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
Politics and government news
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491 stories · page 2 of 17
News · US
US, Australia close Brazil diplomatic services before vote
Elections and votingBoth governments cited security concerns for closures announced Friday, two days before Brazilians were scheduled to vote.
The Ballot National (US) Policy 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
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
Iraq warns of ISIS risk from Syria after US troop exit
ImmigrationIraq is reinforcing its border posture as officials monitor ISIS activity in Syria following the end of the US military mission in Iraq.
The Ballot National (US) Policy 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
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
Senate Worked 32 More Weekdays Than House, Tally Finds
Elections and votingThe 32-day difference compares chamber work schedules, not hours worked or legislative results.
The Ballot National (US) Policy 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
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
2026 midterms: No House or Senate winner yet
Elections and votingPolls, odds and forecasts can track the campaign, but the 2026 elections will determine control of Congress in 2027.
The Ballot National (US) Policy 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
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
Brazil vote may reshape Senate more than House
Elections and votingThe election may produce limited change in Brazil’s House while altering the Senate more noticeably.
The Ballot National (US) Policy 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
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 raises hostile-fire pay after two decades
Foreign policyThe Pentagon increased pay for U.S. troops serving in hostile-fire and imminent-danger conditions, making the first rate change in more than 20 years.
The Ballot National (US) Policy 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
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
Brit Hume says Republicans lack midterm momentum
Elections and votingThe Fox News commentator pointed to polling, the country’s mood and political challenges facing the GOP weeks before Election Day.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Federal Register Limits Automated Access to Public Records
Elections and votingAn access screen directs automated users to government APIs but announces no federal pest-control policy.
The Ballot National (US) News 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
Brazil vote opens amid debt and US-China rivalry
ImmigrationBrazil’s closely divided presidential vote carries consequences for debt, immigration and the country’s place between the United States and China.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Trump expected to choose Jay Clayton as AI czar
HousingThe administration is considering giving Clayton the AI role while he continues serving as director of national intelligence.
The Ballot National (US) News 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
Gen Z candidates struggle to gain ground in Congress
Elections and votingMore than 100 Gen Z candidates began congressional campaigns this cycle, but few have turned those bids into success.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Federal Register Directs Automated Users to APIs
Elections and votingThe federal publication website is limiting automated access and directing developers to official APIs.
The Ballot National (US) News 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
Demócratas y republicanos compiten por el voto latino
Elections and votingLa economía y el rechazo a la política migratoria de Donald Trump ponen a prueba los avances republicanos entre votantes latinos.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Poll finds most Americans blame Trump for high prices
Economy and jobsAn AP-NORC poll finds President Donald Trump’s economic approval at a new low as most Americans hold him responsible for high prices.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026