The hottest Voting Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top U.S. Politics Topics

Why elections have surprised us in recent years

Optimally Irrational • 62 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Political coalitions are really fragile. Just like a team can break up if members aren't happy, political alliances often change quickly too.
  2. Changes in voter demographics are not as predictable as they seem. For example, more minority voters don't always mean more power for one party because voter preferences can shift.
  3. Instability in coalitions can be actually good for democracy. It means different groups can team up and have a chance at winning, keeping the system fair.

The Senate OBBBA Dissenters

Gideon's Substack • 26 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Some Republican senators voted against a big bill because they believed it would hurt many people, especially in rural areas. They wanted more time to review it but didn't get it.
  2. Moderate senators are in a tough spot; they need to balance their votes with what their state wants while keeping their party happy. Some were able to vote against the bill without risking their position.
  3. More extreme members of the party can vote based on their beliefs without worrying much about re-election. Their opinions are important because they can influence whether the bill passes or fails.

Young Voters Are Furious at Biden. That’s Nice.

American Dreaming • 215 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Critics argue that young voters are angry at Biden due to his support for Israel, but data shows this may not be impacting his re-election chances.
  2. Despite concerns about young progressive voters turning away from Biden, the data indicates that they are not a significant voting bloc and may not sway elections.
  3. Changing his stance on Israel/Palestine would not benefit Biden politically, as it could alienate reliable voters to cater to a smaller, less reliable group.

Happy Halloween/U.S. Presidential Election

Bet On It • 80 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. It’s important to think about the connection between Halloween and the upcoming U.S. Presidential Election. Both events bring out strong emotions and opinions in people.
  2. A lot of people feel they might lose no matter who wins an election, which can create a sense of hopelessness.
  3. Bias can affect how we see problems and solutions, and being aware of that can help us think more clearly.
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Election day jitters

Alex's Personal Blog • 65 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. It's election day, and many people might feel nervous about the results. Remember, participating in democracy is a proud moment, especially when you take your kids with you.
  2. No matter who wins the election, there's always work to do to support and energize our democracy. Staying engaged is important regardless of the outcome.
  3. It's okay to take a break from watching the news constantly during election day. Check in on the results when you can, but don't let it consume your time or energy.

Your guide to watching the US election

Comment is Freed • 63 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Polls are hard to trust this election because they might be missing certain groups of voters. Some people who usually don’t vote are expected to show up but are less likely to answer polls.
  2. Different states have different rules for counting votes, which can make it tricky to know the results quickly. Some states can count early votes before polls close, while others cannot.
  3. US exit polls are often not very helpful for predicting results. Unlike the UK, they don’t provide clear insight into voting intentions and motivations.

If Zohran Wins

Political Currents by Ross Barkan • 21 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Zohran Mamdani is gaining a lot of support and could win the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. His rise in the polls is surprising and shows he has become a strong candidate.
  2. Ranked-choice voting means the final results will take time, but early results could tell us a lot. If Mamdani stays close or takes the lead against Andrew Cuomo, it could show a shift in voter preference.
  3. If Mamdani wins the primary, it could change the landscape for the general election and might lead to significant changes in city leadership. His victory would symbolize a win for newer ideas and change.

How much did lockdown and mRNA regret drive voters toward Trump?

Unreported Truths • 57 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Many blue states with strict lockdowns saw a big move towards Trump in the latest election. This shift was most noticeable in places like California.
  2. People are starting to question the COVID-19 vaccines, especially after experiencing severe health issues post-vaccination. This growing skepticism may have influenced their voting decisions.
  3. There appears to be a connection between regrets over vaccination and political choices, suggesting that frustration with health policies could drive voters towards Trump.

All over but the shoutin'

Unreported Truths • 39 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Free speech is very important, but we must respect the results of democratic elections, no matter who wins. It's vital for maintaining our democracy.
  2. There's currently no evidence of significant voting fraud, so we should trust the election process and accept the outcome calmly.
  3. A peaceful transfer of power is essential for democracy, and we should all encourage others to vote and participate in the election.

