A new Ballotpedia report shows a nationwide spike in efforts, largely led by right-wing groups, to recall school board members over such issues as COVID protocols and Critical Race Theory teachings. The false claims of election fraud after last year’s presidential race may have started it, but with local elections on the horizon, some of the same talking points are surfacing in other arenas. Whether it’s a school board or local government, Joe Ready of the Public Interest Research Group says conservative activists might not gain as much traction on these issues. He says voters are more trusting of local officials, but adds that broader public discourse isn’t helping in crafting meaningful election policy.

Ready points to the recent election law adopted by the State of Iowa – which, among other things, restricts early voting. Ready says there might be room to have healthy discussions on what’s best for the system.