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The encyclopedia of American politics
The encyclopedia of American politics
On Dec. 19, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed SB 293, which requires absentee ballots to be received by the close of polls on Election Day, except for military or overseas ballots. This change makes Ohio the 35th state to require ballots to be received by Election Day.
December 23, 2025 at 3:17 PM
On Dec. 19, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed SB 293, which requires absentee ballots to be received by the close of polls on Election Day, except for military or overseas ballots. This change makes Ohio the 35th state to require ballots to be received by Election Day.
This year, we tracked 4,969 election-related bills and resolutions — surpassing the total number of bills in any year since we started tracking election legislation in 2022.
Lawmakers passed 627 new election laws in 2025, more than in 2024 (440) but fewer than in 2023 (723).
Lawmakers passed 627 new election laws in 2025, more than in 2024 (440) but fewer than in 2023 (723).
December 17, 2025 at 9:35 PM
This year, we tracked 4,969 election-related bills and resolutions — surpassing the total number of bills in any year since we started tracking election legislation in 2022.
Lawmakers passed 627 new election laws in 2025, more than in 2024 (440) but fewer than in 2023 (723).
Lawmakers passed 627 new election laws in 2025, more than in 2024 (440) but fewer than in 2023 (723).
As the year comes to a close, the 2026 election season is well underway. Over the last couple of months, the earliest 2026 candidate filing deadlines have passed in Illinois (Nov. 3), Arkansas (Nov. 12), and Texas (Dec. 8).
December 12, 2025 at 8:56 PM
As the year comes to a close, the 2026 election season is well underway. Over the last couple of months, the earliest 2026 candidate filing deadlines have passed in Illinois (Nov. 3), Arkansas (Nov. 12), and Texas (Dec. 8).
Happy Giving Tuesday! Today, your gift to Ballotpedia will be matched up to $25k. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our team works hard to provide unbiased information on thousands of elections. Your support ensures every voter can make informed choices.
December 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Happy Giving Tuesday! Today, your gift to Ballotpedia will be matched up to $25k. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our team works hard to provide unbiased information on thousands of elections. Your support ensures every voter can make informed choices.
This Giving Tuesday, your gift to Ballotpedia will be matched up to $25k! Millions of voters rely on Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Survey, Sample Ballot Lookup, & candidate research to make informed decisions. Donate to ensure voters navigate every ballot with confidence.
December 1, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This Giving Tuesday, your gift to Ballotpedia will be matched up to $25k! Millions of voters rely on Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Survey, Sample Ballot Lookup, & candidate research to make informed decisions. Donate to ensure voters navigate every ballot with confidence.
To our wonderful community of fact-finders and political science enthusiasts: we are so thankful to you. All of us at Ballotpedia wish you a bright, peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.
November 27, 2025 at 4:15 PM
To our wonderful community of fact-finders and political science enthusiasts: we are so thankful to you. All of us at Ballotpedia wish you a bright, peaceful Thanksgiving holiday.
Forty-five members of Congress—37 representatives and eight senators—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. That’s the most retirement announcements at this point in an election cycle since 2018.
November 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Forty-five members of Congress—37 representatives and eight senators—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. That’s the most retirement announcements at this point in an election cycle since 2018.
On 11/4, voters in Greenbelt, MD, passed a non-binding referendum in favor of adopting ranked-choice voting for city council elections. If the Greenbelt City Council adopts an RCV system, it would be the 52nd locality in the United States that uses/is scheduled to use RCV in at least some elections.
November 10, 2025 at 9:00 PM
On 11/4, voters in Greenbelt, MD, passed a non-binding referendum in favor of adopting ranked-choice voting for city council elections. If the Greenbelt City Council adopts an RCV system, it would be the 52nd locality in the United States that uses/is scheduled to use RCV in at least some elections.
November 4th was the 35th day of the federal government shutdown making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
There have been 11 shutdowns in U.S. history that lasted for at least a day and resulted in agency closures and employee furloughs.
There have been 11 shutdowns in U.S. history that lasted for at least a day and resulted in agency closures and employee furloughs.
November 8, 2025 at 3:25 PM
November 4th was the 35th day of the federal government shutdown making it the longest shutdown in U.S. history.
There have been 11 shutdowns in U.S. history that lasted for at least a day and resulted in agency closures and employee furloughs.
There have been 11 shutdowns in U.S. history that lasted for at least a day and resulted in agency closures and employee furloughs.
At least 15 incumbents lost in the state legislative elections in New Jersey & Virginia, with 6 New Jersey contests still uncalled as of 5:30 pm EST on 11/5. That’s the most general election incumbent defeats in an odd year since 21 were defeated in 2011. All 15 defeated incumbents were Republicans.
November 6, 2025 at 3:09 PM
At least 15 incumbents lost in the state legislative elections in New Jersey & Virginia, with 6 New Jersey contests still uncalled as of 5:30 pm EST on 11/5. That’s the most general election incumbent defeats in an odd year since 21 were defeated in 2011. All 15 defeated incumbents were Republicans.
While most eyes were on major races last night, voters also made important decisions close to home. From tax policy to housing and election policy, local ballot measures were on ballots across the country. Here’s a thread of the results of some local ballot measures you may have missed:
November 5, 2025 at 4:21 PM
While most eyes were on major races last night, voters also made important decisions close to home. From tax policy to housing and election policy, local ballot measures were on ballots across the country. Here’s a thread of the results of some local ballot measures you may have missed:
Once Spanberger is sworn in, Virginia will be one of 16 Democratic trifectas. Nationally, following the 2025 elections, there will be 16 Democratic trifectas, 23 Republican trifectas, and 11 divided governments.
