Best Lacker Podcasts (2025)

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SCOTUS 2025-26 Term Preview: Tariffs, Voting Rights Act, Agency Power & More 23:15

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1d ago23:15

23:15

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 cases: challenges to Trump-era tariffs that test the scope of presidential authority over economic policy, a Voting Rights Act dispute from Louisiana involving claims of racial gerrymandering, an…

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Alaska Politics on the Ballot: Relocating the Capital, Oil Dividends, and RCV 17:45

5d ago17:45

17:45

On this episode: Alaska’s history with ballot measures stretches back before statehood and has produced some of the country’s most distinctive political experiments. In 1956, voters approved the “Tennessee Plan,” electing shadow representatives to lobby for statehood. In the 1970s, Alaskans twice approved relocating their capital out of Juneau—only…

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Senate Invokes ‘Nuclear Option’ to Fast Track Presidential Nominations 16:18

11d ago16:18

16:18

On this episode: Senate Republicans pushed through a major change to how presidential nominees are confirmed, lowering the threshold to a simple majority and allowing many nominees to be approved in large groups rather than one by one. The change applies to more than 1,200 positions across the federal government, including ambassadors, U.S. attorne…

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Can Congress Avoid a Government Shutdown? w/ Burgess Everett 15:49

15d ago15:49

15:49

On this episode: Congress faces another high-stakes deadline as the fiscal year draws to a close, and divisions over how to fund the government are coming to a head. Senate and House leaders are weighing their options as Democrats insist on health care provisions and other amendments, Republicans navigate internal disagreements, and President Trump…

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Prop 50, Explained — Inside California’s Redistricting Push 17:26

18d ago17:26

17:26

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 suspend the state’s independent redistricting commission and replace its maps with new, partisan-drawn districts. Supporters, led by Governor Gavin Newsom and Democratic allies, argue the chan…

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Previewing the High-Stakes Month Ahead in Congress w/ POLITICO's Nicholas Wu 17:02

20d ago17:02

17:02

On this episode: Congress has returned from its summer recess, but the break has done little to ease the challenges on their plate. At the top of the agenda is a fast-approaching deadline to fund the government, with debates inside the Republican caucus shaping what kind of proposal might move forward. Democrats face their own set of pressures, bal…

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What’s it really like to serve on a local school board? 20:44

30d ago20:44

20:44

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 board members across 33 states. The conversations revealed struggles that rarely make headlines, including the challenges boards face in accessing reliable data on student achievement, how polit…

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Arizona's Ballot Measure History 18:04

1M ago18:04

18:04

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. The state has also considered more immigration-related measures than any other state, reflecting its role on the frontlines of national debates. Former Host Geoff Pallay returns for the lates…

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A Brief History of the Federal Reserve w/ Former Fed President Jeffrey Lacker 24:39

1M ago24:39

24:39

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 powerful institutions. Former Richmond Fed President Jeffrey Lacker joins host Norm Leahy to trace that story—from the banking panics that led to its creation in 1913 to JP Morgan’s role in co…

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How ’26 Secretary of State Elections Could Change Election Oversight and Administration 21:01

1M ago21:01

21:01

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 important contests of the cycle. In most states, secretaries of state oversee elections, giving them direct influence over how voting is administered and results are certified. With 26 seats on the …

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Texas Redistricting Battle Spreads Nationwide 30:06

1M ago30:06

30:06

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 five additional Republican-leaning districts. In response, some Democratic legislators have left the state to block a quorum, delaying a vote. To help bring you up to speed, we this episode feat…

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Detroit mayoral primary results: Council President Sheffield dominates nine-candidate field 15:37

2M ago15:37

15:37

On this episode: Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield secured 51% of the vote in the city's August 5th mayoral primary, significantly exceeding pre-election polling that predicted she would finish with around 35-36%. Sheffield will face Reverend Solomon Kinloch, who finished second with 17%, in November's general election. The nine-candida…

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Seattle mayoral primary results: Incumbent Bruce Harrell trails challenger Katie Wilson 14:21

2M ago14:21

14:21

On this episode: Seattle's August 5th mayoral primary produced unexpected results, with incumbent Bruce Harrell—endorsed by the governor and congressional delegation—currently trailing progressive organizer Katie Wilson. The city hasn't re-elected a mayor since 2005, and this tight race looks as if that pattern could continue. As mail-in ballots ar…

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Office Hours w/ Ballotpedia Founder and CEO Leslie Graves - Ep. #2 15:20

2M ago15:20

15:20

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 Ballotpedia does its work, ranging from editorial decisions and coverage philosophy to broader questions about civic engagement. Each episode builds on themes from Leslie’s Pathfinder column…

