what her organization observed from millions of users during this cycle. She details increased interest in ballot information tools, usage patterns among younger voters, and broader factors that may explain why participation rose in several states. She also outlines the questions Vote.org is tracking as the 2026 midterms approach.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Supreme Court is considering a major separation-of-powers case that could redefine the limits of presidential authority during national emergencies, and help define what exactly constitutes a national emergency. Learning Resources v. Trump challenges President Trump’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping tariffs on nearly every U.S. trading partner — tariffs justified largely by declaring a series of national emergencies.
At issue is whether the law gives the president the power to impose tariffs without explicit congressional approval, and how far courts can go in reviewing those emergency declarations. Elizabeth ‘Liza’ Goitein, senior director of the Brennan Center’s Liberty and National Security Program, explains the oral arguments made on November 5th, how their eventual decision could affect Trump’s signature policy and future presidents, and what the ruling might mean for the balance of power between Congress and the Executive Branch.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Axios reporter Hans Nichols joins the show to unpack how the Senate advanced a plan to end the government shutdown over the weekend and where things go from here, as several hurdles remain between now and the government actually reopening. Nichols discusses what happens next with SNAP benefits and Affordable Care Act tax credits, how both parties are looking at where things stand, and how the Senate deal may impact January’s next funding deadline. Plus – how cost-of-living concerns could shape the fight over spending and set the stage for the 2026 midterms.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Political analyst Miles Coleman from the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics and Sabato’s Crystal Ball breaks down the results of this November’s elections, from Virginia and New Jersey to major ballot measures across the country. He explains why polling missed the mark in some races, what surprised him most about the results, and how redistricting in California and Virginia could reshape congressional control heading into 2026. The conversation also explores trends around affordability, voter turnout, and what these outcomes reveal about the shifting strengths and challenges for both parties going into the Midterms.
Explore nationwide results: https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2025
Check out Sabato’s analysis: https://centerforpolitics.org/crystalball/dem-wave-hits-virginia-new-jersey-and-elsewhere-a-dozen-house-ratings-shift-in-california-following-approval-of-new-dem-map/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins the show to reflect on the November elections and what the results could reveal about voter engagement across the country. She discusses Ballotpedia’s coverage of major races and ballot measures in Virginia, New Jersey, California, and Texas, and how the team is preparing for a busy 2026 cycle. From local contests to national trends, Graves explains how Ballotpedia is expanding its election coverage and helping voters access clear, reliable information about every race on their ballots.
Read Leslie’s Column: https://ballotpedia.org/From_the_desk_of_Leslie_Graves
Check out our complete office hours series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMO2t_0SXnYhwMv6HHgIoL75
Are you running for office, or struggling to find information for a candidate? Send them our Candidate Connection Survey or take it yourself: https://ballotpedia.org/Ballotpedia%27s_Candidate_Connection
Looking to get involved? Learn more about volunteer opportunities with Ballotpedia here: https://ballotpedia.org/Support:Volunteer
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: From governor’s mansions to city halls, the 2025 elections feature races of all kinds with local and national implications – both for their states and trends heading into the 2026 Midterms. Ballotpedia’s Ellen Morrissey, Doug Kronizel, and Joel Williams join Host Norm Leahy to break down ten key contests that will shape the political landscape heading into 2026.
Explore our full top 10 list, with breakdowns of each election, who’s running, the broader context of each race, and the major storylines surrounding them.
Our Top Elections to Watch Include:
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Voters in five states will decide on 24 statewide ballot measures this November, shaping major debates over redistricting, voting laws, taxes and more. Ballotpedia’s ballot measures team boils down the slate of measures each year to come up with a list of the ten most significant and consider a broad range of factors: From fundraising records or measures that challenge an existing policy area to their history and whether a measure is novel or part of a broader trend. Ryan Byrne is joined by his colleagues Victoria Rose, Nicole Fisher, and Alexis Thacker for this special episode walking you through each of this year’s top 10 measures. .
Explore our full top 10 list, with breakdowns of each ballot measure, what it is intended to do, the arguments for and against, and the major storylines and interesting context surrounding them.
Our Top 10 List Includes:
California Proposition 50: Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment
Maine Question 1: Require Voter Photo ID and Change Absentee Ballot / Drop-Box Rules Initiative
Maine Question 2: Extreme Risk Protection Orders to Restrict Firearms and Weapons Access Initiative
Colorado Propositions LL and MM: Funding for Healthy School Meals for All Program Measures
Texas Proposition 3: Denial of Bail for Certain Violent or Sexual Offenses Amendment
Texas Propositions 2, 6, and 8: Prohibit Certain Taxes Amendments
New York City Question 6: Move City Elections to Even-Numbered Years Charter Amendment
New York City Questions 2, 3, and 4: Expedited Housing and Land Use Review Charter Amendments
Check out our series on Historical Ballot Measures, featuring in-depth explorations of 9 states and counting.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Voters in Virginia are heading into one of the most eventful election years in recent memory. The state will choose a new governor, attorney general, and lieutenant governor while all 100 seats in the House of Delegates are on the ballot. But the races are unfolding alongside an unexpected twist – a rapidly developing Democratic proposal to redraw Virginia’s congressional districts before the 2026 midterms.
