Alex Burness
@burness.bsky.social
Reporter for @boltsmag.org covering voting rights, democracy, and criminal justice at the local and state levels. Previously @denverpost.com. Support local journalism.
Signal: burness.02
Signal: burness.02
Reposted by Alex Burness
Punished for... having a period?
Yes, you read that right – behind bars, menstruation is treated like misconduct. Here's how prisons punish people for a bodily function they have no control over 🧵
Yes, you read that right – behind bars, menstruation is treated like misconduct. Here's how prisons punish people for a bodily function they have no control over 🧵
Menstruation as misconduct: How prisons punish people for having their periods
Our analysis of prison rules and sanctions across all fifty states and the federal system — as well as accounts of incarcerated people — reveal ...
www.prisonpolicy.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Punished for... having a period?
Yes, you read that right – behind bars, menstruation is treated like misconduct. Here's how prisons punish people for a bodily function they have no control over 🧵
Yes, you read that right – behind bars, menstruation is treated like misconduct. Here's how prisons punish people for a bodily function they have no control over 🧵
Reposted by Alex Burness
Confirmed: Katie Wilson will be mayor of Seattle, ousting the incumbent from his left.
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
Progressives Win in Seattle, Changing Directions on Public Safety - Bolts
Voters ousted a mayor who oversaw a surge in encampment sweeps, and a Republican prosecutor who pursued punitive policies toward homeless people and drug users.
boltsmag.org
November 13, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Confirmed: Katie Wilson will be mayor of Seattle, ousting the incumbent from his left.
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
And Erika Evans will be the new city attorney, ousting the GOP city attorney after promising to take the office in a more progressive direction.
What do progressives' win mean for law enforcement? NEW IN BOLTS:
After the Bucks County sheriff election, one immigrant rights organizer told me: “I know ICE will still be here, but at least in our community we get some sense of peace. People haven’t wanted to go church, to concerts, to public events, because everybody is thinking they’re going to be taken.”
A Republican sheriff in a swing county that Trump won by 0.1% signed a contract to help ICE, then lost last week by 11.
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
After the Bucks County sheriff election, one immigrant rights organizer told me: “I know ICE will still be here, but at least in our community we get some sense of peace. People haven’t wanted to go church, to concerts, to public events, because everybody is thinking they’re going to be taken.”
A Republican sheriff in a swing county that Trump won by 0.1% signed a contract to help ICE, then lost last week by 11.
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
Voters Ousted This Pennsylvania Sheriff After He Signed Up to Collaborate With ICE - Bolts
A populous, swing county replaced its GOP sheriff on Tuesday after months of controversy over his joining ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner promises he’ll end the contract.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 7:20 PM
A Republican sheriff in a swing county that Trump won by 0.1% signed a contract to help ICE, then lost last week by 11.
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
New by me in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/sheriff-of-b...
In addition to military/overseas voters, young people and non-white people tend to vote later, and thus are more vulnerable to bans on counting late-arriving ballots. That is why Trump wants this change, and why plenty of red states have lately rushed to do his bidding: boltsmag.org/restrictions...
November 10, 2025 at 3:08 PM
In addition to military/overseas voters, young people and non-white people tend to vote later, and thus are more vulnerable to bans on counting late-arriving ballots. That is why Trump wants this change, and why plenty of red states have lately rushed to do his bidding: boltsmag.org/restrictions...
Reposted by Alex Burness
Absolutely incredible reporting by @boltsmag.org
"Even just $30 in my pocket felt like a lot...It made the difference between me staying out here and me going back to prison. I could buy me something to eat, catch a bus, catch a cab...It makes a difference, and I’m telling you from experience.*
"Even just $30 in my pocket felt like a lot...It made the difference between me staying out here and me going back to prison. I could buy me something to eat, catch a bus, catch a cab...It makes a difference, and I’m telling you from experience.*
This Pennsylvania county stopped charging people 'lodging fees' for the time they spent in jail. Then commissioners voted to forgive over $65 million in these fees.
“What a light of hope this has been,” said one woman whose son owed $17,000.
“What a light of hope this has been,” said one woman whose son owed $17,000.
