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Libby Nelson

Libby Nelson

Policy Editor

As Vox’s policy editor, Libby Nelson leads the site’s coverage of how government action and inaction shape American life. She works with a team of reporters who cover health care, the economy, social policy, education, climate, and the intersection of race and policy, among other topics.

Libby has more than a decade of policy journalism experience, beginning with a 2009 internship at the Chronicle of Higher Education, where she was introduced to the federal higher ed policy beat. She spent a year early in her career as a local reporter in Scranton, Pennsylvania, but found herself unable to resist the siren call of negotiated rule-making sessions and education subcommittee hearings. She returned to Washington, DC in 2011 to cover higher education policy for Inside Higher Ed, then Politico, then — beginning three weeks before the site launched in 2014 — Vox. She became an editor on the policy and politics desk in 2017.

Libby is an adjunct instructor at American University’s School of Public Affairs and School of International Service, where she teaches policy and opinion writing for a general audience. She lives in Washington, DC.

Latest articles by Libby Nelson

Who shot Trump? What we know about the assassination attempt.Who shot Trump? What we know about the assassination attempt.
Politics

This is what happened at the Butler rally, as we understand it right now.

By Dylan Matthews, Christian Paz and 2 more
The Vox guide to open enrollmentThe Vox guide to open enrollment
Policy

Every year, picking a health plan is a frustrating guessing game. Here’s how to navigate your choices — and understand the system that built them.

By Libby Nelson
The “fairness” debate over student loan forgiveness, explainedThe “fairness” debate over student loan forgiveness, explained
Politics

Why economists are fighting over whether canceling debt is a good idea.

By Libby Nelson
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek has died after 36 years of hosting the showJeopardy host Alex Trebek has died after 36 years of hosting the show
Culture

The show made him a household name. Now it has to go on without him.

By Libby Nelson
Trump says he will fill Ginsburg’s seat “without delay”Trump says he will fill Ginsburg’s seat “without delay”
Politics

He told reporters he expects to nominate a justice — likely a woman — in the next several days.

By Libby Nelson
A spontaneous Supreme Court vigil celebrated Justice Ginsburg’s life and legacyA spontaneous Supreme Court vigil celebrated Justice Ginsburg’s life and legacy
Politics

Hundreds of people gathered on the building’s steps Friday night.

By Libby Nelson
Scenes from Saturday night’s protests across the country
Politics

It was another night of nationwide protest over George Floyd’s death.

By Libby Nelson
What we know about the nationwide protestsWhat we know about the nationwide protests
Politics

Protests erupted in Minneapolis, Atlanta, Detroit, and around the country.

By Libby Nelson and Dylan Scott
Vox Sentences: This newsletter is not a draft, a mistake, or unsignedVox Sentences: This newsletter is not a draft, a mistake, or unsigned
archives

The fallout from Soleimani’s killing; an attack at an Indian university.

By Cameron Peters and Libby Nelson
US airstrike kills Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani: what we knowUS airstrike kills Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani: what we know
World Politics

A major escalation in tensions between the US and Iran.

By Libby Nelson and Caroline Houck