2016 State and Local Elections

The Georgia Republican Who Succeeded by Keeping Her Distance From Trump

Karen Handel showed little enthusiasm for the president compared to the GOP rivals she defeated in advancing to a runoff in a special election for the House.

• Russell Berman
• Apr 19, 2017

Kansas Republicans Sour on Their Tax-Cut Experiment

The state legislature nearly reversed Governor Sam Brownback’s signature policy after a voter rebellion. His economic legacy, one GOP lawmaker says, “is going down in flames.”

• Russell Berman
• Feb 24, 2017

What America’s Small-Town Mayors Think About Trump

The local leaders are breaking from tradition to weigh in on presidential politics.

• David Murray
• Jan 19, 2017

The Ideological Reasons Why Democrats Have Neglected Local Politics

After losing many races in 2016, the party is looking to regain power outside the federal government. But in many ways, it’s not set up to make that change of emphasis.

• Emma Green
• Jan 4, 2017

The Year in Election Coverage

Selections from The Atlantic’s coverage of 2016, when a lot happened in the world of politics

• Elaine Godfrey
• Dec 28, 2016

Andrew Cuomo Meets the Frustrated Left

If the New York governor wants to lead the Democrats in 2020, progressives say he must first unify his party in Donald Trump’s backyard.

• Russell Berman
• Dec 15, 2016

North Carolina Republicans Try to Curtail the New Democratic Governor's Power

After Roy Cooper narrowly won the gubernatorial race, the GOP-led state legislature is using a special session to sharply limit the incoming executive’s authority.

• David A. Graham
• Dec 14, 2016

Kafka in the Bull City

The North Carolina can’t resolve its gubernatorial race until Durham County recounts its votes. But that isn’t as simple a matter as it seems.

• David A. Graham
• Dec 2, 2016

North Carolina's New Rainbow Coalition

How identity politics helped give Democrats one victory in a disastrous election cycle

• Vann R. Newkirk II
• Nov 30, 2016

The Lasting Damage From Trump's False 'Voter Fraud' Allegations

The president-elect is sowing doubt about the integrity of America’s elections, and may hope to reap a harvest of discriminatory voting laws.

• David A. Graham
• Nov 28, 2016

What's Really Going On in North Carolina's Gubernatorial Race?

Recounts, lawsuits, challenges—and the prospect of a legislative coup? Here’s why the race between Governor Pat McCrory and Democrat Roy Cooper isn’t over yet.

• David A. Graham
• Nov 23, 2016

Chambers of Pain

Democrats got walloped at the very top of the ticket, but what’s happening at the very bottom of the ballot could hurt them for years to come.

• Alex Wagner
• Nov 14, 2016

The Evangelical Reckoning Over Donald Trump

White, conservative Christians voted for the Republican candidate by a huge margin, but this election revealed deep fractures among leaders and churches—especially along racial lines.

• Emma Green
• Nov 10, 2016

All Eyes Are on Pennsylvania

Politicians are descending on the Keystone State, which will help determine which party wins the Senate—and the White House.

• Emma Green
• Nov 7, 2016

Why Two States Are at Odds Over the Future of the Death Penalty

Public support for capital punishment has declined in recent years, but the issue continues to be a point of contention, as some advocate for its repeal and others push for its reinstatement.

• Paige Brettingen
• Nov 6, 2016

The Next Fight to Expand Voting Has Already Begun

Before the 2016 race ends, advocates for automatic registration are already eyeing new efforts in Illinois, Nevada, and elsewhere.

• Russell Berman
• Nov 6, 2016

Will America Earn the Right to Survive?

William Faulkner’s provocative question from 1955 echoes loudly in 2016.

• Ariel Dorfman
• Nov 4, 2016

The Disturbing Details of Trump’s Alleged Voter-Intimidation Efforts

Democrats have filed nearly half a dozen lawsuits against the Republican presidential nominee and his party about “ballot security” efforts. It seems the old days of poll watching never ended.

• Emma Green
• Nov 1, 2016

Why the Catholic Church Is Leading the Fight Against Legal Pot in Massachusetts

The Archdiocese of Boston gave $850,000 to oppose an upcoming ballot measure—the second largest donation given to the campaign.

• Emma Green
• Nov 1, 2016

Why Porn Stars Hate California’s Ballot Initiative to Protect Their Safety on Sets

This November, voters will weigh a statewide proposition about condoms and worker rights.

• Emma Green
• Oct 30, 2016