This Pennsylvania County Wiped Out Millions in Jail Debt
After Dauphin County ended the practice of charging people while they’re detained in jail, Commissioner Justin Douglas pushed it to forgive more than $65 million in lodging fees.
boltsmag.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:21 AM
Absolutely incredible reporting by @boltsmag.org
"Even just $30 in my pocket felt like a lot...It made the difference between me staying out here and me going back to prison. I could buy me something to eat, catch a bus, catch a cab...It makes a difference, and I’m telling you from experience.*
"Even just $30 in my pocket felt like a lot...It made the difference between me staying out here and me going back to prison. I could buy me something to eat, catch a bus, catch a cab...It makes a difference, and I’m telling you from experience.*
Gerrymandering Virginia will be “one of the 1st orders of business” for the legislature in January, the state’s senate majority leader tells @boltsmag.org. That was only made possible by Tuesday’s results.
This + other democracy-related election effects explained here: boltsmag.org/five-ways-20...
This + other democracy-related election effects explained here: boltsmag.org/five-ways-20...
Five Ways Tuesday’s Results Will Affect Voting Rules and Democracy - Bolts
From felony disenfranchisement and mail-voting to mid-decade gerrymanders, Tuesday delivered verdicts on election law across these five states.
boltsmag.org
November 7, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Gerrymandering Virginia will be “one of the 1st orders of business” for the legislature in January, the state’s senate majority leader tells @boltsmag.org. That was only made possible by Tuesday’s results.
This + other democracy-related election effects explained here: boltsmag.org/five-ways-20...
This + other democracy-related election effects explained here: boltsmag.org/five-ways-20...
I wrote about how this election affected voting and democracy, new in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/five-ways-20...
Five Ways Tuesday’s Results Will Affect Voting Rules and Democracy - Bolts
From felony disenfranchisement and mail-voting to mid-decade gerrymanders, Tuesday delivered verdicts on election law across these five states.
boltsmag.org
November 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I wrote about how this election affected voting and democracy, new in @boltsmag.org: boltsmag.org/five-ways-20...
Reposted by Alex Burness
Jeanine Pirro tried to make an example of Sean Dunn.
She ended up delivering a hero to Washington, D.C.
www.huffpost.com/entry/dc-san...
She ended up delivering a hero to Washington, D.C.
www.huffpost.com/entry/dc-san...
DC ‘Sandwich Guy’ Found Not Guilty After Defense Successfully Highlights Absurdity Of It All
Jeanine Pirro tried to make an example of Sean Dunn. She ended up delivering a hero to Washington, D.C.
www.huffpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Jeanine Pirro tried to make an example of Sean Dunn.
She ended up delivering a hero to Washington, D.C.
www.huffpost.com/entry/dc-san...
She ended up delivering a hero to Washington, D.C.
www.huffpost.com/entry/dc-san...
Reposted by Alex Burness
Incoming NJ governor Mikie Sherrill hasn't said whether she'll uphold a state policy limiting law enforcement cooperation w/ ICE. Advocates say lawmakers must pass legislation to preserve & expand protections for NJ's 2.2 million immigrants before she takes office.
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
Immigration Protections Are Uncertain in New Jersey even as Democrats Keep Governorship - Bolts
Advocates want to promptly codify the limits on immigration enforcement put in place by the outgoing governor. Mikie Sherill, Tuesday’s winner, has declined to say if she'd continue them.
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Incoming NJ governor Mikie Sherrill hasn't said whether she'll uphold a state policy limiting law enforcement cooperation w/ ICE. Advocates say lawmakers must pass legislation to preserve & expand protections for NJ's 2.2 million immigrants before she takes office.
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
boltsmag.org/immigration-...
Reposted by Alex Burness
A reminder that we are currently running our end-of-year fundraising campaign!
If you appreciate reading election coverage from Bolts, consider donating. Right now, your gift will be matched!
If you appreciate reading election coverage from Bolts, consider donating. Right now, your gift will be matched!
This year, we've set an ambitious new goal of raising $65,000 in reader donations by the end of December.
NewsMatch is currently doubling all contributions, and multiplying new monthly donations by twelve!
Donate today and help us get there:
NewsMatch is currently doubling all contributions, and multiplying new monthly donations by twelve!
Donate today and help us get there:
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 5:21 PM
A reminder that we are currently running our end-of-year fundraising campaign!
If you appreciate reading election coverage from Bolts, consider donating. Right now, your gift will be matched!
If you appreciate reading election coverage from Bolts, consider donating. Right now, your gift will be matched!
A prominent MAGA politician in Colorado, who helped make the “Venezuelan gang takeover” story a major election issue last fall, is trailing behind two progressive challengers in her re-election bid, despite dramatically outspending them. www.9news.com/article/news...
