Nathaniel Rakich
@baseballot.bsky.social
Managing editor @votebeat.org. Previously senior editor and senior elections analyst at FiveThirtyEight. Email, don't DM: nrakich at votebeat dot org
Pinned
Nathaniel Rakich
@baseballot.bsky.social
· Nov 11
New job alert! Today I started as the new managing editor of @votebeat.org, a nonprofit news site that covers election administration and voting rights issues.
My favorite part of WHITE CHRISTMAS is the throwaway joke about how Republican Vermont is. “Maybe we can dig up a Democrat!” Sounds silly now, but at the time (1954), a Democrat had *never* won a presidential or Senate race in Vermont.
December 25, 2025 at 2:15 AM
My favorite part of WHITE CHRISTMAS is the throwaway joke about how Republican Vermont is. “Maybe we can dig up a Democrat!” Sounds silly now, but at the time (1954), a Democrat had *never* won a presidential or Senate race in Vermont.
Checking in on @notmrtibbs.com's #HOF Tracker. With 37 ballots known, Andruw Jones & Carlos Beltrán are at 76% each. It's early, but that kind of number is not going to cut it given the dropoff we always see from public to private ballots. tracker.fyi
December 22, 2025 at 2:26 PM
Checking in on @notmrtibbs.com's #HOF Tracker. With 37 ballots known, Andruw Jones & Carlos Beltrán are at 76% each. It's early, but that kind of number is not going to cut it given the dropoff we always see from public to private ballots. tracker.fyi
This seems like a steal for the White Sox. I know teams are reportedly worried about his K rate, but when has that stopped them from loading up on all-or-nothing talent?
BREAKING: Third baseman Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $34 million contract, sources tell ESPN. Murakami, 25, is the single-season home run champion in Japan and will bring his prodigious power to a rebuilding White Sox team.
December 21, 2025 at 4:47 PM
This seems like a steal for the White Sox. I know teams are reportedly worried about his K rate, but when has that stopped them from loading up on all-or-nothing talent?
Rough year for Stefanik…
Elise Stefanik announces she is dropping out of the race for New York governor and won’t run for reelection to the House
December 19, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Rough year for Stefanik…
Wyoming low-key has some of the most interesting politics around, and now they’re going to have an open Senate seat, a governor who might challenge state law to seek a third term, and a far-right House member who might leave behind an open seat to primary him.
Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyo., says she won’t run for re-election. Opens on a safe red Senate seat in Wyoming.
December 19, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Wyoming low-key has some of the most interesting politics around, and now they’re going to have an open Senate seat, a governor who might challenge state law to seek a third term, and a far-right House member who might leave behind an open seat to primary him.
In essence, this would put the federal government in charge of state voter rolls—a major break from precedent.
From @jonshorman.bsky.social: The U.S. Department of Justice has sent a confidential draft agreement to more than a dozen states that would require election officials to remove any alleged ineligible voters identified during a federal review of their voter rolls.
stateline.org/2025/12/18/t...
stateline.org/2025/12/18/t...
Trump's DOJ offers states 'confidential' deal to wipe voters flagged by feds as ineligible • Stateline
The U.S. Department of Justice has sent confidential draft agreements on voter data sharing to more than a dozen states, part of the Trump administration’s effort to obtain unredacted voter rolls, wit...
stateline.org
December 19, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In essence, this would put the federal government in charge of state voter rolls—a major break from precedent.
Reposted by Nathaniel Rakich
It's mailbag time! Inside Elections is doing a mailbag podcast episode before we head into the holidays. Do you have a burning question about ghosts of elections past, present, or future?
Drop it below or send it to jacob@insideelections [dot] com and we'll try to answer it on the show!
Drop it below or send it to jacob@insideelections [dot] com and we'll try to answer it on the show!
a man in a green and black shirt is sitting in a chair holding a yellow box .
ALT: a man in a green and black shirt is sitting in a chair holding a yellow box .
media.tenor.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:18 PM
It's mailbag time! Inside Elections is doing a mailbag podcast episode before we head into the holidays. Do you have a burning question about ghosts of elections past, present, or future?
Drop it below or send it to jacob@insideelections [dot] com and we'll try to answer it on the show!
Drop it below or send it to jacob@insideelections [dot] com and we'll try to answer it on the show!
The NC Board of Elections has ordered a redo of the Morehead City mayoral election.
The race came down to 1 vote, but at least 2 people were improperly turned away from the polls: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
The race came down to 1 vote, but at least 2 people were improperly turned away from the polls: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
December 17, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The NC Board of Elections has ordered a redo of the Morehead City mayoral election.
