News · NY
Hochul names special prosecutor in Cornell rape case
EducationAttorney General Letitia James will review the handling of an alleged 2024 sexual assault involving a Cornell University student.
The Ballot New York News DeskOct 4, 2026
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.
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901 stories · page 2 of 31
News · AZ
Arizona candidate residency questions remain unresolved
Elections and votingSome Arizona candidates face questions about where they live, while the state’s residency rules remain difficult to enforce.
The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · OH
Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax suspension
Economy and jobsOhio’s governor signed a bill temporarily suspending the state gas tax for 90 days.
The Ballot Ohio News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · OR
Oregon voting article lacks election-specific details
Elections and votingThe OPB item concerns voting in Oregon and mentions Washington but is not connected to a specific election, race or candidate.
The Ballot Oregon Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee orders review after Pike survives execution attempt
Elections and votingThe governor ordered an outside review after death row inmate Christa Pike remained alive following an execution attempt.
The Ballot Tennessee DeskOct 4, 2026
News · MT
Montana 2026 election guide pairs races with past results
Elections and votingAn NBC News election guide groups Montana’s 2026 races with the state’s historical presidential election results.
The Ballot Montana News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · LA
Louisiana 2026 Election Races Await Specific Details
Elections and votingThe 2026 Louisiana election overview names no specific race, candidate or policy position while pairing the cycle with past presidential results.
The Ballot Louisiana Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · MT
Montana court blocks mail voting law
Elections and votingThe ruling stops enforcement of a Montana law linked to thousands of rejected absentee ballots last year.
The Ballot Montana DeskOct 4, 2026
News · MD
Moore announces funding for child poverty initiative
Elections and votingMaryland Gov. Wes Moore announced funding for an initiative intended to address child poverty in the state.
The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California math-testing bill SB 1067 signed into law
Foreign policySB 1067, a California math-testing measure associated with a San Diego state senator, has been signed into law.
The Ballot California Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · AZ
Congress passes bill to make Chiricahua a national park
Elections and votingThe measure would make Chiricahua National Monument Arizona’s fourth national park if it receives final presidential approval.
The Ballot Arizona News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee governor pauses executions, orders outside review
Elections and votingAll Tennessee executions are paused for the rest of the year while a third party conducts a review ordered by the governor.
The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · IA
Team mix-up drives viral moment at Jack Smith hearing
EducationSen. Eric Schmitt accused Jack Smith of lying under oath after confusing the Iowa Hawkeyes with the Atlanta Hawks.
The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · IA
Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant
Economy and jobsThe new law raises Iowa’s tax incentive ceiling for a steel plant valued at billion, expanding the amount the project may qualify for.
The Ballot Iowa DeskOct 4, 2026
News · IA
Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant
Economy and jobsThe new law raises the tax-incentive ceiling connected to a steel plant valued at billion.
The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California Governor Signs Three AI, Workplace Surveillance Bills
Elections and votingThe three measures establish California laws addressing artificial intelligence and monitoring in the workplace.
The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs Rubio measure targeting court abuse
Foreign policyGov. Gavin Newsom signed state Sen. Susan Rubio’s legislation aimed at stopping abusers from using courts against survivors.
The Ballot California DeskOct 4, 2026
News · AL
Trump holds Alabama rally focused on midterm enthusiasm
Energy and environmentThe president’s rally comes as Republicans voice concern about control of Congress and voters face high costs and gas prices.
The Ballot Alabama Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs VPP, balcony solar bills; vetoes another
Energy and environmentCalifornia’s governor approved bills on virtual power plants and balcony solar but rejected separate community solar legislation.
The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · NC
Trump says he is worried about Whatley in North Carolina
Elections and votingTrump praised Republican Senate nominee Michael Whatley but voiced concern as a Senate Republican super PAC canceled state reservations.
The Ballot North Carolina Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California limits use of AI in employee dismissals
Elections and votingA new California law restricts how artificial intelligence may be used when employers decide to dismiss workers.
The Ballot California DeskOct 3, 2026
News · VA
West Virginia governor announces state park funding
Elections and votingBlennerhassett Island is among the state parks included in a funding announcement from West Virginia’s governor.
The Ballot Virginia DeskOct 3, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs California SB 690 on pen-register claims
Elections and votingThe new California law changes the legal landscape for lawsuits involving pen registers, without a directly linked election or candidate race.
The Ballot California Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · NY
New York approves electric lawn equipment rebates
Elections and votingThe state program will offer rebates for electric lawn equipment to landscapers and municipalities.
The Ballot New York Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · OH
Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax pause into law
Economy and jobsThe governor has approved an Ohio gas tax measure that creates a temporary 90-day pause.
The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee senator sues over Jan. 6 phone records
Foreign policyA Tennessee senator has taken a dispute over the seizure of phone records connected to Jan. 6 to court.
The Ballot Tennessee News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · DE
Delaware governor vetoes emergency powers bill
Elections and votingThe governor rejected a state of emergency measure whose proposed rules would not have applied to him.
The Ballot Delaware DeskOct 3, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee cancels executions after failed Pike injection
Elections and votingThe state canceled executions after officials were unable to execute Christa Pike by lethal injection.
The Ballot Tennessee DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AZ
Supreme Court rejects Arizona prison health care delay
Health careArizona failed to stop the scheduled start of a court-ordered takeover of health care in its state prisons.
The Ballot Arizona DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AK
Alaska moves to drop land claims near Statehood Act limit
Energy and environmentThe state is reviewing up to 5.7 million acres of lower-priority claims as it approaches its federal land entitlement.
The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskOct 3, 2026