News · US
Scandals could matter more in close midterm contests
Elections and votingHigh-profile scandals may shape several midterm races where a small change in support could affect the result.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
Elections and voting coverage
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News · US
AI campaign deepfakes begin drawing legal threats
Elections and votingLegal threats over AI-generated campaign media are raising questions about responsibility, remedies and how quickly disputes can be resolved.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro end campaigns before first round
Elections and votingLula and Flavio Bolsonaro are concluding their campaigns as Brazil prepares for a first-round vote.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Local election campaigning intensifies across Taiwan
Elections and votingLocal campaigns are drawing increased attention across Taiwan without centering on a single named contest or candidate.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Trump’s red-state travel puts GOP midterm risks in focus
Elections and votingDavid Brooks and Kimberly Atkins Stohr discussed Trump’s campaign travel, Republican midterm vulnerabilities and the administration’s AI strategy.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
White House cites standards in defending outlet bans
Elections and votingJustice Department lawyers say CNN, MS NOW and Politico failed to meet the president’s minimum standards of professionalism.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Pleasanton voters to choose mayor and two council seats
Elections and votingMayor Jack Balch faces Julie Testa as District 1 and District 3 voters choose replacements for departing councilmembers.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Hemp THC industry fights looming federal ban
Elections and votingCongress voted to close a federal loophole that helped create a billion market for impairing products made from hemp.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Poll details do not settle Democratic path to Congress
Elections and votingNo named polling results or seat estimates establish whether Democrats can win control of Congress in the election.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Wallace and Meuser compete for Pennsylvania’s 9th District
Elections and votingDemocrat Rachel Wallace is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser in the Nov. 3 election for a two-year House term.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Lebanon-related presidential determinations revoked
Elections and votingThe Executive Office of the President published a one-page determination concerning earlier presidential determinations related to Lebanon.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
No winner yet in the 2026 House and Senate elections
Elections and votingThe 2026 midterms have no established winner, and control of the House and Senate remains unsettled.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
2026 preview: 18th Legislative District
Elections and votingThe 18th Legislative District is identified for 2026, but no specific contest or candidate field has been established.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ examines the reach of Elon Musk’s power
Elections and votingGibney discusses a documentary tracing Elon Musk’s influence across government, artificial intelligence, space, transportation and robotics.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Republican Senate group shifts ad spending to Kansas
Elections and votingThe Senate Leadership Fund ended future North Carolina ads, started a Kansas effort and kept its Georgia spending in place.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Congress changes cash payments with Common Cents Act
Elections and votingThe bipartisan congressional measure changes cash-payment policy as part of an effort to reduce government waste.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
US, Australia close Brazil diplomatic services before vote
Elections and votingBoth governments cited security concerns for closures announced Friday, two days before Brazilians were scheduled to vote.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Congressional control turns on a group of midterm races
Elections and votingA national map highlights the congressional contests whose combined results will determine control of Congress.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
House Republicans set four-part message for final midterm push
Elections and votingA leadership memo tells House Republicans to emphasize the border, government spending, the economy and public safety before the November midterms.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Senate’s final week before midterms, captured in photos
Elections and votingImages from Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 show senators, a Judiciary Committee hearing and activity around the Capitol.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
National launches campaign bus as parties hold events
Elections and votingChristopher Luxon is scheduled to speak in Auckland at 11.30am before taking questions from the media.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Senate Worked 32 More Weekdays Than House, Tally Finds
Elections and votingThe 32-day difference compares chamber work schedules, not hours worked or legislative results.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Vance says Republicans face an uphill midterm contest
Elections and votingVice President JD Vance used an NBC News interview to set restrained expectations for Republican candidates in November.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
2026 midterms: No House or Senate winner yet
Elections and votingPolls, odds and forecasts can track the campaign, but the 2026 elections will determine control of Congress in 2027.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Brazil vote may reshape Senate more than House
Elections and votingThe election may produce limited change in Brazil’s House while altering the Senate more noticeably.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Hegseth orders October voting day off for all US troops
Elections and votingThe Pentagon policy gives every U.S. service member one day off in October to vote and will return in even-numbered election years.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Brit Hume says Republicans lack midterm momentum
Elections and votingThe Fox News commentator pointed to polling, the country’s mood and political challenges facing the GOP weeks before Election Day.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Federal Register Limits Automated Access to Public Records
Elections and votingAn access screen directs automated users to government APIs but announces no federal pest-control policy.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Redrawn districts shape GOP path to a House majority
Elections and votingTrump’s 2024 margins in newly drawn districts are central to Republican efforts to gain Democratic-held House seats.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Gen Z candidates struggle to gain ground in Congress
Elections and votingMore than 100 Gen Z candidates began congressional campaigns this cycle, but few have turned those bids into success.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026