Bolts
@boltsmag.org
A publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change: Boltsmag.org
Six states adopted new congressional maps this year, and a few more have started the process. So where does that leave the count of the overall partisan shift? You asked, we answered:
boltsmag.org/mid-dec...
boltsmag.org/mid-dec...
December 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Six states adopted new congressional maps this year, and a few more have started the process. So where does that leave the count of the overall partisan shift? You asked, we answered:
boltsmag.org/mid-dec...
boltsmag.org/mid-dec...
After the 2025 elections, Democrats control both legislative chambers and the governorship in 16 states. The GOP holds this trifecta in 23 states, and 11 states have split governments.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
boltsmag.org/legisla...
December 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM
After the 2025 elections, Democrats control both legislative chambers and the governorship in 16 states. The GOP holds this trifecta in 23 states, and 11 states have split governments.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
boltsmag.org/legisla...
Throughout 2025, Democrats gained 25 state legislative seats that were held by the GOP—21 percent of the total. Their gains were spread across six states.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
boltsmag.org/legisla...
December 16, 2025 at 5:02 PM
Throughout 2025, Democrats gained 25 state legislative seats that were held by the GOP—21 percent of the total. Their gains were spread across six states.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
boltsmag.org/legisla...
Bolts reporting on the results of state legislative elections this year was featured yesterday on MS NOW @arimelber.bsky.social.
Watch the full video: www.ms.now/the-beat-...
And read more in our reporting: boltsmag.org/legisla...
Watch the full video: www.ms.now/the-beat-...
And read more in our reporting: boltsmag.org/legisla...
December 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Bolts reporting on the results of state legislative elections this year was featured yesterday on MS NOW @arimelber.bsky.social.
Watch the full video: www.ms.now/the-beat-...
And read more in our reporting: boltsmag.org/legisla...
Watch the full video: www.ms.now/the-beat-...
And read more in our reporting: boltsmag.org/legisla...
In this week's newsletter: A look at Democrats' historic election night and what the results mean for voting rights and immigration policy in several states. Plus, a list of downballot races whose results we've been following.
mailchi.mp/boltsmag/...
mailchi.mp/boltsmag/...
November 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM
In this week's newsletter: A look at Democrats' historic election night and what the results mean for voting rights and immigration policy in several states. Plus, a list of downballot races whose results we've been following.
mailchi.mp/boltsmag/...
mailchi.mp/boltsmag/...
In total, there are 15 contested prosecutor elections taking place across the country tomorrow. boltsmag.org/2025-pr...
November 3, 2025 at 8:05 PM
In total, there are 15 contested prosecutor elections taking place across the country tomorrow. boltsmag.org/2025-pr...
Under Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD leadership has pushed police to issue more civil summonses. Data on civil summonses issued by NYPD suggest that Black and Latinx communities remain disproportionately affected.
boltsmag.org/under-e...
boltsmag.org/under-e...
November 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Under Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD leadership has pushed police to issue more civil summonses. Data on civil summonses issued by NYPD suggest that Black and Latinx communities remain disproportionately affected.
boltsmag.org/under-e...
boltsmag.org/under-e...
You sent us your questions about November’s elections and we answered. We respond to six reader questions, from the school board elections we are watching to what these elections could mean for next year's midterms.
boltsmag.org/electio...
boltsmag.org/electio...
November 1, 2025 at 10:30 PM
You sent us your questions about November’s elections and we answered. We respond to six reader questions, from the school board elections we are watching to what these elections could mean for next year's midterms.
boltsmag.org/electio...
boltsmag.org/electio...
During his time in office, Mayor Eric Adams directed police to issue more civil summonses. In 2024 alone, New York City issued at least $2.3 million in fines through NYPD civil summonses, nearly double the previous year.
boltsmag.org/under-e...
boltsmag.org/under-e...
November 1, 2025 at 12:00 AM
During his time in office, Mayor Eric Adams directed police to issue more civil summonses. In 2024 alone, New York City issued at least $2.3 million in fines through NYPD civil summonses, nearly double the previous year.
boltsmag.org/under-e...
boltsmag.org/under-e...
Since the start of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s aggressive removal policy, city officials have seen a significant drop in the number of tent and RV encampments. Harrell’s opponent in this year’s race wants to ban most encampment sweeps.
boltsmag.org/seattle...
boltsmag.org/seattle...
October 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Since the start of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s aggressive removal policy, city officials have seen a significant drop in the number of tent and RV encampments. Harrell’s opponent in this year’s race wants to ban most encampment sweeps.
boltsmag.org/seattle...
boltsmag.org/seattle...
Missouri’s referendum on minimum wage and paid sick leave last year won by a margin of 58 to 42 percent statewide. Under a proposal advanced by the GOP, it would have failed because it didn’t win more than 50 percent in every congressional district.
boltsmag.org/missour...
boltsmag.org/missour...
September 25, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Missouri’s referendum on minimum wage and paid sick leave last year won by a margin of 58 to 42 percent statewide. Under a proposal advanced by the GOP, it would have failed because it didn’t win more than 50 percent in every congressional district.
boltsmag.org/missour...
boltsmag.org/missour...
Bolts reviewed available data from several major cities that elected their mayors in 2025 and found that turnout cratered. San Antonio’s expensive mayoral race in May dropped roughly 70 percent compared to the 2024 election.
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
September 24, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Bolts reviewed available data from several major cities that elected their mayors in 2025 and found that turnout cratered. San Antonio’s expensive mayoral race in May dropped roughly 70 percent compared to the 2024 election.
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
In cities that have elected their mayor so far this year, turnout has cratered compared to the 2024 presidential race—that much is not a surprise. A new analysis by Bolts shows just how much turnout dropped.
