Taniel
@taniel.bsky.social
Daniel Nichanian. Editor in chief of @boltsmag.org (follow us!). Elections, (local) politics, voting rights, criminal justice, and drag race.
JUST IN: Katie Wilson is now ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayoral race.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
November 10, 2025 at 11:54 PM
JUST IN: Katie Wilson is now ahead of Mayor Bruce Harrell in the Seattle mayoral race.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
Stay tuned for details on today's count.
Still nothing from Utah. But expect Seattle within the next hour at the latest.
two big local/state developments coming today:
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
November 10, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Still nothing from Utah. But expect Seattle within the next hour at the latest.
Reposted by Taniel
Advocates in New Jersey say lawmakers should codify into state law a directive that restricts local collaboration with ICE.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
Immigration Protections Are Uncertain in New Jersey even as Democrats Keep Governorship
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
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Advocates in New Jersey say lawmakers should codify into state law a directive that restricts local collaboration with ICE.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
“We need to do whatever we can in New Jersey to protect our people,” says the director of the ACLU in the state.
Reposted by Taniel
New data shows that the CCRB retroactively doctored public data for more than 10,000 misconduct allegations against NYPD officers.
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
The NYPD’s Watchdog Whitewashed More Than 10,000 Misconduct Allegations in Public Data, New Evidence Shows
Allegations of lying, sexual misconduct, bigoted statements, and racist policing were among those quietly reclassified by the Civilian Complaint Review Board.
hellgatenyc.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:46 PM
New data shows that the CCRB retroactively doctored public data for more than 10,000 misconduct allegations against NYPD officers.
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
hellgatenyc.com/ccrb-whitewa...
Reposted by Taniel
"Ceisler hopes officials in other parts of the country are watching. “It sends a message to elected public safety leaders across the country that partnering with ICE is a loser in any district that’s remotely a swing district,” he said."
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
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 7:32 PM
"Ceisler hopes officials in other parts of the country are watching. “It sends a message to elected public safety leaders across the country that partnering with ICE is a loser in any district that’s remotely a swing district,” he said."
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
More great reporting from @burness.bsky.social
this period where your donations to Bolts are matched by NewsMatch started a week ago, and it's been a smashing success so far:
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
Do you want to support our work at Bolts? Become a $5 monthly donor today and we’ll immediately get $60 in matching funds!
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
That’s right: The NewsMatch program, which launched on November 1, is multiplying all new monthly subscriptions by 12 right now.
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 10, 2025 at 9:34 PM
this period where your donations to Bolts are matched by NewsMatch started a week ago, and it's been a smashing success so far:
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
would love to keep up that energy still and go into 2026 on the strongest possible footing!
Reposted by Taniel
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...
Reposted by Taniel
Hoyer is notable because his desire for certain territory in his district helped prevent an 8-0 map with a third Black district in prior remaps (especially in 2012).
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
Steny Hoyer & Jamie Raskin send letter to MD Senate President Bill Ferguson, who has opposed mid-decade redistricting, saying that he should move forward with a new map:
"We believe such an effort can survive any legal attack"
"We believe such an effort can survive any legal attack"
Exclusive: Hoyer, Raskin pressure Ferguson to join national redistricting fight
Reps. Steny Hoyer and Jamie Raskin are sending a letter Monday to the state’s General Assembly, applying pressure on Senate President Bill Ferguson.
www.baltimoresun.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Hoyer is notable because his desire for certain territory in his district helped prevent an 8-0 map with a third Black district in prior remaps (especially in 2012).
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
If Axios' recent report that he's likely to retire is accurate, it would make an 8-0 map with increased Black representation easier
Reposted by Taniel
An Australian scholar explains the idea that drove Australia to adopt compulsory voting: "You would know that the government that was elected had the support of the majority of voters in the electorate—not just the majority of the people who turned up."
“An Egalitarian Pressure”: Australia Has Been Requiring People to Vote for 100 Years
As Australia compels voters to show up at the polls this weekend, a scholar lays out the genesis of
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM
An Australian scholar explains the idea that drove Australia to adopt compulsory voting: "You would know that the government that was elected had the support of the majority of voters in the electorate—not just the majority of the people who turned up."
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
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 7:12 PM
NEW: Dems easily flipped the sheriff's office in Pennsylvania's Bucks County, a big swing county in the Philly suburbs.
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
So? The incumbent GOP sheriff had contracted with ICE. His Dem challenger promised to end the contract.
Now he wants other swing-state Dems to look at his victory as a lesson:
Stay tuned for our latest story at Bolts on Tuesday's results — it's on the local loss of an ICE ally.
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Stay tuned for our latest story at Bolts on Tuesday's results — it's on the local loss of an ICE ally.
SCOTUS today agreed to hear a case that could strike down what's known as a "grace period," the practice many states have of allowing mail-in ballots to count if they're postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive in the following days.