November 8, 2024

Letters from an American • 30 implied HN points • 09 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Many Trump voters are surprised to find out that tariffs will increase prices, like gaming consoles going up significantly in cost. This raises questions about the effectiveness of Trump's policies.
  2. Voters who chose Trump for economic relief are unhappy with his harsh immigration policies that threaten their undocumented friends and family. This highlights a disconnect between voter expectations and the reality of Trump's agenda.
  3. Right-wing media plays a major role in shaping how voters perceive issues, often spreading misinformation. It's important to understand how this affects political choices and voter awareness.

Inside the Trump Campaign's Voter Turnout Cluster F@#k

JoeWrote • 32 implied HN points • 24 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. The Trump campaign is struggling to connect with swing voters. This means they might lose important support needed to win the election.
  2. Charlie Kirk and Turning Point USA were hired to lead voter turnout efforts, but their approach has been ineffective and caused frustration among GOP strategists.
  3. Elon Musk has taken over some of the campaign's organization efforts, but his methods have also raised concerns about effectiveness and honesty in the voter turnout process.

Kamala Harris, Usha Vance, and the twice-born thrice-selected Indian American elite

Get Down and Shruti • 40 implied HN points • 24 Jul 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Indian Americans have a big impact in the US, especially in jobs and politics, even though they make up a small percentage of the population. They are often highly educated and hold significant roles in many companies.
  2. The rise of political figures like Kamala Harris and Usha Vance shows a growing presence of Indian Americans in both political parties. Their backgrounds reveal important insights about education and opportunities tied to caste.
  3. Many Indian Americans tend to vote Democratic due to issues like immigration and healthcare. However, there are concerns about policies that they feel disadvantage their kids, like college admissions.

Fun With Proportional Representation: German Edition

Gideon's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 18 Feb 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. In Germany's elections, small parties can greatly affect the outcomes for larger parties. Their ability to surpass the 5% vote threshold is crucial since it determines which parties can get seats in the government.
  2. Minor parties like the BSW and Linke can influence coalition options even if they don't join the next government. Their success or failure could shift power dynamics significantly in the Bundestag.
  3. Voting patterns can have unexpected results in proportional representation systems. A party's gains might help another party grow stronger, highlighting the complex nature of electoral outcomes.

House Omnibus Procedural Notes

Matt’s Five Points • 79 implied HN points • 14 Mar 22
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. The omnibus bill was huge, over 2,700 pages, and combined many important financial matters, including aid for Ukraine. This made it easier to pass popular and less popular items together.
  2. To ensure the government stayed open, the House passed a short-term budget extension along with the omnibus, just in case it faced delays in the Senate.
  3. The House used a previous Senate-passed bill to speed up the approval process for the omnibus, avoiding a lengthy debate and making it easier to vote on quickly.

What just happened?

Sex and the State • 23 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Kamala Harris losing the popular vote was unexpected for many. It shows how unpredictable politics can be.
  2. The writer moved to a new area to understand different political views. It highlights the challenge of finding common ground among diverse opinions.
  3. Making new friends in a place with different political beliefs can be difficult. It's important to connect with people no matter their political stance.

An Anti-Mandate In the Offing?

Gideon's Substack • 7 implied HN points • 20 Jun 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. In NYC's mayoral primary, voters might face a tough choice between Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani. But it could be okay to vote for neither if they prefer to reconsider in the general election.
  2. Winning the Democratic primary is important, but it doesn't guarantee success in the general election. The winner could end up with less support than expected in a broader voting scenario.
  3. The way NYC conducts its elections could lead to questions about the legitimacy of governance. A candidate may win without actually having majority support, which could weaken their effectiveness in office.