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Michigan’s ballot measure history — from margarine wars to marijuana legalization 22:17

2M ago22:17

22:17

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 Mississippi to adopt direct democracy, Michigan has seen voters reject income tax proposals six times over 50 years and nearly opt out of daylight saving time by just 490 votes. The state beca…

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Nebraska's Nonpartisan Registration Surge: Why Voters Are Ditching Party Labels 19:03

2M ago19:03

19:03

On this episode: Nebraska is the only state with a unicameral, nonpartisan legislature—and it's creating some fascinating political dynamics. Former state Senator Laura Ebke joins us to break down how nonpartisan voter registration is skyrocketing while Democratic registration plummets, with nonpartisans potentially outnumbering Democrats in the ne…

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Split ticket voting in presidential election years falls to lows not seen since the 1920s in 2024 election 11:25

2M ago11:25

11:25

On this episode: Split ticket voting—where voters cast ballots for candidates from different political parties—has declined dramatically since peaking in the 1980s, according to new analysis of over 100 years of election data. Mixed party outcomes, where states elect different parties for president and down-ballot races, reached historic highs in 1…

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Indiana Becomes 5th State to Require Party Labels for School Board Candidates 16:15

2M ago16:15

16:15

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 school boards nationwide. Under the new law, candidates must run with party labels, joining four other states that mandate partisan elections while 41 states continue to require nonpartisan ra…

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Washington D.C.'s First Council Expulsion: Trayon White Runs to Reclaim his Seat After Federal Corruption Charges 12:45

3M ago12:45

12:45

On this episode: The Washington DC Council faces an unprecedented situation as Ward 8 holds a special election on July 15th following the expulsion of Trayon White, the first council member ever removed from office in the district's history. White, who was charged with federal bribery in August after allegedly being caught on video accepting cash e…

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SCOTUS Decision Recap + What to watch over the summer on the emergency docket 20:10

3M ago20:10

20:10

On this episode: The Supreme Court’s recent term produced decisions affecting nationwide injunctions, healthcare access, and parental rights. Zachary Shemtob, Executive Editor of SCOTUSblog, outlines rulings that barred universal injunctions in Trump v. CASA, upheld Tennessee’s ban on gender-affirming care for minors in United States v. Skrmetti, a…

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Office Hours with Ballotpedia Founder and CEO Leslie Graves 15:20

3M ago15:20

15:20

On this episode: To mark our 200th episode, Ballotpedia Founder and CEO Leslie Graves joins Host Norm Leahy for the debut of our new monthly series Office Hours. Leslie outlines her ambitious vision to cover all 520,000 elected offices in the U.S. by 2034, explains the mission behind Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey, and makes the case for…

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North Carolina's ballot measure history 19:26

3M ago19:26

19:26

On this episode: In this installment of our monthly ballot measure series, Geoff Pallay and Victoria Rose trace the history of North Carolina’s statewide ballot measures—from 19th-century amendments on slavery and segregation to recent court battles over voter ID laws. They explore why the state has never adopted a citizen initiative process, how i…

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NYC Mayoral Primary 2025: Mamdani, Cuomo, RCV, and the Democrats’ Next Chapter 22:10

3M ago22:10

22:10

On this episode: New York City voters head to the polls for the Democratic mayoral primary on Tuesday, June 24 – with early voting totals already exceeding what the city saw in 2021. Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is attempting a political comeback, while Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani has gained traction with a progressive message and growing grassro…

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The ABA’s historical role in vetting federal judges 19:12

3M ago19:12

19:12

On this episode: For over 75 years, the American Bar Association has played a key role in evaluating the professional qualifications of federal judicial nominees. But its involvement has long been a source of debate—particularly among Republicans, with concerns about bias dating back to the Reagan administration. In this episode, University of Rich…

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NJ Primary Results — Ciattarelli vs Sherrill matchup set for Governor 22:58

4M ago22:58

22:58

On this episode: New Jersey’s gubernatorial race is taking shape following a pair of high-profile primaries on June 10th that set the stage for one of 2025’s most closely watched elections. Democrat Mikie Sherrill secured her party’s nomination with broad statewide support, while Republican Jack Ciattarelli dominated his field with the backing of D…

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How Presidential power has evolved since America’s founding 19:43

4M ago19:43

19:43

On this episode: Constitutional scholar Sai Prakash of the University of Virginia joins us to explore the origins, evolution, and modern realities of presidential power. Drawing on historical debates from the Constitutional Convention, Prakash outlines how early framers envisioned a limited executive—primarily tasked with enforcing laws—and how tha…

