Daniel Nichanian

NEW: Republicans tried to get Missourians to effectively kill direct democracy and ballot initiatives. Last night, Missourians literally laughed in their face — rejecting the measure by a massive 80% to 20%. Here’s what to know: https://boltsmag.org/missouri-rejects-restrictions-on-direct-democracy/

BIG DEAL on voting rights Friday: Governor Spanberger just restored the voting rights of some 60,000+ Virginians. Her move reverses Youngkin's abrupt decision in 2023 to end automatic voting rights restoration, which brought Virginia back to a system of default lifetime disenfranchisement. https://boltsmag.org/virginia-governor-restores-voting-rights/

NEW: We reported two years ago that Chicago police had made 200,000 secret traffic stops, failing to disclose them as required by law. Chicago police then admitted the problem, & promised to 'fix' it in a legislative hearing. We just investigated again: The secrecy problem... got worse. https://boltsmag.org/chicago-police-traffic-stops-declined-but-unreported-traffic-stops-increased-under-snelling/

Three elections coming up in the next few weeks that you should know about! 1️⃣ the Missouri constitutional amendment that, if passed, would pretty much shut down direct democracy in that state: https://boltsmag.org/missouri-amendment-on-ballot-initiatives/

NEW: The author of a new book on the spread of digital surveillance tools has fairly dire warnings: "We live under the surveillance as if we were all guilty." We asked you Bolts readers to ask him questions—and he did! I, for one, learned a ton: https://boltsmag.org/everything-everywhere-all-at-once-surveillance-your-questions-answered/

NEW: It's the busiest election month to far, featuring Trump's revenge tour against many Republicans; 5 supreme court races; & key contests from mayor to sheriff.

Enter my guide to the *100* elections to watch in May.

This Tuesday is already busy, & it all escalates on the 19th.

Explore! https://boltsmag.org/whats-on-the-ballot/may-2026-elections-guide/

Your weekend read: Justices who’ve upheld or imposed bans on abortion are running for reelection this year in 7 states. Learn more!! https://boltsmag.org/your-state-by-state-guide-to-the-2026-supreme-court-elections/

All of our personal data is increasingly tracked & surveilled. A new book (“Your Data Will Be Used Against You”) breaks it down.

We asked its author, @ProfFerguson@mastodon.lawprofs.org, if he'd answer your questions on the risks & what it means for politics & liberties. He agreed.

So ask him anything!

Virginia adopted a new law yesterday to forbid sheriffs & local police from contracting with ICE — if ICE doesn't say it'll follow state laws & agree to let its agents be prosecuted.

Everyone seems to agree ICE won't promise that, and that this spells the end of ICE contracts in Virginia. https://boltsmag.org/virginia-bill-on-local-contracts-with-ice/