The Virginia Scope’s Brandon Jarvis joins the show first to break down the fast-moving redistricting effort, what it could mean for the state’s politics, and how it’s affecting the governor’s race between Rep. Abigail Spanberger and Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. He also shares what his reporting on the ground is telling him about the key issues driving the race and the tight contests for attorney general and control of the House of Delegates.In the second half of the show, Ballotpedia’s Lara Bonatesta explains the mechanics of voting in the Commonwealth, from early voting and voter ID requirements to the battleground districts that could decide which party controls the legislature.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Voters in the Garden State head to the polls this Fall to decide some of the tightest and most interesting races in the country, choosing a new governor, all 80 members of the General Assembly, special elections, and more. NJ.com’s Brent Johnson joins the show first to break down the gubernatorial race between Rep. Mikie Sherrill and former Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli, exploring voter enthusiasm, turnout challenges, campaign spending, and the key issues shaping the contest — from taxes and the economy to the role of President Donald Trump.Then Ballotpedia’s Briana Ryan walks through what voters will see on their ballots, early voting trends, and how recent changes to New Jersey’s ballot design could influence results.
Follow along with our coverage: https://ballotpedia.org/New_Jersey_elections,_2025
Check out Brent’s reporting: https://www.nj.com/staff/bdjohnson/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Since becoming a state in 1907, Oklahoma has placed more than 450 ballot measures before voters — a mix of constitutional amendments, citizen initiatives, and veto referendums that reflect over a century of evolving politics. Geoff Pallay returns to host the most recent episode of our Historical Ballot Measure Series with the help of Victoria Rose from Ballotpedia’s ballot measures team.
Oklahoma’s long history is filled with interesting and nationally significant measures, with landmark votes such as the early failed effort to grant women’s suffrage in 1910, the state’s history with gambling and right-to-work laws, and the 1992 amendment requiring voter approval for revenue-raising bills. In more recent decades, the state tackled big debates like Medicaid expansion, its split decisions on marijuana legalization, minimum wage hikes, and more.
Explore Oklahoma’s Factbook here: https://ballotpedia.org/Oklahoma_Ballot_Measures:_Historical_Ballot_Measures_Factbook
Listen to our Historical Ballot Measure Series: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtP8LWIl9mMNHPEjGV4G235vMd8bOR1_4
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s communications team takes over On the Ballot to kick off National Voter Education Week with guest Zoë Williamson-Crettini from the Students Learn Students Vote Coalition. Zoë joins Abby Campbell and Carley Allensworth to discuss how this national, nonpartisan initiative helps bridge the gap between being registered to vote and actually casting a ballot. They explore how SLSV equips voters with trusted, easy-to-use information, tackles misinformation and low awareness in local elections, and builds lifelong voting confidence. With nearly 600 partner organizations participating across 46 states, this year’s celebration shows that every week — and every election — is an opportunity to strengthen democracy.
Learn more about National Voter Education Week: https://slsvcoalition.org/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Several states are moving to redraw their congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms, reviving a practice that has happened before but rarely on this scale. Texas has already acted, with Republicans pushing through a new map that could net them multiple House seats. In response, Democrats in California are advancing a ballot measure that would suspend the state’s independent commission and open the door to a more favorable map of their own. As a result, nearly a dozen states are engaged in redistricting efforts of their own, with huge implications not just for the balance of power in the House — but the Americans who live in the districts in question.
To break down what’s happening and why it matters, Erin Covey — Editor of U.S. House coverage at the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter — explains the political strategies at play and the legal uncertainties that surround them. She walks through the domino effect of Texas’s decision, how California, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah fit into the bigger picture, and why deadlines in other states are quickly closing in.
At the same time, a looming Supreme Court case from Louisiana could reshape the legal boundaries for redistricting nationwide.The case revisits Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and carries major implications for how states consider race when drawing districts — with potential ripple effects across the South and beyond.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s work often highlights high-profile elections, but behind the scenes, our staff and volunteers are tackling an even bigger challenge: Gathering reliable information on the country’s half a million local elected officials. CEO and founder Leslie Graves joins On the Ballot for her monthly ‘Office Hours’ series to explain what “robust information” means in this context and why building it is such a complex and important task.
Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: The Supreme Court’s 2025 term opens with a docket that could reshape trade, elections, civil rights, and executive power. Among the major cases: challenges to Trump-era tariffs that test the scope of presidential authority over economic policy, a Voting Rights Act dispute from Louisiana involving claims of racial gerrymandering, and a Title IX case on whether transgender students can participate in school sports. The justices will also confront questions about capital punishment and intellectual disability, the independence of federal agencies like the FTC and Federal Reserve, and the growing influence of the Court’s emergency docket.
Zachary Shemtob, executive editor of SCOTUSblog, helps break down the key cases to watch, the broader trends shaping the Court’s work, and how this term’s decisions could have lasting consequences for law, politics, and governance in the United States.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Alaska’s history with ballot measures stretches back before statehood and has produced some of the country’s most distinctive political experiments. In 1956, voters approved the “Tennessee Plan,” electing shadow representatives to lobby for statehood. In the 1970s, Alaskans twice approved relocating their capital out of Juneau—only to reject billion-dollar funding proposals that kept the government in place. And the Alaska Permanent Fund, established by voters in 1976, grew into an $80 billion investment fund that continues to pay annual dividends to residents.
