Since Jeannette Rankin became the first woman elected to Congress in 1916, the numbers game for women in elected office has been marked by largely glacial progress. But a new report lays out the extent to which women and people of color have gained ground in elections around the country […] Read more »
The Supreme Court is deciding a gerrymandering case. Here’s the social science that the justices need to know.
… One key question before the Supreme Court is whether there are standards to detect an extreme partisan gerrymander. During oral arguments this year, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. asked, “How do you determine whether [a particular plan] is constitutional?” In fact, the five federal courts that have struck down […] Read more »
Alabama state legislators are wrong about their voters’ opinions on abortion
Alabama’s law banning abortions even in the case of rape and incest has attracted big headlines. But the state is not alone in trying to all but eliminate abortion rights. Since the beginning of the year, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Utah have passed similar laws. But most […] Read more »
White Women Are Helping States Pass Abortion Restrictions
It’s common for critics of the new wave of state laws severely limiting access to abortion to say the measures are part of a Republican “war on women.” But strong support from most white women, especially those who identify as evangelical Christians, has helped Republicans dominate local government in the […] Read more »
Red, Green, and Blue: The Partisan Divide on Environmental Issues
This Element explores the growing party divisions on the environment in the United States. It draws upon quantitative and qualitative data from several decades of national and state politics. The study contributes theory to the party position change literature, showing that interest groups change parties, but in turn are changed […] Read more »
After Democrats Surged In 2018, Republican-Run States Eye New Curbs On Voting
After high turnout in last year’s midterm elections propelled Democrats to a new House majority and big gains in the states, several Republican-controlled state legislatures are attempting to change voting-related rules in ways that might reduce future voter turnout. … If enacted, these proposals could have an impact on future […] Read more »