State and Local Elections

Dr. Harry Edwards is inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in San Francisco on May 15, 2025.

Dr. Harry Edwards on the NAACP’s Call to Boycott Gerrymandering States Dr. Harry Edwards on the NAACP’s Call to Boycott Gerrymandering States

The 83-year-old sociologist and activist reflects on what is missing in the current effort to organize athletes politically.

May 27, 2026 / Dave Zirin

Civil rights, union, and religious leaders from New York City rally approximately 1,200 demonstrators to board a dedicated Pennsylvania Railroad train from New York Penn Station to Washington Union Station in Washington, DC, and march in support of the civil rights bill that would become the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

We Forgot What It Took to Gain Freedom We Forgot What It Took to Gain Freedom

The assault on voting rights should remind us.

May 22, 2026 / Analilia Mejia

US Representative Katie Porter (D-CA), businessman Tom Steyer, businessman Steve Hilton, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, former US Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan look on during a CNN California Governor Primary Debate at East Los Angeles College on May 5, 2026, in Monterey Park, California. CNN hosted a debate with seven of the top contenders in the race for California Governor. The debate was moderated by CNN anchors Kaitlan Collins and Elex Michaelson. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Memo to California’s Next Governor: Rural Places Matter Memo to California’s Next Governor: Rural Places Matter

Rural communities are crucial to the state—and the country. Why do they get so little attention?

May 21, 2026 / Erica Etelson

Demolishing Landmarks

Demolishing Landmarks Demolishing Landmarks

Demolishing fair elections.

May 20, 2026 / OppArt / Clay Bennett

Save Tony Carruthers

Save Tony Carruthers Save Tony Carruthers

Liberty and Justins.

May 15, 2026

Mayor Mamdani presents his FY27 Executive Budget at City Hall in May 2026.

Mamdani’s Balancing Act Mamdani’s Balancing Act

The mayor’s new budget finds him making deals—while trying to keep his promises.

May 14, 2026 / D.D. Guttenplan

Democratic South Carolina State Representatives Hamilton Grant and Annie McDaniel look over a proposed congressional map during a meeting in the Blatt Building at the South Carolina State Capitol in Columbia on Friday, May 8, 2026. Some observers worry that the recent wave of gerrymandering across the country will help deepen polarization among voters and entrench lawmakers in a way that makes them less accountable to constituents.

The Right Wants to Erase Minority Representation. We’ll Register Millions to Stop Them. The Right Wants to Erase Minority Representation. We’ll Register Millions to Stop Them.


Their insult will arouse us—and put Republican incumbents’ own seats at risk.

May 13, 2026 / Yusef D. Jackson

Analilia Mejia, US Democratic House candidate for New Jersey, arrives to speak during an election night event at Montclair Art Museum during a New Jersey special election in Montclair, New Jersey, on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

Democratic Voters Are Clear: It’s Time to Fight Democratic Voters Are Clear: It’s Time to Fight

The party’s base has sent the same message in primary after primary: playing it safe won't cut it in 2026.

May 12, 2026 / Katrina vanden Heuvel and John Nichols

US Senate candidate from Maine Graham Platner during a campaign event with the Maine AFL-CIO in Portland on May 1, 2026.

Who’s Funding the Super PAC Attacking Graham Platner? Who’s Funding the Super PAC Attacking Graham Platner?

A flood of billionaire money is pouring into Maine’s Senate race to stop a populist challenger.

May 12, 2026 / Donald Shaw

A mobile billboard in Washington, DC, sponsored by The Frontline, a coalition including the Working Families Party, the Movement for Black Lives, Rising Majority, and United We Dream

How the Working Families Party Can Promote Black Political Independence How the Working Families Party Can Promote Black Political Independence

In many state and local races, the WFP ballot line has helped Black candidates win office without falling in line with the Democratic political establishment.

May 12, 2026 / Anthony Conwright

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