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On this episode: Senate Republicans pushed through a major change to how presidential nominees are confirmed, lowering the threshold to a simple majority and allowing many nominees to be approved in large groups rather than one by one. The change applies to more than 1,200 positions across the federal government, including ambassadors, U.S. attorneys, and military appointments. Supporters argue it will speed up confirmations and prevent backlogs that can stall an administration’s agenda. Critics warn it weakens Senate oversight, sidelines the minority party, and chips away at institutional norms designed to protect bipartisan cooperation.Roll Call reporter Ryan Tarinelli joins host Norman Leahy to explain what exactly changed, why Republicans chose this moment to act, how the move fits into a decade of similar Senate rule fights, and what it might mean for the future balance of power in Congress.
There have been three other uses of the nuclear option in recent years, all of which affected how the confirmation process works in the Senate. In 2013, Senate Democrats used it to change the threshold to invoke cloture on non-Supreme Court nominations from 60 votes to 50 votes. The two other recent uses of the nuclear option occurred during Trump’s first administration. In 2017, Senate Republicans expanded Reid’s rule change from 2013 to include Supreme Court nominations. In 2019, Senate Republicans used the process to reduce the length of post-cloture debate on nominations from 30 hours to 2 hours.
Read Tarinelli’s reporting: https://rollcall.com/2025/09/11/gop-changes-senate-rules-to-speed-some-confirmations/
Follow our coverage: https://news.ballotpedia.org/2025/09/12/senate-republicans-invoke-nuclear-option-to-change-nomination-rules/
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Congress faces another high-stakes deadline as the fiscal year draws to a close, and divisions over how to fund the government are coming to a head. Senate and House leaders are weighing their options as Democrats insist on health care provisions and other amendments, Republicans navigate internal disagreements, and President Trump’s influence continues to shape the standoff.
Burgess Everett, Congressional Bureau Chief for Semafor, joins the conversation to explain the shifting power dynamics between the House and Senate, how past shutdowns provide context for the current standoff, and what role party leaders like Mike Johnson and Chuck Schumer play in navigating these negotiations. The discussion explores the practical challenges of passing a continuing resolution, the vibes in Congress following Charlie Kirk’s assassination, the political risks of a shutdown, and how the outcome could influence both parties heading into the next election cycle.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: CA voters will decide this fall whether to approve Proposition 50, a ballot measure that would amend the state’s constitution to temporarily suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission and replace its maps with new, partisan-drawn districts. Supporters, led by Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic allies, argue the change is needed to counter mid-decade redistricting efforts in states like Texas and Florida. Opponents — including Republicans, good governance groups, and even former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger — say the measure undermines reforms voters approved more than a decade ago. Maya C. Miller of CalMatters joins the show to explain how Prop 50 made it onto the ballot, what the campaigns for and against are emphasizing, and what polling suggests about its chances this November.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Congress has returned from its summer recess, but the break has done little to ease the challenges on their plate. At the top of the agenda is a fast-approaching deadline to fund the government, with debates inside the Republican caucus shaping what kind of proposal might move forward. Democrats face their own set of pressures, balancing calls from within the party’s base for a tougher stance with concerns about being seen as responsible for a potential shutdown. These crosscurrents come at a moment when long-serving members like New York Democrat Jerry Nadler are beginning to step aside, raising broader questions about generational change and how leadership roles may shift in the coming years.
Beyond the funding debate, lawmakers are also navigating how best to explain sweeping legislation to voters back home, a task complicated by the sheer size and scope of recent bills. Discussions around security funding for Washington, D.C., add another layer of complexity, as members weigh policy details alongside political considerations. And then, of course, there’s the ongoing public pressure for greater transparency in the Epstein saga.
Together, these issues illustrate the crowded landscape on Capitol Hill and the many factors shaping the work of Congress this fall. POLITICO congressional reporter Nicholas Wu joins the show to help shed light on the hectic month ahead.
Check out some of our guest’s work: https://www.politico.com/staff/nicholas-wu
Learn more about the latest in Congress: https://ballotpedia.org/119th_United_States_Congress
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.
On this episode: Ballotpedia CEO and founder Leslie Graves joins host Norm Leahy to share insights from a yearlong “virtual listening tour” with 100 school board members across 33 states. The conversations revealed struggles that rarely make headlines, including the challenges boards face in accessing reliable data on student achievement, how political tension bleeds into their work, the difficulty of moving past conflict, and the reality that most members are volunteers trying to balance limited time with big responsibilities. The story of these local officials underscores how much of American democracy happens far from the spotlight, and why understanding their struggles matters for anyone trying to make sense of our schools and politics.
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Stream "On the Ballot" on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have questions, comments, or love for BP, feel free to reach out at ontheballot@ballotpedia.org or on X (formerly Twitter) @Ballotpedia.
*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.