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.

1,738 stories · page 42 of 58

News · NV

Lombardo orders Nevada flags lowered for 9/11

Elections and voting

Gov. Joe Lombardo directed flags to fly at half-staff in Nevada in observance of 9/11.

The Ballot Nevada News DeskSep 14, 2026

News · NE

Nebraska court keeps Respect Nebraska Voters off ballot

Elections and voting

The state Supreme Court ruled that the proposed constitutional amendment violated Nebraska’s single-subject rule.

The Ballot Nebraska DeskSep 14, 2026

News · ME

Maine Democrats criticize Collins over Epstein files vote

Elections and voting

Maine Democrats criticized Collins in Portland, saying a vote by Collins blocked the release of Epstein-related files.

The Ballot Maine Policy DeskSep 14, 2026

Candidate profile · OH

Candidate profile: Jon Husted in Ohio’s 2026 Senate race

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Jon Husted is among 16 candidates in Ohio’s contested U.S. Senate race on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskSep 14, 2026

News · OR

Oregon governor orders pause involving data centers

Elections and voting

The governor announced the state action with an AI-generated image, separating the policy decision from an unusual communications choice.

The Ballot Oregon News DeskSep 14, 2026

News · VA

Trump signs bill honoring Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams

Elections and voting

The measure honors the West Virginia World War II hero and is not directly connected to an election or candidate race.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 14, 2026

News · ID

Idaho election officials raise mail ballot concerns

Elections and voting

Proposed changes to mail-in ballots have prompted concern among Idaho election officials, with the issue centered on election administration.

The Ballot Idaho DeskSep 14, 2026

News · WI

Dispatch audio involving Rep. Tom Tiffany released

Elections and voting

A dispatch recording involving Wisconsin Congressman Tom Tiffany has been released, with no direct connection to an election or candidate race.

The Ballot Wisconsin News DeskSep 14, 2026

News · OH

Ohio voters to decide proposed property tax growth cap

Economy and jobs

A proposed amendment would limit property tax growth in Ohio, but it cannot take effect unless voters approve it.

The Ballot Ohio DeskSep 14, 2026

News · NV

Titus, Lee and Horsford Opposed Bill With 9/11 Funding

Elections and voting

Their votes were against a broader spending bill that included health funding for 9/11 responders.

The Ballot Nevada Policy DeskSep 14, 2026

News · NJ

Federal audit flags utility overbilling in New Jersey

Elections and voting

A federal audit says excessive transmission charges were passed through to New Jersey households.

The Ballot New Jersey DeskSep 14, 2026

News · UT

Utah repeal effort meets resistance over representation

Health care

Opponents challenged a Republican effort to repeal a voter-approved ban on gerrymandering, complicating familiar images of Utah women.

The Ballot Utah Policy DeskSep 14, 2026

Explainer · NM

Voter guide to New Mexico’s 2026 general election

Elections and voting

A plain-language checklist for tracking deadlines, checking registration, reviewing the ballot and making a voting plan.

The Ballot New Mexico News DeskSep 13, 2026

Candidate profile · MD

Candidate profile: Glenn Frederick Ivey

Elections and voting

Glenn Frederick Ivey is one of seven candidates listed in Maryland’s contested 4th Congressional District race.

The Ballot Maryland News DeskSep 13, 2026

News · KS

11 Kansas hospitals receive federal rural health funding

Health care

Federal funding has been awarded to 11 Kansas hospitals for work intended to strengthen rural health care.

The Ballot Kansas News DeskSep 13, 2026

News · CA

California governor signs youth social media risk law

Elections and voting

The new California law is intended to limit social media risks for children younger than 16.

The Ballot California DeskSep 13, 2026

News · MO

Missouri Secretary of State Says GOP House Map Won’t Be Used

Elections and voting

Missouri’s secretary of state says the state will not use the Republican House map, a development not tied to a specific race or candidate.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 13, 2026

News · IN

Indiana justices side with senator in GOP recount case

Foreign policy

The Indiana Supreme Court ruled for a state senator in a Republican primary recount dispute involving a Trump-backed opponent.

The Ballot Indiana Policy DeskSep 13, 2026

News · MT

Zinke announces A River Runs Through It Act

Elections and voting

Zinke announced the introduction of legislation called the A River Runs Through It Act, a development not directly tied to an election.

The Ballot Montana Policy DeskSep 13, 2026

News · TX

Surrogate asks Supreme Court to pause California ruling

Health care

McKenna West is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve her ability to seek continued heart treatment for the baby she carried.

The Ballot Texas News DeskSep 13, 2026

News · CA

Davis Vanguard op-ed urges signing of SB 1414

Elections and voting

The commentary supports California’s SB 1414 redistricting bill and argues that signing it would establish a sound precedent.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 13, 2026

News · MI

Democratic Party challenges Rogers on ‘shop class’ pledge

Elections and voting

The party says Mike Rogers’ voting record conflicts with a pledge on shop classes, but the accusation identifies no specific vote.

The Ballot Michigan News DeskSep 13, 2026

News · IA

Iowa PBS sets debate dates for major Iowa races

Elections and voting

The public broadcaster announced debate dates for Iowa governor, U.S. House and U.S. Senate contests.

The Ballot Iowa News DeskSep 13, 2026

News · FL

Trump proposes a NASA-led United States Space Academy

Elections and voting

Trump’s proposal calls for a national space academy with NASA in the lead, but creating it would require a formal structure and operating plan.

The Ballot Florida News DeskSep 13, 2026

News · FL

Florida AG seeks criminal penalties for chatbot firms

Public safety

The move comes amid scrutiny of ChatGPT questions linked to the suspect in the Florida State University shooting.

The Ballot Florida DeskSep 13, 2026

News · NE

Nebraska court rejects challenge to medical marijuana law

Elections and voting

The Nebraska Supreme Court turned aside another challenge to the medical marijuana law approved by Nebraska voters.

The Ballot Nebraska Policy DeskSep 13, 2026

News · AK

Alaska approves baby boxes in Safe Haven expansion

Elections and voting

Alaska has approved the use of baby boxes through a bill expanding the state’s Safe Haven policy.

The Ballot Alaska DeskSep 13, 2026

News · TX

Texas court blocks Galveston County maps for November

Elections and voting

The Texas Supreme Court ruled that Galveston County’s new district maps cannot be used for the November election.

The Ballot Texas DeskSep 13, 2026

Explainer · DE

Delaware 2026 primary voter guide

Elections and voting

Delaware voters can prepare for the 2026 primary by confirming key dates, registration details, ballot contests and voting instructions.

The Ballot Delaware Policy DeskSep 13, 2026

Explainer · DC

District of Columbia 2026 general election voter guide

Elections and voting

District voters should confirm their registration, ballot, voting method and deadlines before participating in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot District of Columbia Policy DeskSep 13, 2026