In early returns, Jurinsky trails in Aurora City Council at-large race
The top two vote-getters in the five-candidate race are elected to an at-large seat.
www.9news.com
November 5, 2025 at 3:55 PM
A prominent MAGA politician in Colorado, who helped make the “Venezuelan gang takeover” story a major election issue last fall, is trailing behind two progressive challengers in her re-election bid, despite dramatically outspending them. www.9news.com/article/news...
Last night’s overwhelming Democratic sweep in Pennsylvania preserves liberal control of the state supreme courts across the Midwest’s Blue Wall—MI, PA, WI. These courts are really important for election law and voting rights.
boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
Democrats Retain Control of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court with Three-Seat Sweep - Bolts
Three Democratic justices on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have defeated an unusually high-profile Republican bid to unseat them. They secured large statewide victories on Tuesday, following an histo...
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Last night’s overwhelming Democratic sweep in Pennsylvania preserves liberal control of the state supreme courts across the Midwest’s Blue Wall—MI, PA, WI. These courts are really important for election law and voting rights.
boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
It’s worth thinking today of all the elections you *aren’t* hearing about because they were unopposed. In so many sheriff and prosecutor offices in particular, including in blue-ish or even solidly blue areas, “tough-on-crime” folks often reign for many years without ever being challenged.
November 5, 2025 at 2:20 PM
It’s worth thinking today of all the elections you *aren’t* hearing about because they were unopposed. In so many sheriff and prosecutor offices in particular, including in blue-ish or even solidly blue areas, “tough-on-crime” folks often reign for many years without ever being challenged.
Reposted by Alex Burness
JUST IN: Soren Stevenson, who lost an eye due to a projectile fired by the police during the BLM protests of 2020 in Minneapolis, has won a seat on city council.
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
As Minneapolis Votes, Some Struggle to Keep Police Violence in the Spotlight - Bolts
Five years after George Floyd, the mayor and his allies on city council claim credit for vast improvements, but critics keep pressing the case for more discipline and police alternatives.
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:59 AM
JUST IN: Soren Stevenson, who lost an eye due to a projectile fired by the police during the BLM protests of 2020 in Minneapolis, has won a seat on city council.
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
@pascalsabino.bsky.social reported on his candidacy last month in a must-read: boltsmag.org/minneapolis-...
The passage of CA Prop 50 wraps a big night on the democracy/voting rights front. In addition to Prop 50, most notably: ME rejected voting restrictions, PA preserved its liberal supreme court majority, and VA cleared a path to end its Jim Crow-era system of lifetime felony disenfranchisement.
November 5, 2025 at 4:14 AM
The passage of CA Prop 50 wraps a big night on the democracy/voting rights front. In addition to Prop 50, most notably: ME rejected voting restrictions, PA preserved its liberal supreme court majority, and VA cleared a path to end its Jim Crow-era system of lifetime felony disenfranchisement.
Pennsylvania Justice David Wecht to @boltsmag.org: “The projected victory for the three of us speaks well of our democracy. We all campaigned on the basis of vindicating the Pennsylvania constitution’s free and equal elections clause, and we’re all committed to continuing to vindicate that right.”
Democrats have successfully defended three seats on the all-important Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This means the court will be controlled by Ds through the midterms, and almost definitely through 2028 as well.
My story on the result: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
My story on the result: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
Democrats Retain Control of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court with Three-Seat Sweep - Bolts
Three Democratic justices on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have defeated an unusually high-profile Republican bid to unseat them. They secured large statewide victories on Tuesday, following an histo...
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Pennsylvania Justice David Wecht to @boltsmag.org: “The projected victory for the three of us speaks well of our democracy. We all campaigned on the basis of vindicating the Pennsylvania constitution’s free and equal elections clause, and we’re all committed to continuing to vindicate that right.”
A massive result: Maine voters have rejected Question 1, a ballot measure that would have restricted mail voting and put into place strict new voter ID requirements. This outcome was no sure thing heading into tonight. The measure’s failure preserves current voter access in Maine, as 2026 looms.
November 5, 2025 at 3:17 AM
A massive result: Maine voters have rejected Question 1, a ballot measure that would have restricted mail voting and put into place strict new voter ID requirements. This outcome was no sure thing heading into tonight. The measure’s failure preserves current voter access in Maine, as 2026 looms.
