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.

1,713 stories · page 18 of 58

News · WI

On Sept. 25, 1961, Nelson signs Wisconsin seatbelt bill

Elections and voting

Gov. Gaylord Nelson signed a bill requiring all 1962 cars produced in Wisconsin to come equipped with seatbelts.

The Ballot Wisconsin DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs California gun-safety legislation

Public safety

The governor signed new bills focused on preventing gun violence and strengthening California’s gun-safety policies.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VT

Vermont governor candidates differ on AI, amendment

Housing

The candidates expressed differing views on artificial intelligence and a proposed constitutional amendment.

The Ballot Vermont DeskSep 27, 2026

News · PA

Fetterman defends party identity, avoids 51-seat scenario

Foreign policy

The Pennsylvania senator said he remains a Democrat but declined to discuss how he would handle ties under a possible 51-seat majority.

The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · NY

House Democrats plan broad Trump oversight

Elections and voting

Democrats are preparing wide-ranging House oversight of the Trump administration, with impeachment remaining one possible course.

The Ballot New York DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MO

New Missouri maps could reshape congressional districts

Elections and voting

Boundary changes could place some Missouri voters in different U.S. House districts for future elections.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs Braun’s Law and DUI bill package

Elections and voting

Braun’s Law is part of a group of signed bills aimed at strengthening California’s response to DUI offenders.

The Ballot California DeskSep 27, 2026

News · OR

Oregon governor orders additional AI regulation

Elections and voting

The governor has directed Oregon to increase oversight of artificial intelligence, with the scope and implementation still to be defined.

The Ballot Oregon DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WI

Baldwin bill would restrict federal agents near polls

Foreign policy

The Wisconsin senator’s bill would keep ICE, CBP and National Guard personnel away from polling places and routes used by voters.

The Ballot Wisconsin Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MA

Massachusetts newborn home visits draw radio scrutiny

Elections and voting

KIRO hosts questioned a Massachusetts home-visit initiative involving newborns, focusing attention on consent, privacy and oversight.

The Ballot Massachusetts DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MA

Healey announces free MBTA pilot for qualifying seniors

Elections and voting

The Massachusetts pilot would provide free MBTA service to seniors who meet its eligibility requirements.

The Ballot Massachusetts Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas judge rejects prison board control settlement

Public safety

The ruling keeps an injunction blocking two 2023 laws that moved oversight of Arkansas’ corrections secretary from the prison board to the governor.

The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · FL

Florida congressman seeks warrant rule for Flock data

Elections and voting

The proposal would require a warrant for access to data from Flock cameras, adding judicial review before covered searches could occur.

The Ballot Florida News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · DE

Delaware justices hear Fenwick Island entity-voting appeal

Elections and voting

The Delaware Supreme Court heard an appeal over whether legal entities may vote in Fenwick Island municipal elections.

The Ballot Delaware News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas judge keeps prison firing-power laws blocked

Public safety

A Pulaski County judge refused to lift an injunction against two laws that gave the governor authority to fire top corrections officials.

The Ballot Arkansas News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VA

What Virginia voters will decide in the 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Virginia’s Nov. 3 ballot includes a U.S. Senate race and elections in all 11 U.S. House districts.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WI

Data center votes draw scrutiny in Wisconsin campaigns

Economy and jobs

Incumbents from both parties are facing questions about earlier legislation on data center tax incentives and regulations.

The Ballot Wisconsin News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Padilla faults Trump administration’s election security plan

Foreign policy

California Sen. Alex Padilla said federal staffing and funding cuts have weakened election security and enabled false information to spread.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · AZ

Epstein-linked donor gave to Arizona congressman before release

Elections and voting

Phoenix New Times reported that a person it called an Epstein enabler contributed to an Arizona congressman before related files were released.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · NY

What the 2026 Senate Polls Listing Establishes

Elections and voting

The New York Times title points to 2026 Senate polling but does not identify a specific contest, candidate matchup or result.

The Ballot New York Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · FL

Florida congressman seeks warrants for Flock camera data

Elections and voting

A Florida member of Congress is proposing a warrant requirement for officials seeking access to Flock camera data.

The Ballot Florida DeskSep 27, 2026

News · TN

What to know about Tennessee’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Tennessee voters will choose a governor, a U.S. senator and representatives for all nine congressional districts on Nov. 3.

The Ballot Tennessee News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · DE

What to know about Delaware’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Delaware voters will elect a U.S. senator, a U.S. House member and an attorney general on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Delaware DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WI

What to know about Wisconsin’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Wisconsin voters will decide statewide offices and all eight U.S. House seats on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Wisconsin DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WV

Riley Moore bill would expand Shenandoah battlefield district

Elections and voting

The measure would add three West Virginia counties and one Virginia county to a national historic district covering Civil War sites.

The Ballot West Virginia DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

California court rejects Riverside sheriff’s ballot seizure

Elections and voting

The California Supreme Court ruled that the Riverside sheriff lacked legal authority to seize 650,000 ballots.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MO

Supreme Court keeps Missouri’s 2022 congressional map

Elections and voting

A unanimous order requires Missouri to use its 2022 congressional districts in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Missouri DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WV

Lawmakers fight over West Virginia education board powers

Education

A court battle is testing an April 2025 law that would give the Legislature power over state Board of Education regulations.

The Ballot West Virginia Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WY

What to know about Wyoming’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Wyoming voters will decide statewide races for U.S. Senate, governor and secretary of state on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Wyoming DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VT

Vermont’s 2026 election features three statewide races

Elections and voting

Voters will choose a governor, lieutenant governor and secretary of state, along with a representative to Vermont’s U.S. House seat.

The Ballot Vermont Policy DeskSep 27, 2026