Ryan D. Williamson

Opinion | What’s Really Driving These Bogus Claims of Voter Fraud

Great piece from Stephen Richer. “Everyone… should use the new state-level proof that noncitizen voting is virtually nonexistent to push back against the real danger to our democracy: craven politicians using the issue to undermine our free and fair elections.”

www.nytimes.com/2026/02/05/o...

Some useful reference points from Vital Statistics. www.brookings.edu/articles/vit...

This makes 29 Republicans to flee the House, and I strongly suspect the number of folks suddenly wanting to go home will only increase as the prospect of being just another rank and file member in the minority sets in.

Some very good news

Found another classic of the genre

Basically every state right now

For 0 dollars most academics will use their trademark depth of policy knowledge and actual experience doing academic research to tell you things that are more true than false

If anyone is interested in attending the Prairie Political Science Annual Meeting in Banff, Alberta, Canada I can be persuaded to put together a panel. September 18–20. www.prairiepsa.com/conference/

More showings. Same result.

The same six seats—and only the same six seats—are unavailable for all the showings of Melania at my local theater. What a fascinating coincidence…

This is who runs this account.

Money is a necessary but insufficient condition for winning. And if you’re spending money like this, it’s probably because you’re toast anyway.

A List of Complaints from 1926

🧵

I came to Wyoming to flee the frigid temperatures of Alabama.

This season’s writers are a little too on the nose with this one.

A sycophant is more than just a "yes-man." It refers to someone who acts excessively servile toward someone important in order to gain an advantage. They aren't just being nice, they are using excessive flattery, often insincerely, to get what they want, whether that's a promotion, social status or favor. Some characteristics: The motive is self-interest. They aren't praising you because they like you; they're doing it because you have something they want. The behavior is over the top fawning, or constant agreement (including when you're wrong). Common Synonyms: toady, flunky, bootlicker. Some parallels for movie buffs: Grima Wormtongue (the Stephen Miller of Lord of the Rings) is an advisor to King Theoden. He uses whispers and false flattery to control the King's decisions, all while secretly serving Saruman. He is a classic example of a sycophant who uses his position to poison a leader's standing for his own benefit. Dolores Umbridge (the Kristi Noem of Harry Potter) is an example of a bureaucratic sycophant. She is terrifyingly sweet while she is around those she considers her superiors and she sucks up to authority to gain the power she needs to bully those "beneath" her.

The electoral connection: it’s been severed.

a black and white photo of a machine that says a on it Alt: a gif of a newspaper printer

Thanks for the great response to JEARP’s debut on Bluesky. We are always looking for article submissions on contemporary policy issues (from a nonpartisan perspective), reflections on experiences and best practices, or scientific-based research. Email us at Journal@electioncenter.org

Hooray for @ryandane.bsky.social and Jamie L Carson on this new book!

(And a thanks for asking me to be a part of it 😀)

This excerpt is from when Philly was *celebrating* winning the Super Bowl. Imagine what they’re capable of when they’re unhappy…

I think it’s a listen to Springsteen and be thankful for this gal kind of evening.

Hey #polisky & #electionadministration folks: the Journal of Election Administration Research and Practice is now on Blue Sky!

Give us a follow--and while you're at it, check out the new special issue on funding elections. Lots of good stuff for practitioners & academics alike.

Journal of Election Administration, Research & Practice

Hello, friends! JEARP is spreading its wings to have a presence here on Bluesky. We hope you’ll follow us to keep up with the journal’s latest goings-on. Check out our page on the Election Center website to find the latest journal special issue on innovative funding solutions to run elections.

Damn. I should have read more closely. Thank you.

A few months ago I did an interview with the Wyoming Outdoor Council on political engagement. It may seem a bit Pollyanna, but I stand by these words and hope we can all take them to heart.

I debated that against Xanga!

As an experiment, I decided to make an identical post on three different apps at the same time. Here are the results:

Bluesky: 4 likes

MySpace: 0 likes

Xanga: 0 likes

I love Bluesky, and this is sustainable.

Suffered through his Georgia tenure long enough to know what was going to happen.

Called it.

Perfect time for a Carson Beck interception.

Zuzu is simultaneously not interested in this game and innovating how dog beds are used.