Words of wisdom punctuate this gem from the one and only @tressiemcphd.bsky.social:

"Because no citizen who simply settles for being a consumer of democracy should expect to have a real democracy ever again."

www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/o... [GIFT LINK TO MUST-READ ARTICLE]

This survey was conducted just over 3 years ago. I would like to see what the fall 2025 wave results would be, especially if they put Latter-day Saints/Mormon as the descriptor.

The bedrock of democracy is the ability to disagree peacefully. The Utah County Democratic Party unequivocally condemns the use of political violence directed at Charlie Kirk and anyone else. Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Kirk’s family and with the Utah Valley University community.

Excellent analysis of the latest research across various fields in the social sciences on racial segregation in neighborhoods, wards, cities, towns, rural areas, and even congressional districts by @trevondlogan.bsky.social in @aeajournals.bsky.social Journal of Economic Literature

BREAKING: Social Security Administration chief data officer and whistle-blower Charles Borges has resigned after bombshell report that SSA put highly-sensitive data at risk. He sent out an email to colleagues moments ago.

Here is the text of his email shared with me:

BREAKING: In a massive win for democracy, a Utah judge struck down the GOP’s gerrymandered congressional map.

Utah voters demanded fairer maps and politicians must now deliver.

Breaking: Judge Dianna Gibson has struck down Utahs congressional boundaries, ordering the Legislature to adopt new maps within 30 days that comply with the 2018 Better Boundaries initiative.

www.sltrib.com/news/politic...

Gallup has new polling on immigration. Topline findings:
-Americans hate Trump's immigration policy (35% approve, 62% disapprove)
-Share who say immigration is a "good thing" for the country just hit an all-time high (79%)

news.gallup.com/poll/692522/...

The arbitrary exercise of government power is the signature act of authoritarian regimes

It's not just the US murder rate that is likely at or near the lowest level ever recorded. The data from the first 4 months of 2025 points to the possibility of the lowest reported property crime rate ever & lowest violent crime rate in decades. This week's piece:
jasher.substack.com/p/its-not-ju...

Trending today on the @pewresearch.org site: "A Look Back at How Fear and False Beliefs Bolstered U.S. Public Support for War in Iraq"

@ryanburge.bsky.social reports NO change in LDS/Mormon vote, 2020-2024

This is meaningful bc the non-LDS vote moved +6 R (LDS +6 D vs. USA chg.)

"The conclusion...is unmistakable-the LDS electorate is not so strongly tied with the Republican party now."

www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/2024-elect...

NEW: Census Bureau lost over 1,000 employees through early retirement and voluntary separation offers in recent months and plans to cut some statistical work, acting Director Ron Jarmin says. "It feels a little bit like Thanos snapped his finger and a lot of your friends and colleagues went away..."

"How Southern Politicians Reformed Textbooks to Resist Civil Rights Demands" -- my new article in the Journal of Historical Political Economy.

Ungated version: tinyurl.com/y32wev8y

I standby my assessment for the time being. I think that Beshear is a viable winnable candidate. Barring somebody I have not yet met on the national stage. But you know just don’t fall in love with politicians. they are of a place.

🔵NEW MAP: 81% (48/59) of suburban Utah metro Wasatch Front cities swung blue, 2020-2024.
📈Heavily Latino central cities like Ogden edged right a tiny bit--much less than other such US cities.
👀The 4-county area is the only major metro to not swing right in 2024: ATL, PIT, SEA were close, just +1 R.

BREAKING: Judge Burroughs has granted Harvard's restraining order, barring the administration from terminating its foreign student population. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...

The Wasatch Front being the only major metro area not to swing to the right in 2024 is very significant, though I still worry that at least in the short term, Utah's elected Republicans will keep moving to the right even as their voters move left.

Bonus precinct-level maps of 2024 election results and 2020-2024 vote swing.
Comment below on the Easter eggs in here like big blue swings in South Jordan (Daybreak), Orem (UVU new campus ballot drop box), Centerville/Bountiful, north/east Provo (educational polarization 3 cycles in a row), etc.

🔵NEW MAP: 81% (48/59) of suburban Utah metro Wasatch Front cities swung blue, 2020-2024.
📈Heavily Latino central cities like Ogden edged right a tiny bit--much less than other such US cities.
👀The 4-county area is the only major metro to not swing right in 2024: ATL, PIT, SEA were close, just +1 R.