On this episode: In this two-part episode, we examine what the November 4th elections tell us about voter turnout, shifts within key states, and how voters are engaging ahead of 2026.

In the first half, AP data reporter Maya Sweedler walks through notable patterns in New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City — including precinct-level movement, demographic trends, and how the Associated Press visualizes election results using population-focused mapping. She highlights where turnout was unusually high, how different communities participated, and which long-term trends held or broke in 2025.

In the second half, Vote.org CEO Andrea Haley discusses what her organization observed from millions of users during this cycle. She details increased interest in ballot information tools, usage patterns among younger voters, and broader factors that may explain why participation rose in several states. She also outlines the questions Vote.org is tracking as the 2026 midterms approach.

• Explore our coverage of the ‘25 Elections:https://ballotpedia.org/Election_results,_2025 
• Read Maya’s reporting: https://apnews.com/article/election-2025-results-takeaways-charts-e440e2b57f751acb5e173ab35aab1bc6 
• Learn more about Vote.org: https://www.vote.org/ 

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*On The Ballot is a conversational podcast featuring interviews with guests across the political spectrum. The views and opinions expressed by them are solely their own and are not representative of the views of the host or Ballotpedia as a whole.