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
Trump Wants Mail Votes to Arrive By Election Day. Red States Are Rushing to Toe the Line. - Bolts
Two more states just banned grace periods for mail ballots that are sent before polls close but arrive after Election Day. Trump and conservative judges stepped up attacks, too.
boltsmag.org
November 10, 2025 at 5:26 PM
SCOTUS today agreed to hear a case that could strike down what's known as a "grace period," the practice many states have of allowing mail-in ballots to count if they're postmarked by Election Day, even if they arrive in the following days.
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
Bolts reported on the conservative push to end this:
important news on SCOTUS + LGBTQ rights this morning;
BREAKING: The Supreme Court DENIES former county clerk Kim Davis's request for the justices to take up her longshot bid to overturn 2015's Obergefell v. Hodges marriage equality decision. No justice even writes about the request.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
important news on SCOTUS + LGBTQ rights this morning;
two big local/state developments coming today:
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
November 10, 2025 at 3:34 PM
two big local/state developments coming today:
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
1. the Utah judge who is overseeing the case over the state's congressional map had said she'd rule by today,
2. a potentially decisive update in the count for the Seattle mayoral race.
Reposted by Taniel
A really good (and uplifting! 😊) thread about what else went on in last week's Dems blowout in the US, beyond the big headliners 👇
Might you have missed some of the depth of Tuesday's results, beyond the big headline races?
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
November 10, 2025 at 1:04 PM
A really good (and uplifting! 😊) thread about what else went on in last week's Dems blowout in the US, beyond the big headliners 👇
Big redistricting day Monday: Utah judge has said she’ll rule by tomorrow on the law Utah Republicans passed to define a gerrymander, and on what map the state ought to use in 2026. www.kuer.org/politics-gov...
November 10, 2025 at 2:12 AM
Big redistricting day Monday: Utah judge has said she’ll rule by tomorrow on the law Utah Republicans passed to define a gerrymander, and on what map the state ought to use in 2026. www.kuer.org/politics-gov...
Reposted by Taniel
Virginia's Democratic Senate Majority Leader told Bolts after Tuesday's elections that his party will move forward with redistricting in early 2026, saying, “I don’t see many Republican states pumping the brakes, because they all seem to be falling in line behind their dear leader.”
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 9, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Virginia's Democratic Senate Majority Leader told Bolts after Tuesday's elections that his party will move forward with redistricting in early 2026, saying, “I don’t see many Republican states pumping the brakes, because they all seem to be falling in line behind their dear leader.”
Reposted by Taniel
A great 🧵
Might you have missed some of the depth of Tuesday's results, beyond the big headline races?
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
November 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
A great 🧵
Might you have missed some of the depth of Tuesday's results, beyond the big headline races?
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
November 9, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Might you have missed some of the depth of Tuesday's results, beyond the big headline races?
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
I'd been watching roughly 200 races heading into Election Day, so here's a thread of some of what you don't want to skip over!
🧵
Reposted by Taniel
I'd like to hype the essential work of @taniel.bsky.social at @boltsmag.org - for those wanting a deeper dive, here are all the results you could ask for
boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
Your Cheat Sheet to the 2025 General Elections - Bolts
Four contests have come to largely define the 2025 elections this fall: the elections to lead New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, plus California’s redistricting measure. But there’s so... Read M...
boltsmag.org
November 9, 2025 at 9:13 PM
I'd like to hype the essential work of @taniel.bsky.social at @boltsmag.org - for those wanting a deeper dive, here are all the results you could ask for
boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
boltsmag.org/whats-on-the...
Reposted by Taniel
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...
“Basically, they blame everyone but President Donald Trump.”
Politico on how Virginia Republicans are infighting since Tuesday: www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Politico on how Virginia Republicans are infighting since Tuesday: www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Virginia Republicans turn on each other after crushing losses
“They should have seen this coming,” said one county Republican.
www.politico.com
November 9, 2025 at 5:19 PM
“Basically, they blame everyone but President Donald Trump.”
Politico on how Virginia Republicans are infighting since Tuesday: www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
Politico on how Virginia Republicans are infighting since Tuesday: www.politico.com/news/2025/11...
underrated result from Tuesday!
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 9, 2025 at 4:50 PM
underrated result from Tuesday!
Reposted by Taniel
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
Fedora man unmasked: Meet the teen behind the Louvre mystery photo
Fifteen-year-old Pedro Elias Garzon Delvaux has become an internet sensation after an Associated Press photo captured him outside the Louvre on the day of a crown jewels heist.
apnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 PM
Loving today's news that the mysterious "fedora man" outside the Louvre heist was actually a 15-year-old museum visitor who dresses like a 1940s French detective all the time, just because. apnews.com/article/louv...
The latest example of this, just in, was an email where the name of the supposed writer at the end, when signing the email, is in brackets, to be filled later. 😂
At Bolts, we are sometimes submerged with evidently fake pitches from evidently fake writers, where the email is evidently written entirely by AI.
One email we just got includes the sentence: "This story is locally grounded in [specific county or city]."
One email we just got includes the sentence: "This story is locally grounded in [specific county or city]."
November 9, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The latest example of this, just in, was an email where the name of the supposed writer at the end, when signing the email, is in brackets, to be filled later. 😂