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.

181 stories · page 6 of 7

News · OH

Supreme Court rejects Trump mail-vote screening order

Elections and voting

The justices left in place a lower court ruling against required U.S. Postal Service screening of mail-in ballots.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskSep 16, 2026

News · ID

Supreme Court rejects Trump mail ballot restrictions

Elections and voting

The court rejected Trump’s effort to restrict mail ballots ahead of the midterm elections, leaving election administration unchanged by that effort.

The Ballot Idaho DeskSep 16, 2026

News · UT

Supreme Court rejects Trump mail-ballot restrictions

Elections and voting

The Supreme Court turned aside Trump’s requested mail-ballot restrictions ahead of the midterm elections.

The Ballot Utah News DeskSep 16, 2026

News · VT

Vermont officials welcome block on USPS ballot rules

Elections and voting

The Supreme Court left in place an injunction preventing new Postal Service rules for mail ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election.

The Ballot Vermont Policy DeskSep 16, 2026

News · CO

Supreme Court blocks mail ballot rules for 2026 election

Elections and voting

Colorado can continue sending mail ballots to active registered voters under state law during the 2026 midterm election.

The Ballot Colorado DeskSep 16, 2026

News · UT

Evidence loss prompts another Rubicon suit against Utah AG

Elections and voting

Rubicon has filed another lawsuit against Utah Attorney General Derek Brown’s office over evidence tied to a billion case.

The Ballot Utah DeskSep 16, 2026

News · VT

Vermont secretary of state praises Supreme Court ballot ruling

Elections and voting

Sarah Copeland Hanzas welcomed the court’s decision to block federal requirements for distributing and returning mail-in ballots.

The Ballot Vermont News DeskSep 16, 2026

News · UT

Landscaping company files new suit against Utah AG’s office

Elections and voting

The court action creates a new legal dispute between a private landscaping company and the Utah Attorney General’s Office.

The Ballot Utah Policy DeskSep 16, 2026

News · NJ

Supreme Court clears path for New Jersey mail voting

Elections and voting

The justices kept federal restrictions from taking effect as New Jersey prepares to send mail-in ballots for the November election.

The Ballot New Jersey DeskSep 16, 2026

News · IN

Indiana Supreme Court rules Deery won primary by 3 votes

Elections and voting

The court ruled that state Sen. Spencer Deery won the Republican primary by a margin of three votes.

The Ballot Indiana Policy DeskSep 16, 2026

News · CA

Supreme Court blocks Trump move targeting mail voting

Elections and voting

Newsom called the ruling a California-backed victory after the Supreme Court stopped a Trump action aimed at vote-by-mail.

The Ballot California DeskSep 15, 2026

News · AZ

Arizona Clean Elections Faces Lawsuit Over Campaign Claims

Elections and voting

A lawsuit alleges Arizona Clean Elections pressured candidates to suspend their campaigns; the claim has not been decided by a court.

The Ballot Arizona News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MA

Massachusetts AG seeks collection ban against debt buyer

Elections and voting

A proposed consent judgment would permanently prevent a debt buyer from conducting collection activity if the court enters the order.

The Ballot Massachusetts DeskSep 15, 2026

News · IA

Distribution of Iowa Meta Settlement Funds Announced

Elections and voting

An announcement addresses the distribution of Iowa funds from a settlement involving Meta, with no election or candidate directly connected.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · HI

Supreme Court blocks Postal Service mail-ballot limits

Elections and voting

The justices would not allow the Postal Service to impose a disputed restriction on ballots sent through the mail.

The Ballot Hawaii Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MD

Supreme Court blocks Postal Service mail-ballot limits

Elections and voting

The Supreme Court refused to let the Postal Service restrict mail ballots, denying Trump the result he sought.

The Ballot Maryland DeskSep 15, 2026

News · VA

Virginia law lets legislator-lawyers delay court cases

Elections and voting

The law requires many court proceedings to be postponed when they conflict with General Assembly sessions or legislative meetings.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NE

Nebraska high court upholds medical cannabis vote

Elections and voting

The Nebraska Supreme Court’s ruling keeps the voter-approved medical cannabis policy in effect.

The Ballot Nebraska Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NE

Nebraska Supreme Court leaves medical cannabis laws intact

Elections and voting

The state Supreme Court rejected a legal effort to overturn Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws, leaving the measures in place.

The Ballot Nebraska DeskSep 15, 2026

News · CO

Colorado mail voting unchanged after Supreme Court ruling

Elections and voting

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on a Trump order does not change Colorado’s existing mail-voting system.

The Ballot Colorado News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NJ

Federal appeals court rules against New Jersey gun policy

Public safety

The ruling marks a setback for New Jersey’s effort to expose firearm manufacturers to potentially bankrupting financial consequences.

The Ballot New Jersey Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NC

Federal judge blocks Trump mail-ballot plan amid NC rally

Elections and voting

The ruling creates another legal barrier to Trump’s proposed mail-in ballot measures as North Carolina voting-access advocates rally.

The Ballot North Carolina Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · SD

Johnson, Jackley split on timing of mail ballot rules

Elections and voting

South Dakota’s election chief warns against immediate implementation, while the attorney general’s office supports lifting a court block.

The Ballot South Dakota DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MN

Minnesota Tests State Power Over Prediction Markets

Education

A first-in-the-nation ban and a federal lawsuit have made Minnesota central to the dispute over who regulates prediction markets.

The Ballot Minnesota DeskSep 14, 2026

News · MI

Federal court rejects Trump order on Michigan coal plant

Elections and voting

A federal court ruled against a Trump order intended to keep a Michigan coal plant operating.

The Ballot Michigan 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 · 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 · 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 · 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