The race came down to 1 vote, but at least 2 people were improperly turned away from the polls: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
The race came down to 1 vote, but at least 2 people were improperly turned away from the polls: www.wunc.org/politics/202...
Iowa state Rep. JD Scholten is retiring from professional baseball. www.radioiowa.com/2025/12/17/s...
December 17, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Iowa state Rep. JD Scholten is retiring from professional baseball. www.radioiowa.com/2025/12/17/s...
The players I would support in this year’s #HOF election, in order:
1. A-Rod
2. Manny
3. Utley
4. Beltrán
5. Andruw
6. Abreu
7. K-Rod
8. Hamels
9. Pettitte
This is the first time since I've been following Hall elections that I'd vote for fewer than 10 candidates!
1. A-Rod
2. Manny
3. Utley
4. Beltrán
5. Andruw
6. Abreu
7. K-Rod
8. Hamels
9. Pettitte
This is the first time since I've been following Hall elections that I'd vote for fewer than 10 candidates!
December 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The players I would support in this year’s #HOF election, in order:
1. A-Rod
2. Manny
3. Utley
4. Beltrán
5. Andruw
6. Abreu
7. K-Rod
8. Hamels
9. Pettitte
This is the first time since I've been following Hall elections that I'd vote for fewer than 10 candidates!
1. A-Rod
2. Manny
3. Utley
4. Beltrán
5. Andruw
6. Abreu
7. K-Rod
8. Hamels
9. Pettitte
This is the first time since I've been following Hall elections that I'd vote for fewer than 10 candidates!
Remember the super-tight mayor's race in Hamtramck, MI? Well, we got new alleged details this week about what happened to disqualify 37 potentially decisive ballots. 🧵
December 12, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Remember the super-tight mayor's race in Hamtramck, MI? Well, we got new alleged details this week about what happened to disqualify 37 potentially decisive ballots. 🧵
Wow. Indiana's proposed congressional map goes down in flames in the state Senate, 31-19. The state's two Democratic seats will remain.
December 11, 2025 at 9:38 PM
Wow. Indiana's proposed congressional map goes down in flames in the state Senate, 31-19. The state's two Democratic seats will remain.
Reposted by Nathaniel Rakich
Weird quick of how the Indiana Senate votes:
If the gerrymandering roll call is 25-25 today, the YES wins because the LG breaks the tie, & gets it to 26-25.
But if it ends something like 25-23 for the yes... then it fails! LG cannot vote since there's no tie, & it doesn't get the 26 it needs.
If the gerrymandering roll call is 25-25 today, the YES wins because the LG breaks the tie, & gets it to 26-25.
But if it ends something like 25-23 for the yes... then it fails! LG cannot vote since there's no tie, & it doesn't get the 26 it needs.
December 11, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Weird quick of how the Indiana Senate votes:
If the gerrymandering roll call is 25-25 today, the YES wins because the LG breaks the tie, & gets it to 26-25.
But if it ends something like 25-23 for the yes... then it fails! LG cannot vote since there's no tie, & it doesn't get the 26 it needs.
If the gerrymandering roll call is 25-25 today, the YES wins because the LG breaks the tie, & gets it to 26-25.
But if it ends something like 25-23 for the yes... then it fails! LG cannot vote since there's no tie, & it doesn't get the 26 it needs.
Reposted by Nathaniel Rakich
CONFIRMED: Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, will be the new mayor of Miami.
She'll be the city's first Democratic mayor since the 1990s. She flipped the office from Republicans, and does so easily. She leads the DeSantis-endorsed Emilio González 59/41 right now with most ballots counted.
She'll be the city's first Democratic mayor since the 1990s. She flipped the office from Republicans, and does so easily. She leads the DeSantis-endorsed Emilio González 59/41 right now with most ballots counted.
December 10, 2025 at 12:18 AM
CONFIRMED: Eileen Higgins, a Democrat, will be the new mayor of Miami.
She'll be the city's first Democratic mayor since the 1990s. She flipped the office from Republicans, and does so easily. She leads the DeSantis-endorsed Emilio González 59/41 right now with most ballots counted.
She'll be the city's first Democratic mayor since the 1990s. She flipped the office from Republicans, and does so easily. She leads the DeSantis-endorsed Emilio González 59/41 right now with most ballots counted.
Reposted by Nathaniel Rakich
In a stealth upset, Democrat Eric Gisler flips a GOP-held Georgia House seat spanning parts of Athens and Oconee County. Gisler won 39% of vote last November. He captured 51% tonight to defeat a Republican backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and other GOP leaders.
