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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 07/08/2026

Ramulus Mason was sentenced to life without parole due to North Carolina’s three-strikes law. As Bolts contributor @phillipvancesmith2.bsky.social explains, the man Mason shot insists that he shouldn’t still be in prison.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 04/08/2026

Bolts staff writer Alex Burness explains how Southern states ignored a Reconstruction-era law and manipulated the criminal legal system to prevent Black people from voting. This year, that has finally caught up with one state: Virginia.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 28/07/2026

During Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling’s tenure, total traffic stops per month dropped significantly. But our investigation with Injustice Watch finds that unreported traffic stops now account for more than half of that total. boltsmag.org/chicago...

A chart showing that half of traffic stops in Chicago in the last year were never reported.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 27/07/2026

Bolts staff writer @pascalsabino.bsky.social explains how law enforcement agencies across the country have installed Flock surveillance cameras in exchange for access to the company’s database, and how some local governments are now ending their contracts with the tech company.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 19/07/2026

Traffic stops by Chicago Police have decreased in recent years, but the proportion of those stops that have been unreported has gone up, our investigation with Injustice Watch found. boltsmag.org/chicago...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 30/06/2026

In March 2024, 412 detained immigrants had been in custody for more than a year. By March 2026, the last time ICE provided detention statistics, that number had risen to 2,220 people. Our new collaboration with The Lens Nola: boltsmag.org/louisia...

The number of people in ICE detention for more than a year grew five-fold from March 2024 to March 2026. The proportion of people who've been detained over a year has also grown, from 1% to over 3% of detainees.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 25/06/2026

The primary calendar marches on, with runoff elections in Louisiana this Saturday, and the crowded Colorado primaries on Tuesday. What should you be watching? Our election guide has you covered: boltsmag.org/whats-o...

A chart showing upcoming elections in Louisiana on June 27 and in Colorado on June 30.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 21/06/2026

If you haven’t filled out our reader survey yet, there’s still time! Any input you have on what makes our work stand out, and on what we could be doing better, will help us plan for the future. Let us know before the survey closes next week. www.surveymonkey.com...]

The 2026 Bolts reader survey. Click the link to share your thoughts!

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 21/06/2026

State supreme court elections happen differently across the country. This year, 13 states are holding retention elections, which are simple up-or-down votes to keep a judge on the bench. Nineteen states are holding regular elections. boltsmag.org/your-st...

All in all, 32 states are holding supreme court elections in 2026. These races will decide over 60 seats. Two states already resolved their contests—conservatives won in Arkansas, and liberals in Wisconsin. Nineteen states are holding regular elections for their supreme courts this year, meaning races where candidates can challenge incumbent judges or run for an open seat. How those work is straightforward; think of what you’re used to seeing for Congress or governor. But 13 states are holding retention elections, which are simple up-or-down votes, with no challengers, where voters decide if a judge who is already on the court should stay in office.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 19/06/2026

In Louisiana, which has more ICE lockups than almost any state, a crisis of prolonged detention is accelerating. Data suggests that the number of immigrants in ICE custody for more than a year has spiked five-fold since 2024. Our story with The Lens Nola: boltsmag.org/louisia...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 11/06/2026

🔔 Reminder: Our reader survey is still open! Complete the survey to tell us what you think about Bolts. Your responses will be incredibly helpful as we plan our future coverage. www.surveymonkey.com...]

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 08/06/2026

Do you know what supreme court elections you should watch this year? Explore our state-by-state guide to learn if your state has an election, and why it may matter. boltsmag.org/your-st...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 01/06/2026

Could we ask you for a favor? Our new reader survey gives you an opportunity to share your thoughts about our journalism. It should only take about 10 minutes (or less!) and your responses will be super helpful as we scope out our plans for the future: www.surveymonkey.com...]

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 27/05/2026

📣 We want to hear from you: Is there a Bolts story that has stuck with you? Are there topics we could be covering more? Share your thoughts about our work in our new reader survey. It should take 10 min or less, and we will read every response. www.surveymonkey.com...]

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 22/05/2026

Whittier, California, has long held its municipal elections separately from state contests, but in 2020, a state law forced it to align them, and turnout in the mayoral race spiked. But an appeals court promptly lifted the requirement. boltsmag.org/califor...

