Shows / On the Ballot
On the Ballot
On the Ballot with Ballotpedia connects people to politics by providing neutral, nonpartisan, and reliable information on our government, how it works, and where it’s headed. This year, we're hoping to learn more about what our audience and what topics you want us to tackle. Complete a brief 5 minute survey to review the show and share some feedback: https://forms.gle/zPxYSog5civyvEKX6 Stream On the Ballot wherever you listen to podcasts. If you have any questions, comments, or love for BP…
Episodes
- On the Ballot
Money in Politics, Explained: OpenSecrets’ Hilary Braseth on Super PACs, Dark Money, and Where Campaign Cash Goes
On this episode: The black box of money in politics. They discuss how OpenSecrets got its start as a 1,500-page book in the post-Watergate era, how two 2010…
- On the Ballot
Forecaster Chaz Nuttycombe on 6,000+ State Legislative Races, Trifectas to Watch, and Trust in Polling
On this episode: A look at the state of the states. They discuss the national mood shaping thousands of state legislative races, which chambers and trifectas…
- On the Ballot
Federal Reserve Actions in Election Years: From Nixon to Now with Former Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker
On this episode: How the Fed weighs the timing of its moves, how past chairs from William McChesney Martin to Alan Greenspan navigated their relationships with…
- On the Ballot
2026 Ballot Measures and Down-Ballot Races to Watch, with Ballotpedia’s Lara Bonatesta and Victoria Rose
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s Lara Bonatesta from our events team and Victoria Rose from our ballot measures team join Host Norm Leahy to cover what’s further…
- On the Ballot
Covering 116,000 Candidates with Ballotpedia’s Doug Kronaizl
On this episode: Ballotpedia Managing Editor Doug Kronaizl joins Host Norm Leahy to go behind the scenes of Ballotpedia’s local election coverage, which spans…
- On the Ballot
Down-Ballot Races Explained: Leslie Graves on Closing the Local Information Gap
On this episode: Exploring the part of the ballot where many voters run out of information: the school boards, judges, county offices and special districts…
- On the Ballot
Senate Races to Watch with Cook Political Report’s Jessica Taylor
On this episode: Jessica Taylor, Senate and Governors Editor at The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter, joins Host Norm Leahy to break down the Senate map…
- On the Ballot
Texas Tribune’s Jayme Lozano on data centers, rural voters, and the Texas races to watch
On this episode: Jayme Lozano, who covers the South Plains and Panhandle for The Texas Tribune, joins Host Norm Leahy to talk about what’s on Texas voters’…
- On the Ballot
Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball Kicks Off Midterm Mania
On this episode: How gas prices, populist sentiments, and presidential approval are shaping the midterms, competitive Senate contests in Texas, Ohio, Iowa, and…
- On the Ballot
What Midterm History Tells Us About 2026
On this episode: With under four weeks to go until Election Day, Ballotpedia CEO and founder Leslie Graves joins host Norm Leahy for a big-picture look at the…
- On the Ballot
Mike Allen on Axios' New Book 'Simplify,' AI, and the Midterms
On this episode: Axios co-founder Mike Allen joins Host Norm Leahy to talk about his new book, Simplify: Do 50% More with 50% Less, and why cutting through…
- On the Ballot
America's 1st Recall Over Data Centers
On this episode: A city council member in Independence, Missouri became the first elected official recalled over a data center deal. But the real story isn't…
- On the Ballot
Why Local Elections Matter in America's Data Center Debate
On this episode: AI infrastructure has become a political issue at the local level, with recalls, ballot measures, and state preemption emerging as tools…
- On the Ballot
Where's the Great American Novel?