December 10, 2025 at 2:30 AM
In a stealth upset, Democrat Eric Gisler flips a GOP-held Georgia House seat spanning parts of Athens and Oconee County. Gisler won 39% of vote last November. He captured 51% tonight to defeat a Republican backed by Gov. Brian Kemp and other GOP leaders.
The Dallas County, TX, GOP says it’s going to hand-count ballots in the March primary.
That’s a big deal because hand counts take much longer and are less accurate than machine counts—and #TXsen will be one of the most closely watched primaries in the country.
That’s a big deal because hand counts take much longer and are less accurate than machine counts—and #TXsen will be one of the most closely watched primaries in the country.
December 9, 2025 at 3:41 PM
The Dallas County, TX, GOP says it’s going to hand-count ballots in the March primary.
That’s a big deal because hand counts take much longer and are less accurate than machine counts—and #TXsen will be one of the most closely watched primaries in the country.
That’s a big deal because hand counts take much longer and are less accurate than machine counts—and #TXsen will be one of the most closely watched primaries in the country.
Reposted by Nathaniel Rakich
Important news in this piece:
—Missouri organizers say they’ve collected over 300,000 signatures to block the GOP gerrymander. (They have until Thursday to submit roughly 110,000 valid ones.)
—Federal judge rejects GOP lawsuit to toss the petition. missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/f...
—Missouri organizers say they’ve collected over 300,000 signatures to block the GOP gerrymander. (They have until Thursday to submit roughly 110,000 valid ones.)
—Federal judge rejects GOP lawsuit to toss the petition. missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/f...
Federal judge rejects Missouri AG’s push to block referendum on gerrymandered map • Missouri Independent
A federal judge Monday refused to back Missouri’s Republican leaders efforts to block a statewide vote on a gerrymandered congressional map.
missouriindependent.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Important news in this piece:
—Missouri organizers say they’ve collected over 300,000 signatures to block the GOP gerrymander. (They have until Thursday to submit roughly 110,000 valid ones.)
—Federal judge rejects GOP lawsuit to toss the petition. missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/f...
—Missouri organizers say they’ve collected over 300,000 signatures to block the GOP gerrymander. (They have until Thursday to submit roughly 110,000 valid ones.)
—Federal judge rejects GOP lawsuit to toss the petition. missouriindependent.com/2025/12/08/f...
Indiana’s proposed GOP gerrymander has passed committee in the state Senate.
December 9, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Indiana’s proposed GOP gerrymander has passed committee in the state Senate.
My first article for @votebeat.org is on—what else?—redistricting. www.votebeat.org/2025/12/08/2...
December 8, 2025 at 1:29 PM
My first article for @votebeat.org is on—what else?—redistricting. www.votebeat.org/2025/12/08/2...
All three steroid-linked candidates got less than 5 votes, meaning they can’t be considered the next time this particular #HOF committee meets.
Jeff Kent elected to the Hall of Fame while the four candidates I supported were stiffed and won’t be eligible in 2029. This is a disappointment to say the least
December 8, 2025 at 1:09 AM
All three steroid-linked candidates got less than 5 votes, meaning they can’t be considered the next time this particular #HOF committee meets.
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are on this ballot, though Jeff Kent or Dale Murphy are likelier inductees.
Three hundred fifty-one baseball legends are immortalized in Cooperstown. Who will join them?
Find out tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLB Network as we announce the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee voting results.
Find out tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET on MLB Network as we announce the Contemporary Baseball Era Committee voting results.
December 7, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are on this ballot, though Jeff Kent or Dale Murphy are likelier inductees.
Reposted by Nathaniel Rakich
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December 3, 2025 at 6:20 PM
You can help Bolts continue to provide crucial coverage of local elections. Here's how:
- Repost this = I donate $1.
- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
- Repost this = I donate $1.
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- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
Genuinely suspenseful whether the Indiana Senate has the votes to pass it. I’m tracking senators’ positions here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
December 5, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Genuinely suspenseful whether the Indiana Senate has the votes to pass it. I’m tracking senators’ positions here: docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
In the NYC election that really matters, Aaron Judge got 11 write-in votes for #NYCmayor, while Pete Alonso got only 3. #Yankees #Mets vote.nyc/sites/defaul...
December 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
In the NYC election that really matters, Aaron Judge got 11 write-in votes for #NYCmayor, while Pete Alonso got only 3. #Yankees #Mets vote.nyc/sites/defaul...
FL Republicans are in a tricky spot on redistricting. To guard against federal racial gerrymandering lawsuits, it’d be helpful to say they’re redistricting solely for partisan gain…
December 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
FL Republicans are in a tricky spot on redistricting. To guard against federal racial gerrymandering lawsuits, it’d be helpful to say they’re redistricting solely for partisan gain…