In Whittier, California, voter turnout is always higher in the fall. This graphic shows the number of ballots cast in springtime mayoral elections in Whittier compared to the ballots cast in November general elections.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 12/05/2026

In cities that hold municipal elections separately from state and national contests, turnout is typically low for local races. “This is a way that local politicians have built something that only works for them,” says an organizer in Whittier, California. boltsmag.org/califor...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 11/05/2026

Do you know what supreme court elections you should watch this year? Explore our state-by-state guide to learn if your state has an election, and why it may matter. boltsmag.org/your-st...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 09/05/2026

All in all, 32 states are holding supreme court elections this year, deciding over 60 seats. These courts could determine key issues including abortion access and redistricting across the country. Our new guide explores what’s at stake in each state: boltsmag.org/your-state-b...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 29/04/2026

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 20/04/2026

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 10/04/2026

Bolts staff writer @burness.bsky.social breaks down what you should know—and why you should care—about this week’s supreme court election in Wisconsin.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 31/03/2026

With New Jersey’s new ban on local partnerships with ICE, there are only four states governed by Democrats that still have local or state agencies with 287(g) contracts. boltsmag.org/new-jer...

California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington all have bans on participation in ICE's 287(g) program. Colorado, New York, Massachusetts, and Virginia all have Democratic trifectas, and at least one state or local agency that is enrolled in the 287(g) program.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 27/03/2026

New Jersey just joined nine other states—California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, Maine, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington—in banning local participation in ICE’s 287(g) program. It’s the fourth state to do so this year. boltsmag.org/new-jer...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 16/03/2026

In a new video, Lauren Gill explains how prosecutors in Iowa have relied on the practice of making defendants pay court fees in exchange for dismissing their charges. For a deeper dive, read her full story from last month: boltsmag.org/iowa-co...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 07/03/2026

ICE’s 287(g) program, which allows local and state law enforcement to assist the federal agency, has exploded in popularity in President Trump’s second term. A growing list of blue states has passed bans on participating in the program. boltsmag.org/marylan...

This map shows which states with full Democratic control in the state government have bans on 287(g) agreements. Maryland, Maine, and New Mexico join six other blue states—California, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Oregon, and Washington—in adopting laws to ban local and state agencies from partnering with ICE’s 287(g) program. New Jersey has a ban in place through an executive directive, though the state’s outgoing governor vetoed a bill that would have codified it into law in January. Four states under full Democratic control—Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia—still have local or state agencies that have joined the 287(g) program, though there is currently active legislation in at least three of those states to limit or end these contracts.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 26/02/2026

This year, Maryland, Maine, and New Mexico have joined six other blue states in banning local and state agencies from partnering with ICE in its 287(g) program. Four states under full Democratic control still have local or state agreements with ICE. boltsmag.org/marylan...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 18/02/2026

In a new video, Bolts staff writer Alex Burness shares what he found while reporting in Alaska, where American Samoan residents have faced prosecution for voting in their local elections.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 03/02/2026

Over 1,000 prosecutors are set to be elected in 2026—and our new review identifies the counties that are emerging as early hotspots. boltsmag.org/crimina...

This map displays the sheriff elections this year in jurisdictions with 500,000 or more residents and the states where at least 95 percent of counties are voting for sheriff.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 30/01/2026

Many sheriffs have joined ICE’s 287(g) program, which empowers their deputies to make immigration arrests. Of all the counties in the program, there are nine that opposed Donald Trump in 2024 and are electing their sheriff this year. boltsmag.org/crimina...

This map highlights nine counties that voted for Kamala Harris and are in the 287(g) program that are electing their sheriff in 2026. Those counties are: Gallatin County, Montana; Clark County, Nevada; Pulaski County, Arkansas; Shelby County, Tennessee; Haywood County, Tennessee; Frederick County, Maryland; Broome County, New York; Grafton County, New Hampshire; and Hillsborough County, New Hampshire.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 30/12/2025

Six states adopted new congressional maps this year, and a few more have started the process. So where does that leave the count of the overall partisan shift? You asked, we answered: boltsmag.org/mid-dec...

A table showing how many targeted seats got bluer (as measured based on the 2024 presidential race) versus redder since states have adopted new maps this year.

Across the six states that have adopted new maps, 7 seats have gotten bluer and 8-9 (depending on Missouri) have gotten redder.

Across the eight states that have begun or completed the redistricting process this year, 7-11 have gotten bluer (depending on Virginia) and 8-14 have gotten redder (depending on Florida and Missouri).

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 22/12/2025

After the 2025 elections, Democrats control both legislative chambers and the governorship in 16 states. The GOP holds this trifecta in 23 states, and 11 states have split governments. boltsmag.org/legisla...

A graphic showing each party's control of state governments. Democrats hold a trifecta—one-party control of both legislative chambers and the governorship—in 16 states. The GOP still holds a trifecta in 23 states, and 11 states now have divided governments (down one from last year).

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 16/12/2025

Throughout 2025, Democrats gained 25 state legislative seats that were held by the GOP—21 percent of the total. Their gains were spread across six states. boltsmag.org/legisla...

