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Ashley Lopez

Political Correspondent

Ashley Lopez is a political correspondent for NPR based in Austin, Texas. She joined NPR in May 2022. Prior to NPR, Lopez spent more than six years as a health care and politics reporter for KUT, Austin's public radio station. Before that, she was a political reporter for NPR Member stations in Florida and Kentucky. Lopez is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and grew up in Miami, Florida.

Story Archive

Thursday

Ballot shortages are rare in U.S. elections, but here's why they sometimes happen

A precinct worker reaches for more "I Voted" stickers on Nov. 7 in Jackson, Miss. A few polling places in Jackson's Hinds County saw ballot shortages during this year's statewide general election, frustrating voters. Rogelio V. Solis/AP hide caption

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Rogelio V. Solis/AP

Elections

Ballot shortages are rare in U.S. elections, but here's why they sometimes happen

Sometimes polling places run out of ballots for voters. It's rare, but it happens. It happened in Mississippi earlier this month, causing serious issues for voters. Here's a look at why it happens.

Ballot shortages are rare in U.S. elections, but here's why they sometimes happen

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Wednesday

Elections

How ballot shortages happen in the U.S.

Ballot shortages are a rare occurrence in American elections. But they do happen. In fact they happened earlier this month in some polling locations in Mississippi and Ohio.

How ballot shortages happen in the U.S.

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Monday

The NPR Politics Podcast

A Court Ruling Poses A New Threat To The Voting Rights Act's Protections

Last week, a federal appeals court ruled that private individuals and groups, like the ACLU or NAACP, can't sue under a key section of the Voting Rights Act. It's a decision that could reshape the political landscape, at a time when states across the country are already fighting over district lines.

A Court Ruling Poses A New Threat To The Voting Rights Act's Protections

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Monday

The NPR Politics Podcast

GOP Presidential Hopefuls Are Trying To Thread The Needle On Abortion

For decades, abortion has been a motivating force for the Republican base. But in a post-Roe, world, it's become a political liability in general elections.

GOP Presidential Hopefuls Are Trying To Thread The Needle On Abortion

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Thursday

Once Florida's favorite son, Floridians turn on DeSantis in his bid for president

Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks to attendees at the Republican Party of Florida Freedom Summit on Nov. 4, 2023 in Kissimmee, Fla. Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP hide caption

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Phelan M. Ebenhack/AP

Elections

Once Florida's favorite son, Floridians turn on DeSantis in his bid for president

Gov. Ron DeSantis won a decisive reelection in 2022, in a year when Republicans elsewhere didn't fare as well. But now that he's running for president, some in Florida wish he'd do his job at home.

Once Florida's favorite son, Floridians turn on DeSantis in his bid for president

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Friday

Roundup: Manchin's Moves, Election News, Panda Blues

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) questions Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler as Gensler testifies before the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee July 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Roundup: Manchin's Moves, Election News, Panda Blues

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced he wouldn't seek another term, fueling speculation he's gearing up for a presidential run. Meanwhile, new speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) is facing a major challenge to avoid a government shutdown next week, and statewide elections throughout the country this week led to good results for Democrats.

Roundup: Manchin's Moves, Election News, Panda Blues

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Thursday

Politics

GOP presidential candidates debated in Miami, Donald Trump attended a rally

Five Republican candidates met for the third debate of the 2024 presidential race to address issues like abortion rights, international conflict and the future of Social Security.

GOP presidential candidates debated in Miami, Donald Trump attended a rally

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In South Florida, GOP Candidates Debate While Trump Rallies

Republican presidential candidates (L-R), former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and U.S. Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC) are introduced during the NBC News Republican Presidential Primary Debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on November 8, 2023 in Miami, Florida. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

In South Florida, GOP Candidates Debate While Trump Rallies

Five candidates — former New Jersey governor Chris Christie, Florida governor Ron DeSantis, former South Carolina governor and U.N. ambassador Nikki Haley, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, and South Carolina senator Tim Scott met on a debate stage in Miami, each trying to pitch themselves as the alternative to Donald Trump. The former president, meanwhile, skipped the debate — as he has with each held so far this year — and led a rally with his supporters in nearby Hialeah.