November 5, 2025 at 4:06 PM
Once Spanberger is sworn in, Virginia will be one of 16 Democratic trifectas. Nationally, following the 2025 elections, there will be 16 Democratic trifectas, 23 Republican trifectas, and 11 divided governments.
The Ballotpedia page updates have begun as we start to see results across the country. We will be updating the thread below with noteworthy results: 🧵
November 5, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The Ballotpedia page updates have begun as we start to see results across the country. We will be updating the thread below with noteworthy results: 🧵
🗳️Identification: Information on voter ID requirements in your state, so you know what to expect when you get to the polls.
bit.ly/3JuQGUK
bit.ly/3JuQGUK
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
🗳️Identification: Information on voter ID requirements in your state, so you know what to expect when you get to the polls.
bit.ly/3JuQGUK
bit.ly/3JuQGUK
🗳️Poll opening and closing times: A state-by-state look at poll opening and closing times for today's elections.
bit.ly/4ogsBQy
bit.ly/4ogsBQy
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
🗳️Poll opening and closing times: A state-by-state look at poll opening and closing times for today's elections.
bit.ly/4ogsBQy
bit.ly/4ogsBQy
🗳️Sample ballot: Our Sample Ballot Lookup tool helps you learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot.
bit.ly/3WGpUvw
bit.ly/3WGpUvw
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
🗳️Sample ballot: Our Sample Ballot Lookup tool helps you learn about the candidates and issues on your ballot.
bit.ly/3WGpUvw
bit.ly/3WGpUvw
We’re less than two weeks away from Election Day! Ballotpedia staff is preparing to cover 24 statewide ballot measures in six states, along with 188 local ballot measures.
Out of all those ballot measures, our team has selected 10 of the most important and compelling ones in the country.
Out of all those ballot measures, our team has selected 10 of the most important and compelling ones in the country.
October 25, 2025 at 2:42 PM
We’re less than two weeks away from Election Day! Ballotpedia staff is preparing to cover 24 statewide ballot measures in six states, along with 188 local ballot measures.
Out of all those ballot measures, our team has selected 10 of the most important and compelling ones in the country.
Out of all those ballot measures, our team has selected 10 of the most important and compelling ones in the country.
An important reminder as we head into election season! Between Sept. 2024 and Sept. 2025:
🗳️ 34 elections were decided by 10 votes or fewer
✋22 were decided by five votes or fewer
🤏 Since 2018, 660 elections have been decided by 10 votes or fewer
🗳️ 34 elections were decided by 10 votes or fewer
✋22 were decided by five votes or fewer
🤏 Since 2018, 660 elections have been decided by 10 votes or fewer
October 21, 2025 at 5:29 PM
An important reminder as we head into election season! Between Sept. 2024 and Sept. 2025:
🗳️ 34 elections were decided by 10 votes or fewer
✋22 were decided by five votes or fewer
🤏 Since 2018, 660 elections have been decided by 10 votes or fewer
🗳️ 34 elections were decided by 10 votes or fewer
✋22 were decided by five votes or fewer
🤏 Since 2018, 660 elections have been decided by 10 votes or fewer
Using data provided in the United States Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates published in September 2025, & based on districts enacted after the 2020 census, there were 148 U.S. House majority-minority districts. This represented approximately 34% of the nation's 435 districts.
October 2, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Using data provided in the United States Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey estimates published in September 2025, & based on districts enacted after the 2020 census, there were 148 U.S. House majority-minority districts. This represented approximately 34% of the nation's 435 districts.
Proposition 50 became the 9th most expensive ballot measure on record in California, with five weeks until the election.
As of Sept. 29, campaigns for and against the ballot measure had raised a combined $127.7 million.
As of Sept. 29, campaigns for and against the ballot measure had raised a combined $127.7 million.
October 1, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Proposition 50 became the 9th most expensive ballot measure on record in California, with five weeks until the election.
As of Sept. 29, campaigns for and against the ballot measure had raised a combined $127.7 million.
As of Sept. 29, campaigns for and against the ballot measure had raised a combined $127.7 million.
Happy Fall!🍁As an important reminder, ten states have important voter participation dates and deadlines ahead of statewide general elections on Nov. 4. All 10 states listed below have either a statewide office or ballot measure on the ballot.
September 23, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Happy Fall!🍁As an important reminder, ten states have important voter participation dates and deadlines ahead of statewide general elections on Nov. 4. All 10 states listed below have either a statewide office or ballot measure on the ballot.
California voters will decide on Proposition 50 on November 4, 2025. In this video, we break down what Proposition 50 would do, the latest campaign finance numbers, and major endorsements on both sides.
As of September 16, campaigns for and against Prop 50 have raised nearly $68 million.
As of September 16, campaigns for and against Prop 50 have raised nearly $68 million.
September 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
California voters will decide on Proposition 50 on November 4, 2025. In this video, we break down what Proposition 50 would do, the latest campaign finance numbers, and major endorsements on both sides.
As of September 16, campaigns for and against Prop 50 have raised nearly $68 million.
As of September 16, campaigns for and against Prop 50 have raised nearly $68 million.
Thirty-five members of the U.S. Congress—eight U.S. Senate members and 27 U.S. House members—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. Compared to previous election cycles, 35 is the most retirement announcements we have tracked at this point since 2018.
September 15, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Thirty-five members of the U.S. Congress—eight U.S. Senate members and 27 U.S. House members—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. Compared to previous election cycles, 35 is the most retirement announcements we have tracked at this point since 2018.