Dear Readers: This is Part Two of our series previewing the races for the Virginia state legislature. In Part One, we looked at the big-picture stakes and trends. Today, we go through the districts that we think will decide the chamber, including 10 in the House and 6 in the...
Category: 2024 State Races
The Battle for the Virginia State Legislature, Part One
Democratic presidential lean muted in lower-turnout legislative races, but political environment appears to be different than 2021
Dear Readers: This is the first of a two-part Crystal Ball series on this November’s state legislative elections in Virginia. Today’s piece looks at the overall electoral picture, and Part Two will identify and analyze the key districts that will decide the majorities. -- The Editors KEY POINTS FROM THIS...
The Republicans’ ‘Excess Seat’ Edge in State Legislatures
Republicans punch above their weight compared to presidential results in more places than Democrats
Dear Readers: In the latest edition of our Politics is Everything podcast, we talk with the author of today’s Crystal Ball piece -- Senior Columnist Louis Jacobson -- about his article today on “excess seats” in state legislatures as well as his journalism career with PolitiFact, House Republicans’ recently-announced impeachment...
Ohio’s Issue 1 Smackdown
The left scores another win in an abortion rights proxy fight; apparent turnout and persuasion edge drives Democratic success
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE -- The pro-abortion rights/Democratic side won yet another fight related to abortion rights on Tuesday night, this time in red-trending Ohio. -- Turnout was robust and likely advantaged the Democratic side. Voter participation was relatively poor across Appalachia, a once-competitive area that has become extremely Republican...
The 2023 and 2024 Attorney General and Secretary of State Races
Amidst several safe-state races with key primaries, competitive contests in North Carolina and Pennsylvania loom
Dear Readers: In the latest edition of our Politics is Everything podcast, the Crystal Ball’s J. Miles Coleman, Kyle Kondik, and Carah Ong Whaley discuss the results from Tuesday night’s Virginia state legislative primaries and look ahead to the closely-contested battle for control of both chambers coming up this fall....
Moving Beyond the Good Ol’ Boys Club: Recent Trends in Women’s Representation in State Legislatures
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE -- The percentage of women in state legislatures has increased in recent years. However, there is still a significant gender gap in most states as women have not reached parity in representation. -- The majority of women in state legislatures are Democrats. While more Republican...
A First Look at 2024 State Supreme Court Contests
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE -- The fate of Wisconsin's state supreme court will be decided next month. -- About two-thirds of the states will have supreme court elections next year. -- Key states with supreme court elections to watch in 2024 include Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, North Carolina, and Ohio....