Democrats have successfully defended three seats on the all-important Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This means the court will be controlled by Ds through the midterms, and almost definitely through 2028 as well.
My story on the result: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
My story on the result: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
Democrats Retain Control of Pennsylvania's Supreme Court with Three-Seat Sweep - Bolts
Three Democratic justices on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have defeated an unusually high-profile Republican bid to unseat them. They secured large statewide victories on Tuesday, following an histo...
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Democrats have successfully defended three seats on the all-important Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This means the court will be controlled by Ds through the midterms, and almost definitely through 2028 as well.
My story on the result: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
My story on the result: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
As the face of the “progressive prosecutor” movement steamrolls to a 3rd term, let me be the millionth person to note that when that movement loses elections it’s billed in national media as a crisis for the left, while the movement’s high points, of which there have been many, are largely ignored.
Democrat Larry Krasner, a national figurehead for reform prosecutors, has won reelection as Philadelphia’s district attorney.
November 5, 2025 at 2:42 AM
As the face of the “progressive prosecutor” movement steamrolls to a 3rd term, let me be the millionth person to note that when that movement loses elections it’s billed in national media as a crisis for the left, while the movement’s high points, of which there have been many, are largely ignored.
I suppose not surprising if you know America, but, wow, there are 2 million Muslim women in the U.S. and only just now, tonight, has even one single part of the country elected a Muslim woman to any statewide office.
Virginia has elected Ghazala Hashmi as the state’s next lieutenant governor, making her the first Muslim woman ever elected to statewide office in the United States. 19thnews.org/2025/11/virg...
November 5, 2025 at 2:22 AM
I suppose not surprising if you know America, but, wow, there are 2 million Muslim women in the U.S. and only just now, tonight, has even one single part of the country elected a Muslim woman to any statewide office.
Still early, but the three Democrats seeking new terms on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court are all performing very, very well.
This is one of the contests we’ve been watching most closely at @boltsmag.org.
Background: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
This is one of the contests we’ve been watching most closely at @boltsmag.org.
Background: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
Inside the Clunky Elections to Control Pennsylvania's Supreme Court - Bolts
The GOP is making an expensive push to end Democrats’ majority on a court at the center of election lawsuits, sparking a fledging campaign season with little precedent or template.
boltsmag.org
November 5, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Still early, but the three Democrats seeking new terms on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court are all performing very, very well.
This is one of the contests we’ve been watching most closely at @boltsmag.org.
Background: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
This is one of the contests we’ve been watching most closely at @boltsmag.org.
Background: boltsmag.org/pennsylvania...
Reposted by Alex Burness
We're starting to fill our election guide! Come join the Bolts party as results pop up: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
November 5, 2025 at 1:16 AM
We're starting to fill our election guide! Come join the Bolts party as results pop up: boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
Some very early results show Maine’s Question 1, a Republican measure to restrict mail voting and require voter ID, running well behind Trump in 2024, when he lost Maine by 7.
For example… Newry was Harris +11, but opposed Q1 +30. Dixmont was Trump +28, but supported Q1 only +7.
For example… Newry was Harris +11, but opposed Q1 +30. Dixmont was Trump +28, but supported Q1 only +7.
November 5, 2025 at 1:25 AM
Some very early results show Maine’s Question 1, a Republican measure to restrict mail voting and require voter ID, running well behind Trump in 2024, when he lost Maine by 7.
For example… Newry was Harris +11, but opposed Q1 +30. Dixmont was Trump +28, but supported Q1 only +7.
For example… Newry was Harris +11, but opposed Q1 +30. Dixmont was Trump +28, but supported Q1 only +7.
Among many other takeaways: Spanberger will now inherit the power to decide whether Virginians returning from prison should have their voting rights restored. Youngkin has bucked his predecessors by using this power to deny voting rights to many thousands of people.
RESULT: Abigail Spanberger has been elected governor of Virginia, the AP has just called.
Her win flips this office for Democrats.
Virginia’s other statewide elections, for lieutenant governor and attorney general, have not yet been called at this time.
Her win flips this office for Democrats.
Virginia’s other statewide elections, for lieutenant governor and attorney general, have not yet been called at this time.
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Among many other takeaways: Spanberger will now inherit the power to decide whether Virginians returning from prison should have their voting rights restored. Youngkin has bucked his predecessors by using this power to deny voting rights to many thousands of people.