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.

923 stories · page 23 of 31

News · NC

Trump calls North Carolina among nation's worst

Energy and environment

At a Gastonia rally for Michael Whatley, Trump criticized Roy Cooper over public safety and Hurricane Helene.

The Ballot North Carolina Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · TX

Texas Advances Three-Year Bachelor’s Degree Initiative

Education

Texas is moving forward with an initiative intended to shorten bachelor’s degree programs and reduce college costs.

The Ballot Texas News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AL

Alabama executes Jeffery Lee for 1998 pawn shop killings

Energy and environment

The state used lethal injection three months after a federal judge blocked Lee’s planned execution with nitrogen gas.

The Ballot Alabama News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AZ

Arizona sues L’Oréal over chemical relaxer cancer risks

Elections and voting

Arizona has taken L’Oréal to court over alleged cancer risks associated with chemical relaxers.

The Ballot Arizona DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VA

Virginia attorney general creates firearms enforcement unit

Public safety

The FAIR Unit will investigate gun manufacturers and dealers and may bring civil lawsuits under Virginia’s responsible-conduct law.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · CA

Newsom Signs ‘Leno’s Law’ at Jay Leno’s Garage

Elections and voting

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the car-related measure known as “Leno’s Law” during a visit to Jay Leno’s Garage.

The Ballot California DeskSep 18, 2026

News · LA

Two indicted in alleged Louisiana mayoral voting scheme

Elections and voting

Two people face indictments over an alleged voting scheme connected to a Louisiana mayor’s race.

The Ballot Louisiana DeskSep 18, 2026

News · ID

University of Idaho President Green plans June 2027 exit

Education

Scott Green will retire after eight years leading the university through financial strain, the pandemic and institutional change.

The Ballot Idaho DeskSep 18, 2026

News · WV

West Virginia voters to decide citizen-only voting amendment

Elections and voting

A proposed amendment on citizen-only voting will go before West Virginia voters in November.

The Ballot West Virginia DeskSep 18, 2026

News · NC

NC appeals court upholds election powers transfer to auditor

Elections and voting

The court ruled lawmakers did not violate the state constitution by moving elections board appointment authority to the state auditor.

The Ballot North Carolina News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VA

Dominion updates terms of proposed Virginia NextEra deal

Energy and environment

Dominion changed parts of its proposed merger with NextEra as Spanberger and other lawmakers scrutinize the transaction.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 18, 2026

News · NC

NC appeals court rejects Stein election board challenge

Elections and voting

The decision reinforces State Auditor Dave Boliek’s control over appointments to North Carolina’s election boards.

The Ballot North Carolina DeskSep 18, 2026

News · WY

Wyoming governor backs repeal of power plant rules

Elections and voting

Wyoming’s governor welcomed the Trump administration’s move to repeal federal rules affecting power plants.

The Ballot Wyoming DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AL

Doug Jones proposes Alabama election system changes

Elections and voting

Jones is calling for a major election change and expanded authority for one of Alabama’s highest state offices.

The Ballot Alabama DeskSep 18, 2026

News · CA

California GOP official apologizes over dead-voter claim

Elections and voting

The party official apologized for saying dead people voted but continues examining the issue independently of any identified race.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · ND

Howe says North Dakota needed a voice in mail ballot case

Elections and voting

The Supreme Court blocked new federal mail-voting restrictions before November, a result welcomed by North Dakota Secretary of State Michael Howe.

The Ballot North Dakota Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · TX

Cornyn says he will not vote for Bo French

Elections and voting

Cornyn has ruled out voting for Bo French in a Texas race but has not identified an alternative choice.

The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · WI

Van Orden Backs Data Center Rate Protection

Elections and voting

Derrick Van Orden voted for an effort intended to protect Wisconsin families from electricity rate increases tied to data centers.

The Ballot Wisconsin DeskSep 18, 2026

News · KY

Appeals court action releases Matt Bevin from jail

Elections and voting

Former Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin is out of jail following action by a court of appeals in his case.

The Ballot Kentucky DeskSep 18, 2026

News · FL

Florida AG proposes tougher penalties for phone and text scams

Public safety

James Uthmeier’s proposal targets mass scam operations, fake caller identities and delayed responses to requests to stop telemarketing messages.

The Ballot Florida Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MS

Mississippi governor signs state forests agreement

Elections and voting

The governor signed an agreement focused on strengthening Mississippi’s state forests, with implementation details shaping its practical effect.

The Ballot Mississippi News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · FL

Florida attorney general proposes anti-spam bill

Elections and voting

The proposal would target unwanted calls and text messages in Florida, but it must go through the legislative process before becoming law.

The Ballot Florida News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs SB 1274 recognizing industrial cities

Elections and voting

The new California law recognizes the state’s industrial cities and is not directly connected to an election or candidate race.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · SC

South Carolina reviews AI’s growing role in campaigns

Elections and voting

A new Senate committee may examine campaign uses of artificial intelligence after earlier election-content bills stalled.

The Ballot South Carolina News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · SD

Advance voting opens Friday for South Dakota election

Elections and voting

Registered South Dakota voters can cast ballots in person or by mail ahead of the Nov. 3 general election.

The Ballot South Dakota News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · MO

Missouri governor limits use of license plate reader data

Elections and voting

A signed order restricts how data from Automated License Plate Readers may be used in Missouri.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · DE

Delaware governor signs HB 381 on data breach rules

Elections and voting

HB 381 tightens Delaware’s data breach rules and limits safe harbors associated with HIPAA and GLBA.

The Ballot Delaware DeskSep 18, 2026

News · OK

Congress clears Miami Tribe to pursue homeland claim

Elections and voting

The measure allows the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma to litigate its long-running claim involving 2.6 million acres of its homelands.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskSep 18, 2026

News · VA

House passes Kiggans bill honoring WWII veteran Shames

Elections and voting

The measure would name a Virginia Beach post office for Col. Edward D. Shames, a World War II veteran.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 18, 2026

News · AK

House passes Begich bill on Alaska Native handicrafts

Elections and voting

The measure, the 14th Begich-sponsored bill to pass the House, would clarify protections for traditional Alaska Native handicrafts.

The Ballot Alaska News DeskSep 18, 2026