News · US
Quebec vote puts Trump ahead of independence in debate
Elections and votingQuebec voters head to the polls as attention centers more on Donald Trump than on the province’s independence debate.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 6, 2026
Editors · Daily news
The Ballot National (US) News Desk
Daily political news from National (US)
The News Desk follows the daily political news in National (US), from campaign developments to government decisions, sourced from public records and reporting.
194 stories published
News · US
Karoline Leavitt joins Fox News as a contributor
Elections and votingThe former White House press secretary is taking a Fox News role, following Kayleigh McEnany’s move to the network in 2021.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 6, 2026
News · US
Jeffries says Democrats will target Republican-held seats
Elections and votingHouse Democrats plan to compete in more Republican-held districts as Trump campaigns in red states to energize his supporters.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
DDHQ gives Democrats House advantage, Senate edge
Energy and environmentThirty days before Election Day, DDHQ favored Democrats in the House and gave them a slight Senate edge.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
Parti Québécois leader remains first in polls near election
Elections and votingThe Parti Québécois leader continues to hold the top position in polling as election day approaches.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
GOP senators seek answers on Hegseth military cuts
Foreign policySenior Republican senators want more notice and transparency after Pete Hegseth announced a 20 percent reduction in generals and admirals.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
Rahm Emanuel urges Democrats to avoid Trump impeachment
Economy and jobsThe former Chicago mayor said Democrats should pursue ethics changes, not impeachment, if they gain control of the House.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
Trump groups spend millions on key congressional races
Elections and votingMAGA Inc. and two affiliated groups are directing tens of millions of dollars into pivotal House and Senate contests.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
No clear favorite established for 2026 House or Senate
Elections and votingNo verified odds or election results establish either party as the favorite to control Congress after the 2026 midterms.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
Quebec voters head to the polls Monday after long campaign
Elections and votingQuebec’s 2026 campaign moves to election day Monday after more than five weeks of campaigning.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · US
Scandals could matter more in close midterm contests
Elections and votingHigh-profile scandals may shape several midterm races where a small change in support could affect the result.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
AI campaign deepfakes begin drawing legal threats
Elections and votingLegal threats over AI-generated campaign media are raising questions about responsibility, remedies and how quickly disputes can be resolved.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro end campaigns before first round
Elections and votingLula and Flavio Bolsonaro are concluding their campaigns as Brazil prepares for a first-round vote.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
White House cites standards in defending outlet bans
Elections and votingJustice Department lawyers say CNN, MS NOW and Politico failed to meet the president’s minimum standards of professionalism.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Wallace and Meuser compete for Pennsylvania’s 9th District
Elections and votingDemocrat Rachel Wallace is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser in the Nov. 3 election for a two-year House term.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Lebanon-related presidential determinations revoked
Elections and votingThe Executive Office of the President published a one-page determination concerning earlier presidential determinations related to Lebanon.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
No winner yet in the 2026 House and Senate elections
Elections and votingThe 2026 midterms have no established winner, and control of the House and Senate remains unsettled.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Republican Senate group shifts ad spending to Kansas
Elections and votingThe Senate Leadership Fund ended future North Carolina ads, started a Kansas effort and kept its Georgia spending in place.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Congressional control turns on a group of midterm races
Elections and votingA national map highlights the congressional contests whose combined results will determine control of Congress.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Senate’s final week before midterms, captured in photos
Elections and votingImages from Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 show senators, a Judiciary Committee hearing and activity around the Capitol.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
What September’s hiring slowdown says about the economy
Economy and jobsEmployers added 29,000 jobs in September, raising questions about consumer prices, interest rates and economic conditions before the midterms.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Hegseth creates Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs
Foreign policyThe new office reports directly to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, placing religious affairs within his immediate Pentagon leadership structure.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Trump says Iran war will end soon as 9,000 troops deploy
Foreign policyTwo U.S. naval groups are heading to the Middle East, where American forces could soon total about 20,000.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
How Hegseth is seeking to reshape the Pentagon
Foreign policyThe defense secretary is changing military leadership and culture while accelerating work on autonomous weapons and emerging technology.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026