Post-Election Emergency Discount: 20% Off An Annual Subscription to PROOF

Proof • 17 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. You can get a 20% discount on an annual subscription to Proof, a popular politics newsletter. This offer is available until November 30, 2024.
  2. Proof provides over 425 exclusive reports focused on political issues, with more content added every week.
  3. The author of Proof is experienced in journalism, law, and has written bestsellers about politics, making this newsletter a credible source of information.

November 5, 2024

Letters from an American • 17 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Today is Election Day, and people are awaiting the results with hope. It's a significant day for many, filled with anticipation.
  2. No matter the outcome of the elections, tomorrow will still come, reminding us that life continues. It's important to keep a positive outlook.
  3. Staying connected with others and sharing thoughts during this time can help manage feelings and foster community.

Is more democracy the answer?

Theory Matters • 12 implied HN points • 18 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. More democracy might not be the simple answer to our problems. Just having more people vote doesn't mean they will actually connect or understand each other better.
  2. In today's world, people are often stuck in their own bubbles, only talking to those who agree with them. This leads to misunderstandings and makes it hard to find common ground.
  3. To improve democracy, we need to have real conversations and listen to one another. Creating spaces for open talk can help us understand each other and build stronger communities.

Election Night Minute-By-Minute Recap

I Might Be Wrong • 8 implied HN points • 06 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. The author describes their experience watching election night, focusing on choosing the right news network and anticipating results from key states. They express excitement about analyzing how southern states will set the tone for the election results.
  2. The recap highlights the frustration of early polls often being undecided and the tension that builds as results come in slowly. There's a humorous take on how some news coverage lacks substance until results are clear.
  3. A funny note is made about a celebrity trying to motivate voters in long lines, showing the author's opinion that celebrity involvement might not effectively encourage people to stay. They also touch upon interesting election outcomes, like Trump's early win in Florida.

I Dare BC, To Hand Recount All The Ballots From Last Night's Provincial Election!

C.O.P. Central Organizing Principle. • 6 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Hand recounting all election ballots could lead to a different result than what's reported. This suggests that electronic voting methods may not be reliable.
  2. When machines count votes without public oversight, it raises concerns about honesty in elections. Transparency is crucial to ensure fairness.
  3. There are worries about foreign influence and corporate control over elections in Canada. Many believe this could undermine true democracy.

Progressives Declare San Francisco Unworthy of Progressivism

I Might Be Wrong • 7 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Progressives in San Francisco faced a setback when voters passed non-progressive propositions, such as strengthening the police and teaching algebra in 8th grade.
  2. San Francisco Chronicle writers criticized the progressives for their inability to address important issues like crime, housing, and education effectively.
  3. The response to the city's changes showed a lack of adaptability from some progressives, focusing more on opposition than practical solutions.

Liquid Democracy

the best of a great lot • 4 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Many citizens feel excluded from self-governance due to current voting systems.
  2. Liquid democracy could allow everyone to have a representative of their choosing.
  3. Implementing liquid democracy poses challenges like structuring Congress effectively.

Vote for the November 2024 + Post Topic

Computer Ads from the Past • 0 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. The audience can vote for the topic of the next post, giving them a chance to influence the content. It's a fun way to engage readers and make them feel involved.
  2. Options for the next post include a programming language, a multimedia program, or a printer. Each choice likely highlights interesting history or facts about these topics.
  3. The post encourages readers to consider subscribing for more in-depth content and access to past posts. This helps support the creation of more informative articles.

Elecshun Dae

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 03 Nov 14
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Avoid watching TV on election day until the evening. The coverage is usually filled with meaningless chatter and not useful information.
  2. Focus on key Senate races and House bellwethers. Knowing a few important races helps you understand overall election results better.
  3. Engage in conversations about the election. Talking to different people can provide insight and make the day more enjoyable.

Elecshun Dae 2016

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 07 Nov 16
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Stay away from TV news all day. It's mostly pointless chatter and won't help you understand the election better.
  2. Know the important states and races to watch. Focus on the ones that will really affect the election outcome.
  3. Discuss politics with colleagues and friends in a positive way. Listening to different views can be really interesting and help you think about democracy.

