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 23 of 58

News · ID

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 that had been seized.

The Ballot Idaho DeskSep 25, 2026

News · MT

Montana court returns Butte data center measure to ballot

Elections and voting

The Montana Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that had blocked a proposed data center initiative in Butte-Silver Bow County.

The Ballot Montana News DeskSep 25, 2026

News · IA

Iowa Judge Dismisses Trump Lawsuit Over Register Poll

Elections and voting

The case challenged a pre-election poll showing Donald Trump behind Kamala Harris, and the judge warned about effects on news reporting.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 25, 2026

News · OH

Court allows Ohio citizenship proof rule at BMV

Elections and voting

A federal appeals panel reversed an order that had blocked Ohio’s citizenship-document rule for voter registration at BMV offices.

The Ballot Ohio News DeskSep 25, 2026

News · NV

Nevada AG’s office proposes expanding Medicaid fraud unit

Health care

The proposal would enlarge an existing attorney general’s office function focused on Medicaid fraud.

The Ballot Nevada Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · OK

Judge says Oklahoma cannot exclude Jewish charter school

Education

The federal ruling allows Ben Gamla Jewish Charter School to continue seeking approval, though appeals could delay the case.

The Ballot Oklahoma DeskSep 25, 2026

News · NE

Pillen announces 90-day diesel tax pause for agriculture

Economy and jobs

Nebraska agricultural producers are set to receive a temporary, 90-day pause on diesel taxes under an announcement from Gov. Jim Pillen.

The Ballot Nebraska Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · UT

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 that had been seized.

The Ballot Utah DeskSep 25, 2026

News · OH

Court restores Ohio voter citizenship proof law

Elections and voting

A 2-1 ruling restores Ohio’s proof-of-citizenship requirement one month after a lower court temporarily blocked the voter ID law.

The Ballot Ohio DeskSep 25, 2026

News · LA

Silver Alert for Longview man who may head to Louisiana

Public safety

Police are looking for Ricky Hughes, 69, who has a cognitive impairment and was last seen at a Longview hospital.

The Ballot Louisiana News DeskSep 25, 2026

News · MD

Maryland revenue forecast rises, but budget gap remains

Economy and jobs

Maryland expects nearly more this fiscal year, though state leaders say the increase will not eliminate the budget shortfall.

The Ballot Maryland DeskSep 25, 2026

News · MD

Maryland tightens data center rules amid rapid growth

Elections and voting

Maryland is adding guardrails for data centers as more states respond to the industry’s fast expansion.

The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas officials weigh national college sports proposal

Health care

The bipartisan measure would set national NIL and revenue-sharing rules while adding protections involving scholarships and health care.

The Ballot Arkansas DeskSep 25, 2026

News · IL

Ramirez bill would replace DHS, ICE and CBP

Immigration

The Illinois Democrat proposes a new Department of Community Safety and shifting at least billion toward community programs.

The Ballot Illinois Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

News · KS

Kansas amendment divides Secretary of State candidates

Elections and voting

A proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot has become a point of debate in the race for Kansas Secretary of State.

The Ballot Kansas DeskSep 25, 2026

Candidate profile · RI

Candidate profile: Frank Ciccone in Senate District 7

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Frank Ciccone is running in Rhode Island Senate District 7 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Rhode Island DeskSep 25, 2026

Candidate profile · OH

Candidate profile: Jacob Thomas Mr. Frost

Elections and voting

Frost is one of 10 candidates listed in the contested 2026 election for Ohio’s 9th Congressional District.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskSep 25, 2026

Candidate profile · NV

Kathy L Durham: Candidate for Nevada’s 2nd District

Elections and voting

Democrat Kathy L Durham is running in the contested 2026 general election for Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District.

The Ballot Nevada News DeskSep 25, 2026

Candidate profile · WY

Candidate profile: Lloyd Larsen in Wyoming House District 54

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Lloyd Larsen is running in Wyoming House District 54 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Wyoming DeskSep 25, 2026

Race preview · VT

2026 Orange-Washington-Addison State House race preview

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbents Jay Hooper and Larry Satcowitz are running in the district’s contested Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Vermont Policy DeskSep 24, 2026

Candidate profile · HI

Candidate profile: Cory Chun in Hawaii House District 35

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Cory Chun is running in the uncontested 2026 general election for Hawaii House District 35.

The Ballot Hawaii Policy DeskSep 24, 2026

Race preview · ND

Two Republican incumbents run in House District 34

Elections and voting

Todd Porter and Nathan Toman, both Republican incumbents, are candidates in North Dakota’s contested 2026 House District 34 race.

The Ballot North Dakota Policy DeskSep 24, 2026

Candidate profile · NM

Candidate profile: Joy Garratt for New Mexico House District 29

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Joy Garratt is seeking election in New Mexico House District 29 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot New Mexico Policy DeskSep 24, 2026

Candidate profile · NH

Dean Pennington profile: 2026 NH-2 candidate

Elections and voting

Dean Pennington is a Democrat running in the contested 2026 general election for New Hampshire’s 2nd Congressional District.

The Ballot New Hampshire DeskSep 24, 2026

Explainer · NE

Nebraska 2026 general election voter guide

Elections and voting

What Nebraska voters should check before registering, reviewing their ballot and voting in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Nebraska News DeskSep 24, 2026

News · MT

Federal judge blocks Montana political deepfake ad law

Elections and voting

The federal court action stops Montana’s political “deepfake” advertising law from operating under the terms of the judge’s order.

The Ballot Montana DeskSep 24, 2026

News · CA

Orange County Register urges No vote on Proposition 1

Housing

The newspaper argues that taking on more debt would not solve California’s housing shortage.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 24, 2026

News · CA

California voter ID argument centers on election rules

Elections and voting

A Los Angeles Times contributor is urging California to adopt an identification law intended to ensure votes count.

The Ballot California DeskSep 24, 2026

News · MS

Mississippi absentee voting: Eligibility and deadlines

Elections and voting

Mississippi voters seeking to cast an absentee ballot must meet eligibility rules, applicable deadlines and the state’s new in-person process.

The Ballot Mississippi News DeskSep 24, 2026

News · MO

Missouri congressional map returns to U.S. Supreme Court

Elections and voting

An emergency appeal challenges an appellate order reviving new districts after the justices twice blocked their use in November.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskSep 24, 2026