News · SC
What’s on South Carolina’s 2026 election ballot
Elections and votingSouth Carolina voters will decide three statewide offices and elections for all seven U.S. House districts on Nov. 3.
The Ballot South Carolina News DeskOct 5, 2026
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.
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293 stories · page 1 of 10
News · ND
North Dakota’s 2026 elections: Key races and voting history
Elections and votingVoters will choose a U.S. House member, secretary of state and attorney general in North Dakota’s Nov. 3 election.
The Ballot North Dakota DeskOct 5, 2026
News · NV
Rosen seeks ethics rules for federal private-company stakes
Foreign policyThe Nevada senator’s resolution targets financial benefits for top federal officials and their families when the government trades private-company stakes.
The Ballot Nevada News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · MA
What Massachusetts voters will decide in 2026
Elections and votingThe Nov. 3 election includes contests for U.S. Senate, all nine U.S. House seats and statewide constitutional offices.
The Ballot Massachusetts News DeskOct 5, 2026
News · MO
Kehoe eases fuel and weight rules during Missouri harvest
Elections and votingGov. Kehoe signed an order relaxing fuel and weight rules for Missouri farmers during the harvest period.
The Ballot Missouri News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · MD
Moore announces funding for child poverty initiative
Elections and votingMaryland Gov. Wes Moore announced funding for an initiative aimed at combating child poverty in the state.
The Ballot Maryland DeskOct 4, 2026
News · AL
Alabama data center law starts Oct. 1 amid bill questions
Elections and votingThe law takes effect Oct. 1 as attention turns to data center contracts, commission reviews and public access to the process.
The Ballot Alabama DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California sets fines for robotaxis blocking responders
Economy and jobsNew autonomous-vehicle rules allow fines when robotaxis impede emergency responders in California.
The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California bans electric shock gloves in law enforcement
Public safetyA new California law prohibits law enforcement personnel from using electric shock gloves.
The Ballot California DeskOct 4, 2026
News · OH
Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax pause into law
Economy and jobsOhio’s governor has approved a temporary gas tax pause that will remain in place for 90 days.
The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · AZ
Arizona candidate residency questions remain unresolved
Elections and votingSome Arizona candidates face questions about where they live, while the state’s residency rules remain difficult to enforce.
The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · OH
Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax suspension
Economy and jobsOhio’s governor signed a bill temporarily suspending the state gas tax for 90 days.
The Ballot Ohio News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee orders review after Pike survives execution attempt
Elections and votingThe governor ordered an outside review after death row inmate Christa Pike remained alive following an execution attempt.
The Ballot Tennessee DeskOct 4, 2026
News · MD
Moore announces funding for child poverty initiative
Elections and votingMaryland Gov. Wes Moore announced funding for an initiative intended to address child poverty in the state.
The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California math-testing bill SB 1067 signed into law
Foreign policySB 1067, a California math-testing measure associated with a San Diego state senator, has been signed into law.
The Ballot California Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · AZ
Congress passes bill to make Chiricahua a national park
Elections and votingThe measure would make Chiricahua National Monument Arizona’s fourth national park if it receives final presidential approval.
The Ballot Arizona News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee governor pauses executions, orders outside review
Elections and votingAll Tennessee executions are paused for the rest of the year while a third party conducts a review ordered by the governor.
The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · IA
Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant
Economy and jobsThe new law raises Iowa’s tax incentive ceiling for a steel plant valued at billion, expanding the amount the project may qualify for.
The Ballot Iowa DeskOct 4, 2026
News · IA
Iowa governor signs higher incentive cap for steel plant
Economy and jobsThe new law raises the tax-incentive ceiling connected to a steel plant valued at billion.
The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California Governor Signs Three AI, Workplace Surveillance Bills
Elections and votingThe three measures establish California laws addressing artificial intelligence and monitoring in the workplace.
The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs Rubio measure targeting court abuse
Foreign policyGov. Gavin Newsom signed state Sen. Susan Rubio’s legislation aimed at stopping abusers from using courts against survivors.
The Ballot California DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs VPP, balcony solar bills; vetoes another
Energy and environmentCalifornia’s governor approved bills on virtual power plants and balcony solar but rejected separate community solar legislation.
The Ballot California News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · CA
California limits use of AI in employee dismissals
Elections and votingA new California law restricts how artificial intelligence may be used when employers decide to dismiss workers.
The Ballot California DeskOct 3, 2026
News · VA
West Virginia governor announces state park funding
Elections and votingBlennerhassett Island is among the state parks included in a funding announcement from West Virginia’s governor.
The Ballot Virginia DeskOct 3, 2026
News · NY
New York approves electric lawn equipment rebates
Elections and votingThe state program will offer rebates for electric lawn equipment to landscapers and municipalities.
The Ballot New York Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · OH
Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax pause into law
Economy and jobsThe governor has approved an Ohio gas tax measure that creates a temporary 90-day pause.
The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee senator sues over Jan. 6 phone records
Foreign policyA Tennessee senator has taken a dispute over the seizure of phone records connected to Jan. 6 to court.
The Ballot Tennessee News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · DE
Delaware governor vetoes emergency powers bill
Elections and votingThe governor rejected a state of emergency measure whose proposed rules would not have applied to him.
The Ballot Delaware DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AK
Alaska moves to drop land claims near Statehood Act limit
Energy and environmentThe state is reviewing up to 5.7 million acres of lower-priority claims as it approaches its federal land entitlement.
The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AZ
Chiricahua national park bill reaches Trump’s desk
Economy and jobsCongress approved a bipartisan bill to redesignate Chiricahua National Monument as Arizona’s fourth national park.
The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 3, 2026