Managing editor @votebeat.org. Previously senior editor and senior elections analyst at FiveThirtyEight. Email, don't DM: nrakich at votebeat dot orghttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mqozwlk2bs2qThe @decisiondeskhq.bsky.social midterm forecast is out: votes.decisiondeskhq.com/forecast/2026 And of note, they are incorporating prediction market data.15 Jul 2026 15:28 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqozwlk2bs2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mql7pknkpk23IMO, this #HRDerby was good because of Jordan Walker, not the new rules. A bad process can produce a good outcome, and vice versa. I think the timer created more excitement and on average allowed for more impressive individual performances, like Vlad’s and Julio’s.14 Jul 2026 03:01 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mql7pknkpk23https://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mql6kqg7us23OK, that was a good finish. #HRDerby14 Jul 2026 02:40 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mql6kqg7us23https://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mql2yg7d6k2aLast year’s #HRderby contestants averaged more than 16 home runs in the first round. Under the new rules, the highest first-round total is 13.14 Jul 2026 01:36 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mql2yg7d6k2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mqkvyefnls2kFor the record, I’ve got Murakami. #HRDerby14 Jul 2026 00:07 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqkvyefnls2khttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mqklizb26s2jStarting in 1 minute! [contains quote post or other embedded content]13 Jul 2026 20:59 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqklizb26s2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mqkgmymq6k2oIn 90 minutes, Votebeat reporters are holding a virtual event to answer your (yes, YOUR) questions about federal interference in the 2026 midterms. Here's the link to RSVP: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/will-the-midterms-happen-your-election-questions-answered-registration-1991597512773?aff=eventstory13 Jul 2026 19:32 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqkgmymq6k2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mqjsyzjs5s2rEveryone complains about All-Star Game fan voting... but according to election experts, MLB actually does a pretty good job with it. https://www.votebeat.org/national/2026/07/13/major-league-baseball-all-star-game-election-fan-vote-2026/13 Jul 2026 13:41 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqjsyzjs5s2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mqjsopns622rCalifornia is spending $40 million to speed up vote-counting in November, but that probably won't be enough: https://www.ocregister.com/2026/07/10/california-earmarks-40-million-to-speed-up-vote-counting-in-november-but-county-elections-officials-want-to-temper-expectations/13 Jul 2026 13:35 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqjsopns622rhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mqhcuyfct22tWhoa. Tragic and unexpected. RIP [contains quote post or other embedded content]12 Jul 2026 13:47 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqhcuyfct22thttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mq7z6vaxfc2dI’ve been in Michigan for more than 24 hours, and only just now saw the first evidence that there’s a hot-button #MIsen race (an Abdul yard sign).09 Jul 2026 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq7z6vaxfc2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mq6gemlns22vState capitol #25. Doesn’t measure up to Iowa/Wisconsin/Minnesota, but better than most non-Midwestern capitols.09 Jul 2026 00:55 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq6gemlns22vhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mq2ssiaol72xBetter late than never: Here's the box score for last month's Congressional Baseball Game, which Republicans won 11–2.07 Jul 2026 14:27 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq2ssiaol72xhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpunfttdds22At his speech on the National Mall celebrating #America250, Trump calls for the passage of the SAVE America Act and the rollback of mail voting.05 Jul 2026 03:34 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpunfttdds22https://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mptcm6yro22pOn #America250, a reminder that the strength of our democracy has often been two steps forward, one step back. https://www.votebeat.org/national/2026/07/04/america-250-why-voting-rights-access-depend-on-states/04 Jul 2026 14:49 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mptcm6yro22phttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpqrabwdqc2zLouisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has been indicted for allegedly intimidating city officials. However, the LA Supreme Court has stayed the indictment. https://www.foxnews.com/politics/louisiana-attorney-general-accused-threatening-local-officials-criminal-indictment03 Jul 2026 14:32 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpqrabwdqc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpknbiuk5s2kThe AP has called the #CO01 Democratic primary for democratic socialist Melat Kiros. Rep. Diana DeGette is already the 10th incumbent to lose renomination this cycle.01 Jul 2026 04:05 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpknbiuk5s2khttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpkg77yykk2kThe AP has called the #COgov Democratic primary for Attorney General Phil Weiser, who is currently leading Sen. Michael Bennet 55–45%. A surprising defeat for Bennet, but he can just say in the Senate (this was a free shot for him).01 Jul 2026 01:59 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpkg77yykk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpkfjauykk2kThe AP has called the #COsen Democratic primary for incumbent John Hickenlooper, but it was a close shave: With 77% of the estimated vote counted, he's leading progressive state Sen. Julie Gonzales just 57–43%.01 Jul 2026 01:47 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpkfjauykk2khttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpkffjps3s2kState Rep. Manny Rutinel has won the Democratic primary, and thus the right to face GOP Rep. Gabe Evans, in #CO08. This Trump+2 district is one of Democrats' best pickup opportunities.01 Jul 2026 01:45 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpkffjps3s2khttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpkepqfz3c2oOn MLB TV just now, I just saw an MLB ad touting how many fans support a salary cap. They're fighting this labor battle in the court of public opinion!01 Jul 2026 01:32 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpkepqfz3c2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/baseballot.bsky.social/post/3mpkekxk6yk2gJefferson County Clerk Amanda Gonzalez has won the Democratic primary for Colorado secretary of state, per the AP. She's very likely to win the office in November, succeeding retiring incumbent Jena Griswold (D).01 Jul 2026 01:30 +0000at://did:plc:qcbppvjp4va2ovv6bjsmsgax/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpkekxk6yk2g