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.

35 stories · page 1 of 2

News · VA

Virginia’s 2026 federal races: Senate and 11 House seats

Elections and voting

Virginia voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives for all 11 congressional districts on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskOct 5, 2026

News · VA

West Virginia governor announces state park funding

Elections and voting

Blennerhassett Island is among the state parks included in a funding announcement from West Virginia’s governor.

The Ballot Virginia DeskOct 3, 2026

News · VA

Virginia governor outlines response to high energy costs

Energy and environment

Virginia’s governor has announced plans aimed at addressing high energy costs, putting affordability on the state policy agenda.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · VA

Abortion votes not identified for three Virginia incumbents

Health care

No specific roll-call votes are identified for the incumbents representing Virginia’s 1st, 2nd and 5th Congressional Districts.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · VA

Virginia AG seeks longer review of Dominion-NextEra deal

Elections and voting

The attorney general has asked Virginia’s State Corporation Commission for more time to review the proposed merger.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · VA

West Virginia announces statewide home energy rebate program

Energy and environment

West Virginia has announced a statewide rebate program focused on household energy expenses.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 29, 2026

News · VA

Virginia lawmakers warn higher marijuana fines deepen disparities

Elections and voting

Lawmakers raised concerns that larger fines for public marijuana use would worsen unequal outcomes among racial groups.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · VA

Spanberger announces child care funding for Southwest Virginia

Elections and voting

The funding is intended to expand child care in Southwest Virginia, though the amount, recipients and schedule have not been announced.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VA

West Virginia launches Dolly Days Read-a-Thon for children

Elections and voting

West Virginia has announced Dolly Days, a read-a-thon centered on children and reading.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VA

What Virginia voters will decide in the 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Virginia’s Nov. 3 ballot includes a U.S. Senate race and elections in all 11 U.S. House districts.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VA

Spanberger starts push for tighter data center rules

Energy and environment

The governor signed an order on state secrecy agreements and proposed broader rules on local approvals, environmental standards and energy costs.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 26, 2026

News · VA

Virginia AG seeks more time for Dominion-NextEra review

Elections and voting

The attorney general asked Virginia’s State Corporation Commission to extend its review of the proposed Dominion-NextEra merger.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 26, 2026

News · VA

Virginia joins opposition to proposed Medicaid rule

Health care

Attorney General Jay Jones has aligned Virginia with other states opposing a proposed federal rule involving Medicaid.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 24, 2026

News · VA

Spanberger calls for more state oversight of A.I. data centers

Energy and environment

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger said states should take a greater role in regulating A.I. data centers.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 24, 2026

News · VA

Spanberger Calls for State Rules on Virginia Data Centers

Energy and environment

Gov. Abigail Spanberger says states should take stronger action to reduce pollution from data centers.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 24, 2026

News · VA

Jay Jones joins states opposing federal Medicaid proposal

Health care

Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones has joined other states opposing a proposed federal rule involving Medicaid.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 23, 2026

News · VA

Virginia early voting starts as mail limits stay blocked

Elections and voting

Early voting is underway in Virginia while Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions remain blocked and unenforceable.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 22, 2026

News · VA

Spanberger enacts new Virginia data center rules

Elections and voting

Virginia Gov. Spanberger has enacted new state rules governing data centers, shifting attention to implementation and enforcement.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 22, 2026

News · VA

Virginia early voting starts with ballot limits blocked

Elections and voting

Virginia voters can begin voting early while Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions remain blocked and therefore are not in effect.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 21, 2026

News · VA

Virginia voter guide for the 2026 midterm elections

Elections and voting

Voting begins Sept. 18 for federal contests and three proposed amendments, with Election Day set for Nov. 3.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · VA

Virginia early voting begins with mail rules unchanged

Elections and voting

Virginians can begin voting Friday for the Nov. 3 midterms after the Supreme Court kept proposed Postal Service restrictions on hold.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 20, 2026

News · VA

Virginia approves referendum on congressional map

Elections and voting

AP projects Virginia voters approved a referendum to redraw the state’s congressional map with the goal of favoring Democrats.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 20, 2026

News · VA

Early voting begins for Virginia contests and amendments

Elections and voting

Virginia voters can begin casting ballots in an election featuring a Senate seat, a congressional race and proposed amendments.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 19, 2026

News · VA

Finksburg man charged over four horses in West Virginia

Elections and voting

West Virginia court documents accuse Andrew Norris Hauler, 23, of abandoning four wild horses he had recently adopted from the federal government.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 19, 2026

News · VA

Virginia early voting begins Friday

Health care

Virginians can begin voting early Friday in general and special elections involving three proposed constitutional amendments.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 19, 2026

News · VA

Virginia’s 2026 Midterm Voter Guide: What to Know

Elections and voting

The Virginia Mercury guide concerns the 2026 midterm election but is not directly connected to a specific race, office or candidate.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 19, 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 · 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 · 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 · VA

Virginia’s 2026 midterm ballot: Dates and key votes

Elections and voting

Virginians will elect members of Congress and decide three proposed constitutional amendments on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 18, 2026