The Highest Courts in the States
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — State supreme court elections are often overlooked, stuck at the end of long ballots
A Golden Age of Gubernatorial Propriety
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — In the past decade, four governors faced either a criminal case or sexual misconduct
The Future Shape of the Senate
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — The Constitution divides the Senate into three “classes” that face the voters on six-year
The Rise of Ranked-Choice Voting
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — 2020 has been a banner year for ranked-choice voting. — Several Democratic primary and
Gubernatorial Appointment Powers for U.S. Senate Seats: Which Vacancies Could Prompt a Party Switch?
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — In a presidential election year, the senatorial appointment powers of governors become especially important,
Virtual Conventions: Health Crisis Forces Both Parties, Particularly The Democrats, to Envision the Possibility
Dear Readers: This is the first of two issues of the Crystal Ball this week. Below, Senior Columnist Louis Jacobson
One-Party Dominance Extends to Statewide Elected Offices
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — For talented young political prospects who belong to the minority party in states dominated
Trump Not Immune to the Usual Down-Ballot Presidential Penalty
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — After just three years in the White House, Donald Trump is seeing a significant
Markey vs. Kennedy: Welcome to the most unusual Senate primary in decades
KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THIS ARTICLE — Sen. Ed Markey (D-MA) is facing a strong primary challenge from Rep. Joe Kennedy
Outside of D.C., Governors Remain Popular in the States
KEY POINTS FROM THIS ARTICLE — Even as public approval of President Trump and Congress remain in the basement, 50-state
The Trade War’s Risks for Trump
Dear Readers: We’re pleased this week to welcome Louis Jacobson to the Crystal Ball team. Jacobson, a veteran political journalist