In South Florida, GOP Candidates Debate While Trump Rallies

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Wednesday

Politics

5 candidates qualify for GOP debate. Donald Trump chooses not to participate

Five Republican presidential candidates take the stage in Miami Wednesday night for the third debate of the 2024 primary.

5 candidates qualify for GOP debate. Donald Trump chooses not to participate

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Here are some of the memorable moments in the third GOP presidential debate

Republican presidential candidates former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Vivek Ramaswamy and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott participate in the NBC News Republican Presidential Primary Debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County on Thursday in Miami. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Elections

Here are some of the memorable moments in the third GOP presidential debate

Republican candidates seeking the nomination for the 2024 presidential nomination took the stage Wednesday night in Miami. But once again, in his absence, frontrunner Donald Trump commands attention.

Friday

Weekly Roundup: New Speaker, Same Challenges

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) listens during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at the U.S. Capitol on October 26, 2023. Drew Angerer/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Weekly Roundup: New Speaker, Same Challenges

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) has a lot on his agenda — aid to Israel and Ukraine, a looming government shutdown & more. He'll need bipartisan support to get things done, but how doable that is remains to be seen.

Weekly Roundup: New Speaker, Same Challenges

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Thursday

Republicans Turn On Tuberville Over Military Blockade

U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) speaks to reporters in the Capitol building on September 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. Anna Rose Layden/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Republicans Turn On Tuberville Over Military Blockade

Senate colleagues are frustrated with Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.), who continues to block appointments to the military chain of command as a form of protest over policy allowing servicemembers to reproductive care.

Republicans Turn On Tuberville Over Military Blockade

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Wednesday

Democrats Divided Over Israel

People hold signs during a rally in support of Palestinians in Los Angeles, California on October 21, 2023, amid ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. DAVID SWANSON/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Democrats Divided Over Israel

President Biden has offered strong support for Israel in its war against Hamas, even traveling to the country to show the United States' commitment to Israel's defense. But that stance has some Democrats sharply critical of the Biden administration for not focusing enough on the war's impacts on Palestinians — something that might be a problem as the president campaigns for reelection.

Democrats Divided Over Israel

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Tuesday

How A Colorado Trial Could Force Trump Off The Ballot

An election judge tears off a couple of "I Voted" stickers to hand to a voter. Marc Piscotty/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

How A Colorado Trial Could Force Trump Off The Ballot

A suit filed in the state alleges the former president is ineligible to seek public office based on a provision in the 14th amendment to the U.S. Constitution. What does the suit claim, and what could happen next?

How A Colorado Trial Could Force Trump Off The Ballot

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Monday

Term Limits Won't Fix Congress — Here's What Might

The dome of the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 4, 2023 in Washington, D.C. Catie Dull/NPR hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Term Limits Won't Fix Congress — Here's What Might

The idea of term limiting congressional representatives tends to poll well, but — in practice — the idea probably wouldn't reduce extreme partisanship or curb outside influence. But there are some ideas, like multi-member districts and reforms to primary elections, that could make a big difference.

Term Limits Won't Fix Congress — Here's What Might

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Sunday

Term limits for Congress are wildly popular. But most experts say they'd be a bad idea

Congressional term limits are really popular with voters. With experts, not so much. Catie Dull/NPR hide caption

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Catie Dull/NPR

Elections

Term limits for Congress are wildly popular. But most experts say they'd be a bad idea

It's no secret Americans have a negative view of Congress. And that frustration has led to some renewed interest in setting term limits for lawmakers, though it's an idea broadly opposed by experts.

