The Ballot - A Block Club Chicago Podcast
Block Club Chicago
Show overview
The Ballot - A Block Club Chicago Podcast launched in 2023 and has put out 25 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode in the time since. That works out to roughly 15 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a monthly cadence.
Episodes typically run twenty to thirty-five minutes — most land between 26 min and 59 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language News show.
The catalogue appears to be on hiatus or wound down — the most recent episode landed 2.2 years ago, with no new episodes in over a year. The busiest year was 2023, with 23 episodes published. Published by Block Club Chicago.
From the publisher
Chicago's Election Headquarters
Latest Episodes
View all 25 episodesEp 24A Conversation With Eileen O'Neill Burke - Candidate For Cook County State's Attorney
Block Club Chicago's Quinn Myers interviews Eileen O'Neill Burke, on why she thinks she should be Cook County's next State's Attorney.
Ep 23A Conversation With Clayton Harris III - Candidate For Cook County State's Attorney
Block Club Chicago's Quinn Myers interviews Clayton Harris III, on why he thinks he should be Cook County's next State's Attorney.
Ep 22A Chat With Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson
On The Block Host Brandon Pope interviews Mayor-Elect Brandon Johnson. You can catch 'On The Block' Thursdays at 7p on The U, Saturdays at 10a and Sundays at 6:30p on CW26. Here's a station guide!
Ep 21How Brandon Johnson Won The Mayoral Election (We Think)
Host - Jon HansenGuests - Brandon Pope, Mick DumkeBrandon Johnson beat Paul Vallas to become Chicago's 57th Mayor - here's how it went down.
Ep 20Who Are The Biggest Donors For City Council Races?
Show me the money! Mick Dumke joins Jon Hansen with details on who the big donors are for the contested City Council races.
Ep 19Paul Vallas Makes His Case - The Runoff
Laura Washington interviews Paul Vallas 8 days before Chicago heads to the polls again.
Ep 18Brandon Johnson Makes His Case - The Runoff
Live from Pilsen's Thalia Hall, Laura Washington interviews Brandon Johnson.
Ep 17LGBTQ+ Issues In The Runoff Race
Host - Jon HansenReporter - Jake WittichElected officials and community members say Paul Vallas limited LGBTQ content when he was Chicago's schools chief, but retiring Alderperson Tom Tunney said Vallas has fought for LGBTQ rights since the '90s.READ MORE
Ep 16Do Endorsements Matter? Breaking Down The Mayors Race 25 Days Before The Election
Host - Jon HansenGuest - Mick Dumke, Block Club Chicago Investigations EditorWith Brandon Johnson and Paul Vallas touting endorsements, Mick Dumke discusses whether endorsements really matter. Also, a full breakdown of the Vallas - Johnson race just over 3 weeks until election day.
Ep 15Why Many Chicagoans Didn't Vote And How It Really Hurt Chuy Garcia's Campaign
Host - Jon HansenReporters - Mack Liederman, Madison SavedraLess than a third of Chicago's registered voters took part in Tuesday's election. Mack Liederman dives into why people don't show up, and Madison Savedra explains how it may have really hurt Chuy Garcia's campaign.
Ep 14What Went Down In The Ward Races? (Part 1)
Host - Jon HansenReporters Quinn Myers, Ariel Parella, Mina Bloom and Melody Mercado break down Wards 1, 14, 30, 34, 36, and 45!
Ep 13Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson Advance To Mayoral Runoff
Host - Jon HansenInvestigations Editor - Mick DumkePaul Vallas and Brandon Johnson advance to the Chicago mayoral election -- as Lori Lightfoot becomes the first one-term mayor in four decades. Investigations Editor Mick Dumke breaks it down.
Ep 12Here Are Some Alderperson Races To Watch
Host - Jon HansenReporters - Melody Mercado, Mina Bloom, Jake Wittich, Mack Liederman, Madison SavedraFive Block Club Reporters analyze 7 of the more interesting Alderperson races to watch on Election Day!
Ep 11Voting 101 With The Chicago Board Of Elections
Host - Jon HansenChicago Board of Elections spokesperson Max Bever explains the who, what, where, when and why of the upcoming Chicago election!
Ep 10What Do Chicago Alderpeople Do?
Host - Jon HansenReporter - Quinn MyersFrom speed bumps to mega developments, Chicago's 50 City Council members hold the power over so many issues that affect your life. What exactly do these mini mayors do all day?
Ep 9Paul Vallas - Former CPS CEO, Chicago Mayoral Candidate
Former CPS CEO Paul Vallas makes his case to be elected the next Chicago mayor.
Ep 8Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia - State Rep and Mayoral Candidate
Congressman Jesus 'Chuy' Garcia lost a mayoral runoff election to Rahm Emanuel in 2015, and entered this year's election after winning re-election as the representative of Illinois' 4th Congressional District.
Ep 7Mayor Lori Lightfoot - From Insurgent Candidate To The Incumbent
Mayor Lightfoot joins the Ballot to discuss what she feels are her biggest accomplishment as Chicago's mayor, and answer questions about what her challengers feel are her biggest mistakes.
Ep 6Brandon Johnson - County Commissioner, CTU Organizer, Mayoral Candidate
Cook County Commissioner Brandon Johnson has focused his progressive mayoral platform around large-scale social and economic programs. He discussed their funding, public safety and education in a conversation with Block Club
Ep 5Sophia King - 4th Ward Alderwoman And Mayoral Candidate Conversation
Ald. Sophia King says representing one of the city’s most diverse wards makes her uniquely qualified to bring the values of equity and collaboration to the top job at City Hall.