# Thoughtful launches BallotBench to test AI forecasts across 863 races

> Source: <https://runtimewire.com/article/thoughtful-ballotbench-ai-election-forecast-benchmark>
> Published: 2026-10-29 00:06:27+00:00

# Thoughtful launches BallotBench to test AI forecasts across 863 races

**Nine agents get internet access and $500 each to forecast the 2026 midterms, with their research traces and revisions on display.**

        By [Ryan Merket](https://runtimewire.com/author/ryan-merket)
        · Published 

Primary source: [x.com](https://x.com/thoughtfullab/status/2115491465325617636)

## Why it matters

BallotBench makes agent research and spending inspectable alongside their forecasts. Its results will test whether that transparency and extra research time translate into calibrated calls across hundreds of real races.

[Brian Zhou](https://x.com/brian1zhou), [Mersad Abbasi](https://x.com/Mersad_Abbasi) and [Karina Nguyen](https://x.com/karinanguyen) have launched [BallotBench](https://ballotbench.com), a live test of nine AI agents forecasting 863 federal and statewide races in the 2026 U.S. midterms. Thoughtful Lab described the project in a [thread on X](https://x.com/thoughtfullab/status/2115491465325617636) published October 28th, with the run scheduled through Election Day, November 3rd.

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