On this episode: Norman Leahy sits down with Ballotpedia CEO and Founder Leslie Graves to explore how foundational literary works—like Don Quixote and The…
- On the Ballot
America at 250: Looking Back at How the Country Has Marked Its Biggest Birthdays
On this episode: Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins host Norman Leahy to look back at how the country has celebrated — and processed — its…
- On the Ballot
Why State Constitutions Change MUCH More Frequently Than The Federal Constitution
On this episode: The U.S. Constitution has been amended just 27 times in over 230 years. State constitutions, collectively, have been amended more than 7,000…
- On the Ballot
Election Administration: How It Works, How It's Changed, and Why It Matters
On this episode: Running an election is harder than it looks — and it's always been that way. Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins host Norman Leahy…
- On the Ballot
Redistricting’s Long History and Rapidly Evolving Present
On this episode: Redistricting happens every decade — but lately it's been making news on a much shorter cycle. Ballotpedia's redistricting expert Nathan…
- On the Ballot
What Leslie Learned at Her First Town Board Meeting
On this episode: Leslie Graves attended her first village board meeting in Spring Green, Wisconsin — and came away surprised by what she found. Norman and…
- On the Ballot
Office Hours: A Closer Look at Local Self-Governance
On this episode: Ballotpedia CEO and Founder Leslie Graves joins host Norm Leahy to discuss self-governance at the local level and civic participation in local…
- On the Ballot
Office Hours: Redistricting’s Real Impact
On this episode: Ballotpedia CEO and co-founder Leslie Graves joins host Norm Leahy to talk redistricting — what's driving the wave of mid-decade map changes…
- On the Ballot
Primaries and How America Picks Political Candidates (It’s Complicated)
On this episode: Primary season is officially underway in America, and Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins host Norman Leahy to break down what the…
- On the Ballot
Civic Blueprints: The Hidden Work Behind American Democracy
On this episode: As the nation approaches its 250th anniversary, Leslie Graves announces Ballotpedia’s new American 250 initiative and Substack, Civic…
- On the Ballot
Supreme Court Term Preview w/ Adam Feldman: Major Cases on Voting, Redistricting, Tariffs, and Presidential Power
On this episode: Supreme Court scholar Adam Feldman joins the show to preview the current Supreme Court term and break down the major cases still to be argued…
- On the Ballot
What Google Is Learning by Studying American Values Ahead of Our 250th Birthday
On this episode: Google Jigsaw CEO Yasmin Green and pollster Scott Rasmussen join the show to discuss their ‘We the People’ project, an effort to gather public…
- On the Ballot
Some Filing Deadlines for the 2026 Midterms have ALREADY Passed - Primary Calendar Preview
On this episode: To open the new year, Almanac of American Politics writers Lou Jacobson and Rich Cohen join the show to break down how the 2026 midterm cycle…
- On the Ballot
What’s Next for Redistricting Nationwide After the Supreme Court Allows Texas’ New Map for 2026
On this episode: Texas Tribune reporter Gabby Birenbaum explains the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Texas to use its new congressional map for the 2026…
- On the Ballot
Connecticut’s Ballot Measure History: A 90% Approval Rate and a Century of Amendments
On this episode: The latest edition of our Historical Ballot Measures series – our 10th episode — How Connecticut’s ballot measure system works and why nearly…
- On the Ballot
Looking Ahead to 2026 – Office Hours w/ Leslie Graves
On this episode: Ballotpedia founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins Office Hours to outline how the organization is preparing for the 2026 elections — a cycle…
- On the Ballot
Voter Turnout Trends and Key Takeaways from the 2025 Elections
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…
- On the Ballot
How the Supreme Court’s Tariffs Case Could Redefine Presidential Power and Trade w/ Brennan Center’s Liza Goitein
On this episode: The Supreme Court is considering a major separation-of-powers case that could redefine the limits of presidential authority during national…
- On the Ballot
Government Shutdown Latest: Senate Deal Advances, House Decision Looms w/ Axios’ Hans Nichols
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…
- On the Ballot
Democratic Wave? 2025 Election Takeaways on Polling Misses, Redistricting, and What’s Next
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…
- On the Ballot
Keep an Eye on Local Elections this Week – Office Hours w/ Leslie Graves
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…
- On the Ballot
Top 10 Elections to Watch: Big-City Mayors, Statehouse Shifts, Court Control, and More
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…
- On the Ballot
Top 10 Ballot Measures to Watch: Prop 50, Taxes in Texas, Housing in NYC, and More
On this episode: Voters in five states will decide on 24 statewide ballot measures this November, shaping major debates over redistricting, voting laws, taxes…
- On the Ballot
Democrats Redistricting in Virginia? Previewing the Commonwealth’s 2025 Elections
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…
- On the Ballot
New Jersey 2025 Election Preview: Governor’s Race, State Assembly Contests, and Turnout Trends
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…
- On the Ballot
How Oklahomans Have Used Ballot Measures to Shape Their State for 100+ Years
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…
- On the Ballot
Empowering Confident Voters: Celebrating National Voter Education Week
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…
- On the Ballot
How Many House Seats Could Flip as a Result of Redistricting Efforts Around the Country?
