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 27 of 58

News · CA

Newsom orders review of tougher California AI safeguards

Economy and jobs

The California review will consider stronger AI safety rules, including mechanisms that could halt an AI system’s operation.

The Ballot California DeskSep 22, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs California order on AI model kill switches

Economy and jobs

The executive order calls for a way to stop AI models from operating, making shutdown capability a focus of California policy.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 22, 2026

News · KS

Senate battleground widens to Kansas and Nebraska

Economy and jobs

Senators in both parties now view Kansas, Nebraska and New Hampshire as part of an expanded fight for Senate control.

The Ballot Kansas Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · ID

Carl Bjerke seeks another term in Idaho Senate District 5

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Carl Bjerke is running unopposed in Idaho Senate District 5 in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Idaho News DeskSep 21, 2026

News · MI

Huizenga announces housing funds for Southwest Michigan

Housing

Bill Huizenga announced federal housing funding for communities in Southwest Michigan, with no election or political race directly connected.

The Ballot Michigan Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

News · AR

Gov. Sanders announces new member of her family

Elections and voting

Arkansas Gov. Sanders shared a personal family development that has no direct connection to a race or election.

The Ballot Arkansas DeskSep 21, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs legislation focused on EVs and energy

Energy and environment

The legislation is intended to speed California’s EV transition, broaden consumer choice and strengthen energy independence.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · IA

Candidate profile: Dave Dawson in Iowa’s 4th District

Elections and voting

Democrat Dave Dawson is among 12 candidates in Iowa’s contested 4th District U.S. House race in 2026.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 21, 2026

Race preview · DE

Sean Lynn runs unopposed in Delaware House District 31

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Sean Lynn is the only candidate in the District 31 race ahead of Delaware’s Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Delaware News DeskSep 21, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs law naming Sept. 25 Dolly Parton Day

Elections and voting

California will recognize the late country star with a commemorative day established in state law.

The Ballot California DeskSep 21, 2026

News · CT

High court ruling clears path for expanded voting in Connecticut

Elections and voting

The decision follows voters’ 2024 approval of broader absentee voting beyond the state’s existing excuse-based system.

The Ballot Connecticut News DeskSep 21, 2026

News · AR

Searcy City Attorney Will Moore Announces Arkansas Senate Bid

Elections and voting

Will Moore, Searcy’s city attorney, has announced plans to seek a seat in the Arkansas Senate.

The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

News · MO

Kehoe names members to Missouri child welfare task force

Elections and voting

Gov. Mike Kehoe has made appointments to a state task force addressing child welfare in Missouri.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · CA

Candidate profile: Saikat Chakrabarti in California’s 11th

Elections and voting

Saikat Chakrabarti is one of four candidates listed in California’s 11th Congressional District race for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · AR

Matt Brown runs unopposed for Arkansas House District 55

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Matt Brown is unopposed in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election for Arkansas House District 55.

The Ballot Arkansas News DeskSep 21, 2026

Race preview · AL

Who is running in Alabama’s 4th District House race

Elections and voting

Five candidates are running for Alabama’s 4th District seat in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Alabama DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · AK

Candidate profile: Jeremy Bynum in Alaska House District 1

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Jeremy Bynum is running in the uncontested 2026 general election for Alaska House District 1.

The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · WV

Dean Jeffries: Candidate for West Virginia House District 61

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Dean Jeffries is running in the uncontested 2026 general election for West Virginia House District 61.

The Ballot West Virginia DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · VA

Candidate profile: Nathan Headrick in Virginia’s 11th District

Elections and voting

Republican Nathan Headrick is among eight candidates listed for Virginia’s 11th District general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · SC

Candidate profile: Kendal Ludden in South Carolina’s 1st

Elections and voting

Republican Kendal Ludden is among 23 candidates in the contested 2026 election for South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District.

The Ballot South Carolina DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · RI

Candidate profile: Jennifer Stewart in House District 59

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Jennifer Stewart is running in Rhode Island House District 59 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Rhode Island News DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · OH

Candidate profile: Daniel Burket in Ohio’s 5th District

Elections and voting

Democrat Daniel Burket is one of eight candidates in Ohio’s contested 5th District U.S. House race in 2026.

The Ballot Ohio News DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · WY

Justin Fornstrom: Wyoming House District 10 candidate

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Justin Fornstrom is running in the 2026 general election for Wyoming House District 10.

The Ballot Wyoming DeskSep 21, 2026

Race preview · VT

Two incumbents run in Chittenden-19 House race

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbents Wendy Critchlow and Sarita Austin are running in the contested Chittenden-19 general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Vermont Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

Race preview · SD

South Dakota House District 31 race: Odenbach, Fitzgerald run

Elections and voting

Republican incumbents Scott Odenbach and Mary Fitzgerald are the candidates in the contested District 31 House race.

The Ballot South Dakota DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · HI

Candidate profile: Daisy Hartsfield

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Daisy Hartsfield is running in Hawaii State House District 36 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Hawaii DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · PR

Candidate profile: Tatiana Pérez Ramírez

Elections and voting

Pérez Ramírez is an incumbent Partido Nuevo Progresista candidate in Puerto Rico’s contested 2026 at-large State House race.

The Ballot Puerto Rico News DeskSep 21, 2026

Race preview · ND

North Dakota House District 27 race preview

Elections and voting

Republican incumbents T.J. Brown and Greg Stemen are running in the contested District 27 State House election.

The Ballot North Dakota Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · NM

Candidate profile: Elaine Sena Cortez

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Elaine Sena Cortez is running in New Mexico House District 62 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot New Mexico DeskSep 21, 2026

Candidate profile · NJ

Candidate profile: Tom Malinowski in New Jersey’s 11th

Elections and voting

Malinowski is among 18 candidates listed in the contested 2026 general election for New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District.

The Ballot New Jersey News DeskSep 21, 2026