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.

1,711 stories · page 14 of 58

News · CA

California governor signs 10 firearm-related laws

Public safety

The governor described the 10 new laws as gun-safety measures, while Guns.com characterized them as restrictions on guns.

The Ballot California DeskSep 29, 2026

News · AZ

Arizona Lawmaker Seeks Federal Help for English Services

Elections and voting

An Arizona lawmaker has proposed increasing federal support for services that help people gain English fluency.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

California court orders return of 650,000 seized ballots

Elections and voting

The California Supreme Court directed the Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 ballots taken into custody.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · VA

Virginia lawmakers warn higher marijuana fines deepen disparities

Elections and voting

Lawmakers raised concerns that larger fines for public marijuana use would worsen unequal outcomes among racial groups.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · AR

Saline County to vote on library property tax cut

Economy and jobs

The ballot question would reduce property tax funding for the Saline County library system by 35%.

The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · NY

No Leader Identified in 2026 Congressional Races

Elections and voting

No candidate or party can be called ahead without a defined contest, polling figures or election results.

The Ballot New York DeskSep 29, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania senator proposes rules for hemp THC products

Foreign policy

The bill would set age limits and testing requirements for hemp products containing THC in Pennsylvania.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

California governor signs bill framed as contrast with Trump

Elections and voting

The governor approved a state measure described as a counterpoint to Trump, turning the proposal into California law.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

California governor signs marijuana policy bills

Elections and voting

The new laws address marijuana testing, product tracking and consumers’ access to information.

The Ballot California DeskSep 29, 2026

News · NY

Trump seeks a lasting physical mark on Washington

Housing

Trump is applying his New York real estate outlook to a capital governed by distinct historic and legal considerations.

The Ballot New York Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · NY

Ocasio-Cortez weighs presidential or Senate run in 2028

Elections and voting

The New York representative says she may decide after the 2026 midterms, while Sen. Chuck Schumer has not announced his 2028 plans.

The Ballot New York News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · AZ

What Arizona voters should know about 8 propositions

Economy and jobs

Eight measures sent to the ballot by state lawmakers address taxes, education, election rules and other state policies.

The Ballot Arizona News DeskSep 29, 2026

Candidate profile · MT

Jamie Isaly seeks reelection in Montana House District 58

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Jamie Isaly is running in the uncontested 2026 general election for Montana House District 58.

The Ballot Montana News DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · MS

Candidate profile: Joseph Thomas

Elections and voting

Joseph Thomas is a Democratic incumbent, but no race or election is directly linked to his profile.

The Ballot Mississippi News DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · MO

Candidate profile: Bethany Mann in Missouri’s 3rd District

Elections and voting

Democrat Bethany Mann is one of nine candidates in Missouri’s 2026 race for the 3rd Congressional District.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 28, 2026

News · IL

Illinois climate migration effort stalls after first law

Energy and environment

Illinois enacted the nation’s first climate migration law, but the state’s follow-through has stalled.

The Ballot Illinois DeskSep 28, 2026

News · MS

What to know about Mississippi’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Mississippi voters will decide a U.S. Senate race and contests in all four congressional districts on Nov. 3.

The Ballot Mississippi DeskSep 28, 2026

News · AK

‘Lower 48’ becomes a fault line in Alaska Senate contest

Elections and voting

The phrase is being used to question whether political figures answer to Alaskans or powerful interests outside the state.

The Ballot Alaska News DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · ME

Candidate profile: Chellie M Pingree in Maine’s 1st District

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Chellie M Pingree is one of seven candidates in Maine’s contested 1st District race.

The Ballot Maine DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · LA

Julie Cathryn Emerson enters Louisiana’s 2026 Senate race

Elections and voting

Republican Julie Cathryn Emerson is among 21 candidates listed for Louisiana’s Nov. 3, 2026, U.S. Senate election.

The Ballot Louisiana News DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · KY

Candidate profile: Bowman J Jay in Kentucky’s 6th District

Elections and voting

Bowman J Jay, listed with the designation NNE, is running in Kentucky’s contested 6th District U.S. House election.

The Ballot Kentucky DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · ID

Candidate profile: Ben Toews for Idaho Senate District 4

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Ben Toews is running in Idaho Senate District 4 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Idaho Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · DE

Candidate profile: Kam Smith in Delaware House District 15

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Kam Smith is running in Delaware House District 15 in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.

The Ballot Delaware Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

Explainer · DC

Voter guide: District of Columbia 2026 general election

Elections and voting

District voters should confirm registration, ballot and voting details before participating in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot District of Columbia News DeskSep 28, 2026

Explainer · AR

Voter guide: Arkansas 2026 general election

Elections and voting

Arkansas voters can prepare by checking registration, election dates, ballot contents and voting instructions before casting a ballot.

The Ballot Arkansas News DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · AK

Candidate profile: Kevin McCabe

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Kevin McCabe is running for Alaska House District 30 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Alaska DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · WV

Candidate profile: Bryan Ward in West Virginia House District 86

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Bryan Ward is running in the uncontested 2026 general election for West Virginia House District 86.

The Ballot West Virginia News DeskSep 28, 2026

Race preview · WA

Five candidates enter Washington’s 8th District race

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Kim Schrier and four Republican candidates are listed in the contested 2026 race for Washington’s 8th District.

The Ballot Washington Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · UT

Candidate profile: Tyler Scott Farnsworth

Elections and voting

Democrat Tyler Scott Farnsworth is running for Utah’s 2nd Congressional District in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Utah Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

Candidate profile · VA

Candidate profile: Jacob Roginsky in Virginia’s 7th District

Elections and voting

Republican Jacob Roginsky is among 18 candidates listed in Virginia’s 2026 race for the 7th Congressional District.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 28, 2026