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…
- On the Ballot
Building Robust Information on 500,000 Local Officials — Office Hours Ep. #4
On this episode: Ballotpedia’s work often highlights high-profile elections, but behind the scenes, our staff and volunteers are tackling an even bigger…
- On the Ballot
SCOTUS 2025-26 Term Preview: Tariffs, Voting Rights Act, Agency Power & More
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…
- On the Ballot
Alaska Politics on the Ballot: Relocating the Capital, Oil Dividends, and RCV
On this episode: Alaska’s history with ballot measures stretches back before statehood and has produced some of the country’s most distinctive political…
- On the Ballot
Senate Invokes ‘Nuclear Option’ to Fast Track Presidential Nominations
On this episode: Senate Republicans pushed through a major change to how presidential nominees are confirmed, lowering the threshold to a simple majority and…
- On the Ballot
Can Congress Avoid a Government Shutdown? w/ Burgess Everett
On this episode: Congress is considering legislation to fund the federal government before the fiscal year ends. Lawmakers are debating spending proposals and…
- On the Ballot
Prop 50, Explained — Inside California’s Redistricting Push
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…
- On the Ballot
Previewing the High-Stakes Month Ahead in Congress w/ POLITICO's Nicholas Wu
On this episode: Congress has returned from its summer recess. At the top of the agenda is a deadline to fund the government. Beyond the funding debate…
- On the Ballot
What’s it really like to serve on a local school board?
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…
- On the Ballot
Arizona's Ballot Measure History
On this episode: Arizona has one of the most active ballot measure histories in the country, with nearly 500 measures decided since gaining statehood in 1912…
- On the Ballot
A Brief History of the Federal Reserve w/ Former Fed President Jeffrey Lacker
On this episode: The Federal Reserve has been at the center of America’s biggest economic turning points for more than a century as one of the country’s most…
- On the Ballot
How ’26 Secretary of State Elections Could Change Election Oversight and Administration
On this episode: Louis Jacobson, senior columnist for Sabato’s Crystal Ball, explains why the 2026 secretary of state elections could be among the most…
- On the Ballot
Texas Redistricting Battle Spreads Nationwide
On this episode: Texas lawmakers are considering mid-decade changes to the state’s congressional map after President Donald Trump called for them to create…
- On the Ballot
Detroit mayoral primary results: Council President Sheffield dominates nine-candidate field
On this episode: Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield secured 51% of the vote in the city's August 5th mayoral primary, significantly exceeding…
- On the Ballot
Seattle mayoral primary results: Incumbent Bruce Harrell trails challenger Katie Wilson
On this episode: Preliminary results from Seattle's Aug. 5 mayoral primary show incumbent Bruce Harrell and Katie Wilson advancing in a closely contested race…
- On the Ballot
Office Hours w/ Ballotpedia Founder and CEO Leslie Graves - Ep. #2
On this episode: The second installment of our new series Office Hours, featuring founder and CEO Leslie Graves in wide-ranging conversations about how and why…
- On the Ballot
Michigan’s ballot measure history — from margarine wars to marijuana legalization
On this episode: Explore Michigan's fascinating 140-year ballot measure history with our very own Ryan Byrne. From its origins as the first state east of the…
- On the Ballot
Nebraska's Nonpartisan Registration Surge: Why Voters Are Ditching Party Labels
On this episode: Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral, nonpartisan legislature—and it's creating some fascinating political dynamics. Former state…
- On the Ballot
Split ticket voting in presidential election years falls to lows not seen since the 1920s in 2024 election
On this episode: Split ticket voting—where voters cast ballots for candidates from different political parties—has declined dramatically since peaking in the…
- On the Ballot
Indiana Becomes 5th State to Require Party Labels for School Board Candidates
On this episode: Indiana recently became the fifth state to require partisan school board elections, changing from the nonpartisan format used by over 90% of…