New York City
The New York City mayoral election has drawn national attention in a way voters haven’t seen in modern history. This is because Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, 33 and a self-described democratic socialist, is poised to win based on the latest polling.
Ranked Choice Voting
Eighteen U.S. cities and counties have used or are using ranked choice voting (RCV) in 2025 -- including the largest cities in three states: New York City (for its primaries only), Minneapolis, and Salt Lake City.
Federal vs State Laws
When Missouri voters legalized cannabis, it became one of the fastest-growing regulated industries in the country. But in just a few short years, that success is being threatened by a shadow market — products made from “intoxicating hemp” and sold at gas stations and smoke shops without testing, regulation, or taxes.
Open Primaries
The U.S. has entered Day 22 of the latest government shutdown with no end in sight. As pundits expect it to surpass the 35-day record set during Trump’s first term, a new Gallup poll shows voters’ approval of Congress has plummeted in the last month. Yet, for congressional leaders, there isn’t any u
Commentary
On Day 16 of the government shutdown, President Donald Trump held a special “Legacy Dinner” at the White House to thank donors who helped fund his new ballroom project, which costs around $200-$250 million.
California
Going into 2025, there were few people who expected a statewide ballot measure election in California to become the sixth most expensive in state history in a year with no other statewide race on the ballot – but here we are with Prop 50, which asks voters to approve a legislative gerrymander.
Corrections
California is calling it a milestone for fairness, dignity, and labor rights. When Governor Gavin Newsom signed a package of bills last week raising pay for incarcerated firefighters, the announcement made headlines across the state and drew praise as a historic step toward justice reform.
Open Primaries
The Texas GOP made two significant moves in the last few months to enhance their chances in the 2026 midterms. The first made national headlines and provoked a Democratic Party response. The second has flown under the radar.
Open Primaries
While appearing on CNN host Michael Smerconish’s show, former Democratic U.S. Senator Joe Manchin, now a registered independent, told Smerconish that “we have to have open primaries” in order to get candidates who prioritize representation to run and have a chance to win.
Gerrymandering
From California, where independent redistricting commissioner J. Ray Kennedy, a Democrat, describes how state leaders effectively sidelined the nonpartisan commission, to Texas, where the Republican Party is suing to close one of the nation’s oldest open primary systems, the hosts trace a pattern of
Open Primaries
This week the Supreme Court denied cert in the case of Polelle v.Byrd; a case challenging Florida’s closed primary in the federal courts. It was not an unexpected outcome. The court only grants cert to roughly a hundred of the close to 10,000 cert petitions it receives
Commentary
In the midst of a Republican Party lawsuit against the State of Texas to close its publicly administered primary elections to party members only, Attorney General Ken Paxton has decided not to defend Texas law.