mastodon 4.7.3editor-in-chief of @bolts@journa.host (BoltsMag.org).
super interesting in bolts: democracy organizers in Montana and Missouri have faced years of attacks, so they're going on the offense—to significantly strengthen direct democracy.
Fascinating pro-voter maneuver: https://boltsmag.org/missouri-and-montana-measures-aim-to-protect-direct-democracy/
NEW: A progressive prosecutor in Vermont has over the years defied police union, business groups, and 'law and order' critics. Earlier this year, she didn't prosecute many people arrested during anti-ICE protests.
She beat back a challenger yesterday, and is now near certain of a new term. https://boltsmag.org/with-latest-win-progressive-vermont-prosecutor-looks-to-double-down-on-reforms/
NEW: You don't see this everyday. Wyoming GOP voters rejected a ton of Republicans who wanted to crack down on voting.
They ousted nearly all members of House Elections Committee, incubator of new restrictions.
And: SoS primary was won by a man who rejects fraud claims + defends election workers. https://boltsmag.org/wyoming-gop-primary-secretary-of-state-freedom-caucus/
You have (a ton) of questions.
We have answers.
What in the world is up with mail voting?! https://boltsmag.org/mail-voting-your-questions-answered/
You may have seen the important piece in the NYT about the nightmare Kansas is subjecting trans people to.
A few months ago, we reported on one aspect of what’s happening: voting is a lot harder now for trans Kansans, who have to jump through what’s effectively a poll tax https://boltsmag.org/kansas-transgender-license-law-also-threatens-voting-rights/
More than 40,000 Missourians are regaining the right to vote.
That’s because of a new law, unusual for a red state in this day and age, that significantly expanded rights restoration! https://boltsmag.org/gop-run-missouri-becomes-latest-state-to-roll-back-felony-disenfranchisement/
Florida's House District 47, which narrowly voted for Trump over Harris, is going to flip to Democrats in November because the GOP incumbent (and lone GOP candidate) was disqualified from the ballot for not filing all the necessary paperwork. https://floridapolitics.com/archives/806532-house-district-47-flips-blue-after-judge-denies-paula-starks-lawsuit-to-get-on-the-ballot/
Virginia adopted a new law yesterday to forbid sheriffs & local police from contracting with ICE — if ICE doesn't say it'll follow state laws & agree to let its agents be prosecuted.
Everyone seems to agree ICE won't promise that, and that this spells the end of ICE contracts in Virginia. https://boltsmag.org/virginia-bill-on-local-contracts-with-ice/
Hungary’s new governing majority , which won a supermajority in May and ousted Orban, now passed a constitutional amendment that, among other things, “removes Constitutional Court judges who are over the age of 70.” https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp8r002gdevo
Troy Jackson it is — officially https://mainemorningstar.com/2026/07/25/troy-jackson-officially-clinches-maine-democratic-u-s-senate-nomination/
NEW: After the Civil War, Congress readmitted the southern states under a key condition: don't expand felony disenfranchisement.
But the states quickly violated their promise & weaponized criminal statutes to skew elections.
It finally caught up with one of them this year.
Fascinating, fascinating read: https://boltsmag.org/readmission-acts-and-felony-disenfranchisement/
NEW: We invited the author of a brand new book on the Census to answer questions from our Bolts readers.
So now we want to hear from you: What do you want to know about the inner workings of the Census?
About how politics shapes it, & how it shapes politics?
Let us know! https://boltsmag.org/how-the-census-shapes-politics-send-us-your-questions/
All of our personal data is increasingly tracked & surveilled. A new book (“Your Data Will Be Used Against You”) breaks it down.
We asked its author, @ProfFerguson@mastodon.lawprofs.org, if he'd answer your questions on the risks & what it means for politics & liberties. He agreed.
So ask him anything!
NEW: It's the busiest election month to far, featuring Trump's revenge tour against many Republicans; 5 supreme court races; & key contests from mayor to sheriff.
Enter my guide to the *100* elections to watch in May.
This Tuesday is already busy, & it all escalates on the 19th.
Explore! https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/may-2026-elections-guide/
