Politics and government news

What government is actually doing — laws and executive action, budgets and taxes, housing, schools, health, courts, public safety, transport, energy, voting and campaigns — across Washington, the states and city hall. Filter below or page through the full archive.

1,705 stories · page 12 of 57

Candidate profile · RI

Candidate profile: Ana Quezada

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Ana Quezada is running in the uncontested 2026 general election for Rhode Island Senate District 2.

The Ballot Rhode Island Policy DeskSep 30, 2026

News · IL

Illinois climate migration effort nears report deadline

Energy and environment

More than a year after the first-of-its-kind law was signed, Illinois has made little progress toward a required December report.

The Ballot Illinois News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · AZ

Review Finds 8 Noncitizen Voters in Maricopa Since 2012

Elections and voting

An examination of more than 200 names identified eight noncitizens who voted in Maricopa County at some point since 2012.

The Ballot Arizona News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · FL

Florida local governments plan for Amendment 3 cuts

Economy and jobs

Cities and counties are reviewing service cuts, delayed projects and new fees if voters expand Florida’s homestead exemption.

The Ballot Florida Policy DeskSep 30, 2026

News · DE

Delaware lawmakers split as college sports bill clears Senate

Education

The Protect College Sports Act passed the Senate while Delaware’s lawmakers took different positions on the measure.

The Ballot Delaware News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · LA

What to know about Louisiana’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Louisiana voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives for all six congressional districts on Nov. 3.

The Ballot Louisiana News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · LA

Kennedy raises concerns as college sports bill clears Senate

Foreign policy

The Protect College Sports Act passed the U.S. Senate 77-22 as Louisiana Sen. John Kennedy expressed concerns about the measure.

The Ballot Louisiana DeskSep 30, 2026

News · MO

SEMO board approves $10 million campus renewal plan

Education

The program covers six facility and infrastructure projects, including roof, elevator, heating and cooling, laboratory and stadium work.

The Ballot Missouri DeskSep 30, 2026

News · SC

What to know about South Carolina’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

South Carolina voters will choose a governor, secretary of state, attorney general and representatives for all seven U.S. House districts.

The Ballot South Carolina News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · NJ

2026 New Jersey elections: Senate and House races

Elections and voting

New Jersey voters will elect one U.S. senator and representatives from all 12 congressional districts on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot New Jersey DeskSep 30, 2026

News · AZ

What Arizona voters should know about 8 propositions

Economy and jobs

The Legislature sent voters eight measures on election rules, taxes, school spending and other state policies.

The Ballot Arizona DeskSep 30, 2026

Candidate profile · MT

Greg Kmetz running in Montana House District 36

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Greg Kmetz is the only candidate listed in the 2026 general election race for Montana House District 36.

The Ballot Montana DeskSep 29, 2026

News · ID

Idaho dairy farms fear wider immigration enforcement

Immigration

Idaho dairies rely heavily on immigrant workers and worry that expanded federal enforcement could deepen existing labor shortages.

The Ballot Idaho News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · MN

Minnesota data center rules precede federal proposal

Energy and environment

Minnesota requires hyperscale data centers to cover certain power costs, while 22 local governments have paused new projects.

The Ballot Minnesota DeskSep 29, 2026

News · FL

Jury selection begins in Haitian American pastor's trial

Elections and voting

Christian Emmanuel Sanon faces a conspiracy trial tied to the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse.

The Ballot Florida News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · UT

Utah group launches campaign against proposed Amendment B

Economy and jobs

Utahns Protecting Our Constitution is urging voters statewide to reject a constitutional amendment involving taxes and voter authority.

The Ballot Utah News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · AZ

What Arizona voters should know about 8 propositions

Economy and jobs

The November measures address vehicle-mileage taxes, public-agency rules, elections, grocery taxes, schools and other state policies.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

Explainer · MS

Voter guide: Mississippi 2026 general election

Elections and voting

Mississippi voters should confirm election dates, registration status, voting rules and their local ballot before participating in 2026.

The Ballot Mississippi Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

Explainer · ID

Voter guide: Idaho’s 2026 general election

Elections and voting

Idaho voters should confirm election dates, registration rules, ballot contents and voting instructions before casting a ballot in 2026.

The Ballot Idaho DeskSep 29, 2026

Candidate profile · DE

Candidate profile: Kevin Hensley in Delaware House District 9

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Kevin Hensley is running in Delaware’s uncontested 2026 general election for House District 9.

The Ballot Delaware DeskSep 29, 2026

Candidate profile · AR

Mark McElroy runs unopposed for Arkansas House District 62

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Mark McElroy is the only listed candidate for Arkansas House District 62 in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Arkansas DeskSep 29, 2026

Candidate profile · AK

Mike Prax profile: Alaska House District 33

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Mike Prax is running in Alaska House District 33 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

Explainer · WV

West Virginia 2026 general election voter guide

Elections and voting

West Virginia voters should confirm their registration, review their ballot and verify voting instructions before the 2026 general election.

The Ballot West Virginia Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

Candidate profile · TX

Candidate profile: Michael Swanson

Elections and voting

Michael Swanson is a Democrat in Texas’ contested U.S. Senate general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Texas DeskSep 29, 2026

Explainer · RI

Voter guide: Rhode Island’s 2026 general election

Elections and voting

A plain-language checklist for tracking election dates, reviewing the ballot, registering and making a voting plan in Rhode Island.

The Ballot Rhode Island News DeskSep 29, 2026

Race preview · NY

Three candidates are running in New York’s 1st District

Elections and voting

Two Democrats and one NNE candidate are contesting New York’s 1st Congressional District in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot New York DeskSep 29, 2026

Candidate profile · WY

Candidate profile: Ann Lucas in Wyoming House District 43

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Ann Lucas is the only candidate listed in Wyoming’s 2026 general election race for House District 43.

The Ballot Wyoming DeskSep 29, 2026

Race preview · VT

Chittenden-14 State House race set for 2026 ballot

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbents Mary-Katherine Stone and Barbara Rachelson are running in the contested Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Vermont News DeskSep 29, 2026

Race preview · SD

Two Republican incumbents run in House District 18

Elections and voting

Incumbents Mike Stevens and Julie Auch are the candidates in South Dakota House District 18’s contested 2026 general election.

The Ballot South Dakota DeskSep 29, 2026

Candidate profile · HI

Candidate profile: Matthias Kusch

Elections and voting

Democrat Matthias Kusch is the incumbent candidate for Hawaii State House District 1 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Hawaii News DeskSep 29, 2026