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
September 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
In cities that have elected their mayor so far this year, turnout has cratered compared to the 2024 presidential race—that much is not a surprise. A new analysis by Bolts shows just how much turnout dropped.
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
boltsmag.org/new-yor...
A group in San Diego is patrolling neighborhoods to identify potential ICE presence. They keep watch for vehicles that may belong to federal agencies, and use livestreams, radios, and social media to keep communities informed.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/how-vol...
Learn more: boltsmag.org/how-vol...
May 4, 2025 at 9:15 PM
A group in San Diego is patrolling neighborhoods to identify potential ICE presence. They keep watch for vehicles that may belong to federal agencies, and use livestreams, radios, and social media to keep communities informed.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/how-vol...
Learn more: boltsmag.org/how-vol...
Maryland’s Republican sheriffs have rushed to join ICE's 287(g) program this year. Now, more than 1.1 million Marylanders, nearly a fifth of the state, live in 287(g) counties.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
May 4, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Maryland’s Republican sheriffs have rushed to join ICE's 287(g) program this year. Now, more than 1.1 million Marylanders, nearly a fifth of the state, live in 287(g) counties.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
As Maryland’s Republican sheriffs have rushed to join ICE's 287(g) program, more than 1.1 million Marylanders, nearly a fifth of the state, now live in 287(g) counties.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
April 27, 2025 at 1:00 PM
As Maryland’s Republican sheriffs have rushed to join ICE's 287(g) program, more than 1.1 million Marylanders, nearly a fifth of the state, now live in 287(g) counties.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...
Dozens of cities are electing mayors and city councilors in 2025, from New York City to Minneapolis and Seattle.
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
April 20, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Dozens of cities are electing mayors and city councilors in 2025, from New York City to Minneapolis and Seattle.
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Dozens of cities are electing mayors and city councilors in 2025, from New York City to Minneapolis and Seattle.
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
March 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Dozens of cities are electing mayors and city councilors in 2025, from New York City to Minneapolis and Seattle.
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Today, the Supreme Court is hearing a case that'll test the Voting Rights Act; it's centered around Louisiana's congressional map.
This was the first of our 'eight cases to watch in 2025,' in our preview of voting rights legal battles this year.
Revisit: boltsmag.org/voting-...
This was the first of our 'eight cases to watch in 2025,' in our preview of voting rights legal battles this year.
Revisit: boltsmag.org/voting-...
March 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Today, the Supreme Court is hearing a case that'll test the Voting Rights Act; it's centered around Louisiana's congressional map.
This was the first of our 'eight cases to watch in 2025,' in our preview of voting rights legal battles this year.
Revisit: boltsmag.org/voting-...
This was the first of our 'eight cases to watch in 2025,' in our preview of voting rights legal battles this year.
Revisit: boltsmag.org/voting-...
2025 carries high stakes for policing and criminal justice, including immigration enforcement. There will be roughly 160 elections for prosecutor and sheriff this year. Most are concentrated in just four East Coast states.
Here's what to know:
boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Here's what to know:
boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
January 26, 2025 at 9:00 PM
2025 carries high stakes for policing and criminal justice, including immigration enforcement. There will be roughly 160 elections for prosecutor and sheriff this year. Most are concentrated in just four East Coast states.
Here's what to know:
boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
Here's what to know:
boltsmag.org/2025-cr...
After the 2024 elections, who will run each state’s government?
Bolts sums it up in one graph:
boltsmag.org/legisla...
Bolts sums it up in one graph:
boltsmag.org/legisla...
December 15, 2024 at 6:00 PM
After the 2024 elections, who will run each state’s government?
Bolts sums it up in one graph:
boltsmag.org/legisla...
Bolts sums it up in one graph:
boltsmag.org/legisla...
After the 2024 elections, who will run state governments?
▫️ GOP has trifectas in 23 states
▫️ Democrats have 15.
▫️ 12 states have split governments.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
▫️ GOP has trifectas in 23 states
▫️ Democrats have 15.
▫️ 12 states have split governments.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
December 6, 2024 at 5:00 PM
After the 2024 elections, who will run state governments?
▫️ GOP has trifectas in 23 states
▫️ Democrats have 15.
▫️ 12 states have split governments.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
▫️ GOP has trifectas in 23 states
▫️ Democrats have 15.
▫️ 12 states have split governments.
boltsmag.org/legisla...
Ranked-choice voting survived in Alaska — barely. It prevailed by a mere 664 votes, and would have been repealed were it not for areas with large populations of Alaska Natives provided the winning margin against Measure 2.
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
December 2, 2024 at 2:00 AM
Ranked-choice voting survived in Alaska — barely. It prevailed by a mere 664 votes, and would have been repealed were it not for areas with large populations of Alaska Natives provided the winning margin against Measure 2.
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
With a storm brewing in the rural village of Newtok, Alaska, just before Election Day, organizer Jackie Boyer flew in on a tiny plane to help facilitate an emergency vote-by-fax process — pictured here radioing residents with instructions.
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
November 25, 2024 at 2:00 AM
With a storm brewing in the rural village of Newtok, Alaska, just before Election Day, organizer Jackie Boyer flew in on a tiny plane to help facilitate an emergency vote-by-fax process — pictured here radioing residents with instructions.
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
Ranked-choice voting survived in Alaska — barely. It prevailed by a mere 664 votes, and would have been repealed were it not for areas with large populations of Alaska Natives provided the winning margin against Measure 2.
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
November 23, 2024 at 4:00 PM
Ranked-choice voting survived in Alaska — barely. It prevailed by a mere 664 votes, and would have been repealed were it not for areas with large populations of Alaska Natives provided the winning margin against Measure 2.
boltsmag.org/alaska-...
boltsmag.org/alaska-...