Term limits for Congress are wildly popular. But most experts say they'd be a bad idea

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Friday

Roundup: GOP Boosts Power By Gerrymandering North Carolina

Protesters attends a rally for "Fair Maps" on March 26, 2019 in Washington, DC. Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR Politics Podcast

Roundup: GOP Boosts Power By Gerrymandering North Carolina

Drawing congressional and statehouse districts in a way that solidifies a party's political power is a primary driver of the country's extreme, hyper-partisan political environment. Here's how the fight over new maps in Georgia and North Carolina is expected to reshape national politics.

Roundup: GOP Boosts Power By Gerrymandering North Carolina

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Wednesday

North Carolina lawmakers approve maps creating gains for the GOP in Congress

While other senators look at the map on their computers, Republican Sen. Ralph Hise, top right, one of the sponsors of a congressional redistricting bill, speaks as the North Carolina Senate debates the bill Tuesday in Raleigh, N.C. Chris Seward/AP hide caption

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Chris Seward/AP

Elections

North Carolina lawmakers approve maps creating gains for the GOP in Congress

North Carolina Republicans gave final approval Wednesday to new political districts that are likely to hand the party more seats in Congress next year.

National

23% of Americans support political violence ahead of the 2024 election, survey shows

A PRRI survey out Wednesday shows that nearly a quarter of Americans support political violence heading into the 2024 presidential election, as an overwhelming majority believe democracy is at risk.

23% of Americans support political violence ahead of the 2024 election, survey shows

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More Americans say they support political violence ahead of the 2024 election

In this file photo, a member of the Proud Boys, right, stands in front of a counter protester as members of the Proud Boys and other right-wing demonstrators rally on Sept. 26, 2020. John Locher/AP hide caption

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John Locher/AP

Politics

More Americans say they support political violence ahead of the 2024 election

Nearly a quarter of Americans believe that "patriots may need to resort to violence to save the country" while an overwhelming majority think democracy is at risk in a new PRRI survey.

Wednesday

8 moments that stood out from the second GOP 2024 presidential debate

From left to right, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, businessman Vivek Ramaswamy and Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., argue a point during a Republican presidential primary debate hosted by FOX Business Network and Univision on Wednesday. Mark J. Terrill/AP hide caption

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Mark J. Terrill/AP

Elections

8 moments that stood out from the second GOP 2024 presidential debate

The Republican Party held its second debate of the 2024 campaign on Wednesday night in California. Here are some of the night's more memorable moments.

Thursday

Our Changing Democracy: Non-Partisan Primaries, Internet Voting

A poll worker looks on as he works at a laptop at a polling location on election day at a polling station on November 3, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. CHET STRANGE/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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CHET STRANGE/AFP via Getty Images

The NPR Politics Podcast

Our Changing Democracy: Non-Partisan Primaries, Internet Voting

Closed primaries — where only members of that political party can vote — are effectively the final say in the vast majority of House of Representatives elections. Can open primary elections help incentive candidates to work toward consensus?

Our Changing Democracy: Non-Partisan Primaries, Internet Voting

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Monday

The U.S. has a 'primary problem,' say advocates who call for new election systems

A person puts their ballot in a drop box on Oct. 27, 2020, at a library in Seattle. Under Washington state's primary system, the top two vote getters advance to the general election in November, regardless of party. Ted S. Warren/AP hide caption

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Ted S. Warren/AP

Elections

The U.S. has a 'primary problem,' say advocates who call for new election systems

There's a lot of discontent with America's political system, including with party-based primary elections. So reform advocates are urging states to move to nonpartisan primaries.

The U.S. has a 'primary problem,' say advocates who call for new election systems

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Saturday

All Things Considered

Why some states are turning to nonpartisan primaries

There's a lot of discontent with America's political system, including with primary elections. Many experts say party-based primaries shut out independent voters and make political polarization worse. That's why some states are turning to nonpartisan primaries.

Why some states are turning to nonpartisan primaries

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