A chart outlining the results of state legislative elections in 2025. This year, Democrats in Virginia, New Jersey, Iowa, and Mississippi flipped multiple seats that were previously held by the GOP.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 12/12/2025

Bolts reporting on the results of state legislative elections this year was featured yesterday on MS NOW @arimelber.bsky.social. Watch the full video: www.ms.now/the-beat-... And read more in our reporting: boltsmag.org/legisla...

A screenshot of a segment from The Beat with Ari Melber on December 11, 2025. The text in this image reads:

NEW: 2025 STATE-LEVEL ELECTION BREAKDOWN

DEMS FLIPPED
25 GOP SEATS

GOP FLIPPED
0 DEM SEATS

Source: Bolts

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 12/11/2025

In this week's newsletter: A look at Democrats' historic election night and what the results mean for voting rights and immigration policy in several states. Plus, a list of downballot races whose results we've been following. mailchi.mp/boltsmag/...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 03/11/2025

In total, there are 15 contested prosecutor elections taking place across the country tomorrow. boltsmag.org/2025-pr...

A map showing cities or counties that are hosting a contested prosecutor race with multiple candidates in November, including Nassau County, New York; Bucks County, Pennsylvania; and Chesapeake, Virginia.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 03/11/2025

Under Mayor Eric Adams, NYPD leadership has pushed police to issue more civil summonses. Data on civil summonses issued by NYPD suggest that Black and Latinx communities remain disproportionately affected. boltsmag.org/under-e...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 01/11/2025

You sent us your questions about November’s elections and we answered. We respond to six reader questions, from the school board elections we are watching to what these elections could mean for next year's midterms. boltsmag.org/electio...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 01/11/2025

During his time in office, Mayor Eric Adams directed police to issue more civil summonses. In 2024 alone, New York City issued at least $2.3 million in fines through NYPD civil summonses, nearly double the previous year. boltsmag.org/under-e...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 16/10/2025

Since the start of Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell’s aggressive removal policy, city officials have seen a significant drop in the number of tent and RV encampments. Harrell’s opponent in this year’s race wants to ban most encampment sweeps. boltsmag.org/seattle...

Seattle officials have observed a significant drop in the number of tent and RV encampments since the start of mayor Bruce Harrell’s aggressive removal policy.

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 25/09/2025

Missouri’s referendum on minimum wage and paid sick leave last year won by a margin of 58 to 42 percent statewide. Under a proposal advanced by the GOP, it would have failed because it didn’t win more than 50 percent in every congressional district. boltsmag.org/missour...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 24/09/2025

Bolts reviewed available data from several major cities that elected their mayors in 2025 and found that turnout cratered. San Antonio’s expensive mayoral race in May dropped roughly 70 percent compared to the 2024 election. boltsmag.org/new-yor...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 10/09/2025

In cities that have elected their mayor so far this year, turnout has cratered compared to the 2024 presidential race—that much is not a surprise. A new analysis by Bolts shows just how much turnout dropped. boltsmag.org/new-yor...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 04/05/2025

A group in San Diego is patrolling neighborhoods to identify potential ICE presence. They keep watch for vehicles that may belong to federal agencies, and use livestreams, radios, and social media to keep communities informed. Learn more: boltsmag.org/how-vol...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 04/05/2025

Maryland’s Republican sheriffs have rushed to join ICE's 287(g) program this year. Now, more than 1.1 million Marylanders, nearly a fifth of the state, live in 287(g) counties. Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 27/04/2025

As Maryland’s Republican sheriffs have rushed to join ICE's 287(g) program, more than 1.1 million Marylanders, nearly a fifth of the state, now live in 287(g) counties. Learn more: boltsmag.org/marylan...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 20/04/2025

Dozens of cities are electing mayors and city councilors in 2025, from New York City to Minneapolis and Seattle. Here are the elections in cities of at least 250,000 residents. boltsmag.org/2025-cr...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 29/03/2025

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 24/03/2025

Today, the Supreme Court is hearing a case that'll test the Voting Rights Act; it's centered around Louisiana's congressional map. This was the first of our 'eight cases to watch in 2025,' in our preview of voting rights legal battles this year. Revisit: boltsmag.org/voting-...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 26/01/2025

2025 carries high stakes for policing and criminal justice, including immigration enforcement. There will be roughly 160 elections for prosecutor and sheriff this year. Most are concentrated in just four East Coast states. Here's what to know: boltsmag.org/2025-cr...

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Bolts @boltsmag.org · 15/12/2024

After the 2024 elections, who will run each state’s government? Bolts sums it up in one graph: boltsmag.org/legisla...

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