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.

2,369 stories · page 10 of 79

News · NY

New York Attorney General Sues Evolutions Festival

Elections and voting

The state’s lawsuit centers on ticket refunds and vendor fees that Evolutions Festival allegedly failed to return.

The Ballot New York News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · FL

Florida governor signs warrant in prison cellmate killing

Public safety

The governor signed a death warrant for a man who killed his cellmate while confined in a Florida state prison.

The Ballot Florida News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MD

Scott seeks protective order in Baltimore records dispute

Elections and voting

Baltimore Mayor Scott is seeking to restrict the inspector general’s access to some records through a protective order.

The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas attorney general sues 29 over mailed abortion pills

Health care

The lawsuit brings 29 defendants into a court dispute involving abortion pills sent through the mail.

The Ballot Arkansas News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MS

Mississippi Democrats weigh a new Senate push

Elections and voting

A young district attorney is urging Democratic officials and donors to compete for voters despite the party’s long Senate drought.

The Ballot Mississippi Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

Candidate profile · AK

Candidate profile: Bryce Edgmon

Elections and voting

Independent incumbent Bryce Edgmon is running unopposed for Alaska House District 37 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Alaska DeskOct 2, 2026

Candidate profile · WV

Candidate profile: Anitra Hamilton

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Anitra Hamilton is running in West Virginia House District 81 in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot West Virginia Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

Race preview · WA

Who is running for U.S. Senate in Washington in 2026?

Elections and voting

Delbert Eugene MR Brisco and Gavin Solomon are running in Washington’s contested 2026 U.S. Senate election.

The Ballot Washington DeskOct 2, 2026

Candidate profile · UT

Candidate profile: Michael Farrell in Utah’s 1st District

Elections and voting

Michael Farrell is a Democrat running in Utah’s contested 1st Congressional District election on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Utah Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

Candidate profile · RI

Candidate profile: Dan McKee for Rhode Island governor

Elections and voting

Democratic incumbent Dan McKee is running for governor in Rhode Island’s Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Rhode Island Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · LA

New Orleans asks U.S. Supreme Court to review clerk case

Elections and voting

The city is challenging a Louisiana ruling that upheld the elimination of an elected criminal court clerk’s office after an election.

The Ballot Louisiana Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · RI

Smiley’s conduct draws notice after loss to Morales

Elections and voting

The Boston Globe has drawn attention to Mayor Brett Smiley’s behavior following a loss to David Morales.

The Ballot Rhode Island News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MO

Kansas City man dies after July 4 shooting

Public safety

A man shot July 4 in Kansas City, Missouri, died this week, and his death has been classified as a homicide.

The Ballot Missouri DeskOct 2, 2026

News · CA

California legalizes plug-in balcony solar systems

Housing

A new state law will let residents install small solar systems without utility approval, subject to safety and certification rules.

The Ballot California News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OK

Lizzy’s Law proposal targets supervised visitation safety

Foreign policy

An Oklahoma senator has proposed Lizzy’s Law, a measure intended to improve safety during supervised visitation.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · AL

Alabama data center law starts Oct. 1

Elections and voting

Filed contracts and a changing commission review process will shape what the new law means for Alabama electricity customers.

The Ballot Alabama Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · UT

Utah senator proposes data center transparency bills

Foreign policy

The proposals would put data center transparency before Utah lawmakers, with their effect depending on the legislative process.

The Ballot Utah News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · DC

Trump orders federal mosquito-control effort in D.C.

Elections and voting

An executive order directs several federal agencies to coordinate a mosquito-control effort in Washington, D.C.

The Ballot District of Columbia News DeskOct 2, 2026

Race preview · NY

Who is running for New York’s 22nd House District

Elections and voting

Republicans David Hollenbeck, John Lemondes and Kailee Buller are running in the contested NY-22 race on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot New York DeskOct 2, 2026

News · AR

Three states challenge abortion-pill shield laws

Health care

The attorneys general of Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama announced a multistate lawsuit involving laws tied to mailed abortion pills.

The Ballot Arkansas DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OR

Grand jury flags major problems at Oregon State Hospital

Health care

Court demands, too few beds and leadership instability are severely impairing Oregon State Hospital, a grand jury found.

The Ballot Oregon News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OK

Oklahoma City approves roadwork tied to first Buc-ee’s

Elections and voting

The city approved roadwork connected to Oklahoma’s first Buc-ee’s while concerns about outward development remained unresolved.

The Ballot Oklahoma Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OR

Signed Oregon law improves workers’ compensation benefits

Elections and voting

Oregon has signed legislation improving workers’ compensation benefits, with implementation details now becoming the next focus.

The Ballot Oregon DeskOct 2, 2026

News · OK

Oklahoma courts act as health insurance costs rise

Health care

A Winter Storm Uri gas case is headed to trial, the state high court has ruled on a birth certificate law, and insurance pressures are growing.

The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · LA

States challenge abortion-pill shield laws at Supreme Court

Health care

Louisiana, Alabama and Arkansas say laws in New York, California and Massachusetts obstruct investigations into mailed abortion pills.

The Ballot Louisiana News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · NM

New Mexico lawmaker announces AI regulation bill

Elections and voting

A New Mexico lawmaker has announced legislation aimed at regulating artificial intelligence in the state.

The Ballot New Mexico News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · AZ

What to watch in Arizona’s Proposition 144 debate

Elections and voting

Arizona voters will decide whether to require identification for mail-in ballots and make other changes to election rules.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

Candidate profile · WY

Candidate profile: Rob Geringer in Wyoming House District 42

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Rob Geringer is running in the uncontested 2026 general election for Wyoming House District 42.

The Ballot Wyoming DeskOct 2, 2026

Race preview · VT

Wayne Laroche and Lisa Hango run in Franklin-5

Elections and voting

Republican incumbents Wayne Laroche and Lisa Hango are the listed candidates in Vermont’s contested Franklin-5 State House race.

The Ballot Vermont DeskOct 2, 2026

Race preview · SD

Two Republican incumbents run in House District 13

Elections and voting

Jack Kolbeck and John Hughes, both Republican incumbents, are candidates in the contested District 13 House race.

The Ballot South Dakota News DeskOct 2, 2026