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Kyle Kondik on how House ‘sorting’ will impact the ‘26 midterms 17:34

4M ago17:34

17:34

On this episode: House majorities have grown razor-thin in recent elections, with three cycles in a row decided by just a handful of seats. Kyle Kondik of Sabato’s Crystal Ball joins to explain how voter sorting, redistricting changes, and a shrinking battlefield are shaping the odds for 2026. He breaks down why historical midterm trends may be les…

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Congressional retirements and departures — an early look 17:00

4M ago17:00

17:00

On this episode: As of May 6, 2025, fourteen members of Congress had announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. This group includes five senators—three Democrats and one Republican—and nine representatives, comprising four Democrats and five Republicans. Among the House members, one Democrat is retiring from public office, while the others a…

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How school districts are preparing for a tough budget season 19:34

4M ago19:34

19:34

On this episode: As school districts adjust to the end of federal COVID relief funding and new policies under President Donald Trump’s administration, many are navigating budget shortfalls, shifting enrollment trends, and tough financial trade-offs. Dr. Marguerite Roza — Director of the Edunomics Lab at Georgetown University — joins the show to bre…

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What does the Administrative State ACTUALLY do? 16:02

4M ago16:02

16:02

On this episode: From local zoning laws to federal education funding, rules created by the administrative state shape daily life in more ways than most people realize. Amy Handlin — a new member of Ballotpedia’s Policy team — unpacks how the modern regulatory system developed in response to 20th-century corruption, how it expanded through citizen d…

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Reconciliation, Explained (pt. 2) — What to watch as Congress negotiates Trump's budget bill 17:46

4M ago17:46

17:46

On this episode: Congress is once again turning to the powerful tool of budget reconciliation to try and pass major legislation — and with razor-thin majorities in both chambers, every vote counts for the Republican coalition trying to pass President Donald Trump’s ‘big, beautiful bill.’ Michael Thorning, director of the Structural Democracy Projec…

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Virginia ‘25 Elections to Watch 26:43

4M ago26:43

26:43

On this episode: Virginia may hold elections every year, but the 2025 contests are shaping up to be especially exciting. With races for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates, the state is once again a key barometer for national political sentiment. The Virginia Scope’s Brandon Jarvis joins Ball…

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Oregon's role as a pioneer of direct democracy 21:50

5M ago21:50

21:50

On this episode: Oregon’s long and lively ballot measure history takes center stage as we explore how the state became a pioneer in direct democracy in the latest edition of our Monthly Historical Ballot Measures series. With more initiatives than nearly any other state, Oregon has tackled everything from salmon fishing rules and death penalty deba…

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Crypto policy w/ former CFTC Chairman Chris Giancarlo 35:27

5M ago35:27

35:27

On this episode: Cryptocurrency has evolved from a niche experiment into a disruptive force with global implications—and U.S. financial institutions, lawmakers, and regulators are working to establish clear crypto-related policy. In this episode, we unpack the state of crypto policy in 2025: The political realignment around digital assets, the rapi…

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Checking in on Trump's judicial nominations 8:20

5M ago8:20

8:20

On this episode: President Trump has made his first judicial nomination since returning to office, selecting a candidate for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit. Most presidents make few judicial nominations in their first 100 days, and Trump’s current pace aligns with historical trends dating back to Reagan. While his first term (and f…

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From town halls to calling gas stations — What it takes to cover local elections 22:21

5M ago22:21

22:21

On this episode: What does it really take to track down local election information? On this episode of On the Ballot, Ballotpedia’s Thomas Grobben joins host Doug Kronaizl for a behind-the-scenes look at the quirky, persistent, and sometimes unexpected lengths our team goes to in order to gather candidate data from all corners of the country. From …

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Why do some states report election results faster than others? 28:26

5M ago28:26

28:26

On this episode: States don’t all count ballots at the same speed, and the reasons why are more complicated than they might seem. In some places, unofficial election results are nearly complete by the end of Election Day. In others, it can take election officials days or even weeks to finish the count. Behind the scenes, policies around ballot dead…

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Ohio's Parent's Bill of Rights + Shifting Power Between States and School Boards 30:29

5M ago30:29

30:29

On this episode: We explore how authority over public education is shifting across the country—starting with Ohio’s new “Parents' Bill of Rights” law. Axios Columbus reporter Alissa Widman Neese breaks down the law’s controversial provisions, reactions from educators and lawmakers, and where the debate might go next. Then, Ballotpedia staff writer …

