News · US
Ossoff and Collins put routine work in reelection pitches
Economy and jobsJon Ossoff and Susan Collins are highlighting day-to-day job performance as they make their cases for reelection.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
Editors · Elections and campaigns
The Ballot National Desk
Nonpartisan federal politics and policy coverage
The Ballot National Desk covers Congress, federal policy and nationwide election rules. Every story is sourced to public records: FEC filings, Congress.gov, federal agencies and state election offices. The desk does not endorse candidates or parties.
182 stories published
News · US
Inside an ICE arrest amid renewed scrutiny
ImmigrationICE agents were observed going to arrest a man as the agency faced renewed scrutiny a month before November’s midterm elections.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Local election campaigning intensifies across Taiwan
Elections and votingLocal campaigns are drawing increased attention across Taiwan without centering on a single named contest or candidate.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Pleasanton voters to choose mayor and two council seats
Elections and votingMayor Jack Balch faces Julie Testa as District 1 and District 3 voters choose replacements for departing councilmembers.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Poll details do not settle Democratic path to Congress
Elections and votingNo named polling results or seat estimates establish whether Democrats can win control of Congress in the election.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
State Department clashes with Democrats over Venezuela briefing
Energy and environmentA Senate briefing was postponed after lawmakers left Washington, while Democrats questioned a Pentagon-linked stake in a Venezuelan oil producer.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Republicans face immigration divide before midterms
ImmigrationThe GOP is balancing its support for Trump’s border policies against voter dissatisfaction with aggressive immigration enforcement.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
2026 preview: 18th Legislative District
Elections and votingThe 18th Legislative District is identified for 2026, but no specific contest or candidate field has been established.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Congress changes cash payments with Common Cents Act
Elections and votingThe bipartisan congressional measure changes cash-payment policy as part of an effort to reduce government waste.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
House Republicans set four-part message for final midterm push
Elections and votingA leadership memo tells House Republicans to emphasize the border, government spending, the economy and public safety before the November midterms.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
National launches campaign bus as parties hold events
Elections and votingChristopher Luxon is scheduled to speak in Auckland at 11.30am before taking questions from the media.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Vance says Republicans face an uphill midterm contest
Elections and votingVice President JD Vance used an NBC News interview to set restrained expectations for Republican candidates in November.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
G7 agrees to release 100 million barrels of oil
Energy and environmentThe international agreement includes diesel and comes as rising prices put political pressure on President Donald Trump and Republicans.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Hegseth orders October voting day off for all US troops
Elections and votingThe Pentagon policy gives every U.S. service member one day off in October to vote and will return in even-numbered election years.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Pentagon sending 4,000-plus personnel to Middle East
Foreign policyMore than 4,000 Marines and sailors aboard three warships are being sent to the U.S. Central Command theater.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Redrawn districts shape GOP path to a House majority
Elections and votingTrump’s 2024 margins in newly drawn districts are central to Republican efforts to gain Democratic-held House seats.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
FBI arrests man accused of cyberstalking Katie Miller
Public safetyJohn Anthony Proia III faces one federal cyberstalking count over repeated calls, texts and voicemails allegedly sent to Miller and her family.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Trump order titled ‘Era of Super Intelligence’ published
Elections and votingExecutive Order 14434, signed by President Donald Trump on Sept. 29, 2026, was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 2.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Pentagon opens state contest for new military base
EducationGovernors can pitch sites for a base of up to 25,000 service members, with schools, housing, land and local cooperation among the criteria.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Senate confirms Keith Sonderling as labor secretary
Elections and votingThe Senate approved Sonderling in a 47-41 party-line vote after he led the Labor Department in an acting capacity for several months.
The Ballot National DeskOct 1, 2026
News · US
White House drops CNN from pool for Trump trip
Economy and jobsCNN had been assigned to travel aboard Air Force One and provide shared coverage of President Donald Trump’s visits to Texas and Oklahoma.
The Ballot National DeskOct 1, 2026
News · US
Hegseth unveils six Pentagon initiatives at Quantico
Foreign policyThe defense secretary announced six new efforts during a wide-ranging address to active-duty officers in Virginia.
The Ballot National DeskOct 1, 2026
News · US
Musk joins Pentagon project on future warfare
Foreign policyElon Musk, Palmer Luckey and Newt Gingrich will lead a 120-day review of emerging military technologies and future areas of conflict.
The Ballot National DeskOct 1, 2026
News · US
Lara Trump says Iran war could carry a midterm cost
Foreign policyThe former Republican National Committee co-chair said losing both chambers of Congress would be worth the political cost of the Iran war.
The Ballot National DeskOct 1, 2026