News · CA
Five races highlighted in California’s 2026 elections
Elections and votingCalifornia voters will choose statewide officers and representatives to Congress in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.
The Ballot California DeskSep 28, 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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95 stories · page 2 of 4
News · CA
Newsom signs faith and nonprofit security bills
Elections and votingThe California measures focus on security and safe access for faith-based and nonprofit communities.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 28, 2026
News · CA
Court orders Riverside sheriff to return 650,000 ballots
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court directed the Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 ballots that had been seized.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 28, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs California gun-safety bill package
Public safetyThe new laws address firearm storage, protective orders, state reporting, youth cases, violence prevention and 3D-printed guns.
The Ballot California DeskSep 28, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs six bills protecting LGBTQ Californians
EducationThe package addresses health-data privacy, veterans’ support, youth services, conversion therapy and access to HIV prevention drugs.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 28, 2026
News · CA
Newsom Signs Military Force Authorization Bill
Foreign policySB 1354 sets authorization and accountability requirements for specific military forces coming to California from outside the state.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 28, 2026
News · CA
California court orders return of 650,000 seized ballots
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court directed the Riverside sheriff to return 650,000 ballots that had been seized.
The Ballot California DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs measure to speed California EV charger rollout
Elections and votingThe California legislation is intended to accelerate the deployment of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure across the state.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California Supreme Court rules against Chad Bianco
Elections and votingThe court ruled against Bianco in a legal matter that has no direct connection to a candidate race or election.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California expands species permits for renewable projects
Energy and environmentThe governor signed a law broadening species take authorizations for renewable energy projects in California.
The Ballot California DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs legislation supporting Native Americans
Elections and votingThe governor signed legislation that California describes as supporting Native American communities across the state.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California court says sheriff violated law in ballot seizure
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court found that a sheriff’s seizure of ballots violated state election law.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs Braun’s Law and DUI bill package
Elections and votingGov. Gavin Newsom signed Braun’s Law and other measures intended to strengthen California’s response to DUI offenses.
The Ballot California DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California Supreme Court orders seized ballots returned
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court directed that seized ballots be returned, changing who has custody of the election materials.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs California gun-safety legislation
Public safetyThe governor signed new bills focused on preventing gun violence and strengthening California’s gun-safety policies.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs Braun’s Law and DUI bill package
Elections and votingBraun’s Law is part of a group of signed bills aimed at strengthening California’s response to DUI offenders.
The Ballot California DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
Padilla faults Trump administration’s election security plan
Foreign policyCalifornia Sen. Alex Padilla said federal staffing and funding cuts have weakened election security and enabled false information to spread.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California court rejects Riverside sheriff’s ballot seizure
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court ruled that the Riverside sheriff lacked legal authority to seize 650,000 ballots.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California court orders sheriff to return seized ballots
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court ruled that a sheriff may not continue holding ballots that had been seized.
The Ballot California DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California court orders sheriff to return 650,000 ballots
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court directed Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco to return 650,000 ballots that had been seized.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026
News · CA
California court orders sheriff to return 650,000 ballots
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court directed the Riverside County sheriff to give back 650,000 ballots the office had seized.
The Ballot California DeskSep 26, 2026
News · CA
California court finds sheriff’s ballot seizure unlawful
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court ruled that a Republican sheriff unlawfully took possession of more than 650,000 ballots.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 26, 2026
News · CA
California court orders sheriff to return seized ballots
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court ruled that a sheriff unlawfully seized more than 650,000 ballots and must return them.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
Why California declared an emergency ahead of El Niño
Energy and environmentGov. Gavin Newsom’s order lets California prepare state personnel, equipment and infrastructure for possible winter flooding and landslides.
The Ballot California DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
California court orders 650,000 Prop. 50 ballots returned
Elections and votingThe California Supreme Court ruled that the Riverside sheriff unlawfully seized the ballots and ordered their return.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
California senator seeks tax to deter gas price gouging
Economy and jobsThe proposal would use a tax to discourage price gouging at gasoline pumps, with its impact depending on how lawmakers structure it.
The Ballot California DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
California sheriff ordered to return confiscated ballots
Elections and votingThe return order changes who holds ballots seized during a voter-fraud inquiry but does not establish that fraud occurred.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 25, 2026
News · CA
Orange County Register urges No vote on Proposition 1
HousingThe newspaper argues that taking on more debt would not solve California’s housing shortage.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 24, 2026
News · CA
California voter ID argument centers on election rules
Elections and votingA Los Angeles Times contributor is urging California to adopt an identification law intended to ensure votes count.
The Ballot California DeskSep 24, 2026
News · CA
Why California Declared an El Niño State of Emergency
Energy and environmentGov. Gavin Newsom’s order allows California to prepare resources, personnel and infrastructure for possible winter flooding and landslides.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 24, 2026