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Prop 65, the 1970's Tax Revolt, and California's long, influential ballot measures legacy 22:56

5M ago22:56

22:56

On this episode: The 3rd installment of our Historical Ballot Measures Factbook series! A deep dive into the Golden State’s long and influential history with ballot measures. Former host and ballot measure expert Victoria Rose returns to help us explore how California became a national trendsetter in direct democracy—covering everything from Prop 6…

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English as the Official Language: Where it already is, and the impact of Trump's Executive Order 25:09

6M ago25:09

25:09

On this episode: In 2025, Donald Trump issued an executive order declaring English the official language of the United States. Around the same time, Idaho lawmakers approved a constitutional amendment to do the same at the state level—setting the stage for a 2026 ballot measure. But this push for English-only laws has a much longer history, one sha…

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April 1st Election Results: Crawford claims Wisconsin Supreme Court vacancy, GOP holds Florida seats 24:57

6M ago24:57

24:57

On this episode: Breaking down the high-stakes April 1st elections, featuring two of the most closely watched contests since last November. First, Wisconsin Public Radio’s Anya van Wagtendonk joins us to unpack Judge Susan Crawford’s double-digit victory in the nation’s most expensive judicial race in history, what drove the record-breaking turnout…

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Schimel vs Crawford: Wisconsin Supreme Court election preview 17:49

6M ago17:49

17:49

On this episode: With Incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley retiring, the stakes in Wisconsin's April 1st election to select her successor couldn’t be higher — determining whether the court maintains its current liberal majority or shifts to a conservative 4-3 split. The candidates, former Republican Attorney General and current circuit court judge B…

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Election law legislation — State policy developments to watch 25:51

6M ago25:51

25:51

On this episode: With every state legislature in session this year, lawmakers have introduced thousands of bills aimed at reshaping how Americans vote. Some states are tightening voter registration requirements, while others are expanding mail-in voting and ranked-choice elections. Partisan control is driving many of these changes, but some surpris…

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Ohio’s Ballot Measure Legacy: Constitutional Conventions, Prohibition, and Policy Shifts 21:34

6M ago21:34

21:34

On this episode: Ohio’s ballot measure history is shaped by constitutional debates, major policy shifts, and battles over direct democracy. The 1912 constitutional convention laid the foundation for the state's initiative and referendum process, fueling a surge in ballot activity. The 1919 referendum on Prohibition attempted to overturn the state l…

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What happens if the federal government shuts down? 18:46

7M ago18:46

18:46

On this episode: Legislators are in the midst of negotiating a bill to keep the federal government up and running through September. Key debates and votes are playing out over the course of this week, with a ‘partial’ government shutdown possibly starting as early as this Friday, March 14th, if Congress can’t agree on a path forward. From federal e…

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Universal school choice's impact on rural education 22:53

7M ago22:53

22:53

On this episode: As of March 2025, 15 states have enacted universal private school choice programs, allowing all students to access public funds for private schools, homeschooling, and other alternatives to traditional public education. These programs—ranging from education savings accounts (ESAs) to tax credit scholarships and vouchers—have become…

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Indiana's only town still governed by a charter 10:06

7M ago10:06

10:06

On this episode: On Monday, March 3, voters in the Town of Vernon, Ind., — population 236 — casted their ballots in the state’s ONLY regularly-scheduled election of the year. The reason Vernon is such an outlier is because it is the only town in the state still governed by a charter, which was enacted in 1851, rather than state law. Here’s what Ver…

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WI Ballot Spotlight: Adding voter ID to the constitution + Adopting the citizen initiative? 17:08

7M ago17:08

17:08

On this episode: Democratic Governor Tony Evers recently proposed adding a citizen initiative process to the state’s constitution. It’s been more than thirty years since the last state adopted the citizen initiative process in the 90s, so it’s unlikely that Wisconsin or any other state will do so this year. But Evers bringing it up is noteworthy on…

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How compacts connect states across borders through policy 17:38

7M ago17:38

17:38

On this episode of our ‘Explained’ series: Interstate compacts are little-known yet powerful agreements that allow states to work together on critical issues like healthcare, occupational licensing, and transportation. These agreements help states streamline policies, reduce bureaucratic barriers, and even improve access to essential services. But …

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Majority at stake in Wisconsin Supreme Court election 12:44

8M ago12:44

12:44

On this episode:With Incumbent Justice Ann Walsh Bradley retiring, the stakes in Wisconsin's April 1st election to select her successor couldn’t be higher — determining whether the court maintains its current liberal majority or shifts to a conservative 4-3 split. The candidates, former Republican Attorney General and current circuit court judge Br…