Legislative realities and Senators as presidential candidates

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 23 Feb 12
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Senators often struggle in presidential runs because past votes can haunt them, especially if those votes are no longer popular.
  2. When running for president, a Senator's previous constituency may not match the national electorate, making it hard to appeal to voters.
  3. Legislators often have to compromise to get things done, which can conflict with voter expectations about steadfast principles.

GRANTED: Why I don’t vote and you should confess your mistakes to your coworkers

Granted • 0 implied HN points • 02 Oct 16
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Many biases can be categorized into four groups - too much information, not enough meaning, the need to act fast, and the need to decide what to remember.
  2. Confessing mistakes at work can create a culture where it's safe to take risks and learn from failures.
  3. Experiencing recessions while in college can lead to less narcissism and more job satisfaction in the long run.

Matt's Five Points, November 2: Elecshun Dae 2018

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 18
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Don't watch TV until the evening on election day; the morning coverage is not helpful and just filled with noise.
  2. Focus on key Senate races and important House districts to understand the election better. Knowing where to look can make the night more entertaining.
  3. Engage in conversations about voting with colleagues and friends; it can lead to interesting discussions and personal stories that enrich the experience.

GOP Primary Candidate Venn Diagaram #8: Ron Paul

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 31 Dec 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Ron Paul is a notable figure in the GOP primary race. He is known for his distinct political views.
  2. The Venn diagram for Ron Paul highlights the intersections of his ideas and those of other candidates. It shows how his beliefs compare with others in the party.
  3. This analysis helps people understand where Ron Paul stands among his peers. It provides insight into his unique position in the political landscape.

Voter prep for local elections (plus my VA endorsements!)

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 04 Nov 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Local elections are really important because they greatly affect our daily lives and families. It's a mistake to underestimate them or ignore voting for local leaders.
  2. Using party affiliation is a smart shortcut if you're unsure about local candidates. It can help you make a good choice without needing to know every detail about each person.
  3. You don't need to do a lot of research to feel confident when voting locally. A little effort to understand the structure of your local government, key issues, and endorsements can make a big difference.

Elecshun Dae 2020

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 02 Nov 20
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. Don't watch TV coverage before evening results come in. It’s usually filled with pointless chatter and won't help you understand the election better.
  2. Know the electoral map really well. Understanding which states are important can help you keep track of the electoral votes needed to win the presidency.
  3. Get familiar with key Senate races and House districts. Knowing which races matter can make watching the election more interesting and meaningful.

Saturday APD-Congress Blogging: Clustered Voting in the House

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 29 Oct 11
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. The House floor is very important for making decisions and debates. Its rules and practices influence how Members of Congress spend their time both on and off the floor.
  2. Clustered voting allows Representatives to postpone multiple votes until a planned time. This means they don't have to constantly be on the floor and can manage their time more efficiently.
  3. While clustered voting improves scheduling and efficiency, it can lead to less debate and member engagement. Many members might not be present during discussion, which changes how they interact with issues and each other.

A Note on the U.S. Election

TOP SECRET UMBRA • 0 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. The U.S. election could end in three ways: a close win for Harris, a close win for Trump, or a big win for Trump. It's still too soon to know exactly what will happen.
  2. There's a risk of a political mess if vote counting takes too long, especially if the election is close. This could lead to a lot of confusion and conflict.
  3. Election day is almost here, and it's important for everyone to get ready for whatever happens next. It’s a dramatic time in politics.

Research Note: 2011 House and Senate Calendars

Matt’s Five Points • 0 implied HN points • 08 Dec 10
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Voting
  1. The House has specific days for expected votes, marked in brown. This helps people understand when important decisions will be made.
  2. Days without expected votes are marked in white, indicating when the House will not be voting.
  3. The Senate calendar includes recess days, marked in red, showing when they will not be in session. It's important to know to track legislative activity.