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
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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485 stories · page 2 of 17
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
What September’s hiring slowdown says about the economy
Economy and jobsEmployers added 29,000 jobs in September, raising questions about consumer prices, interest rates and economic conditions before the midterms.
The Ballot National (US) News 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
Hegseth creates Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs
Foreign policyThe new office reports directly to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, placing religious affairs within his immediate Pentagon leadership structure.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
G7 agrees to release 100 million barrels of oil
Energy and environmentThe international agreement includes diesel and comes as rising prices put political pressure on President Donald Trump and Republicans.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 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
Trump says Iran war will end soon as 9,000 troops deploy
Foreign policyTwo U.S. naval groups are heading to the Middle East, where American forces could soon total about 20,000.
The Ballot National (US) News 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
Pentagon raises hostile-fire pay after two decades
Foreign policyThe Pentagon increased pay for U.S. troops serving in hostile-fire and imminent-danger conditions, making the first rate change in more than 20 years.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
How Hegseth is seeking to reshape the Pentagon
Foreign policyThe defense secretary is changing military leadership and culture while accelerating work on autonomous weapons and emerging technology.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Pentagon sending 4,000-plus personnel to Middle East
Foreign policyMore than 4,000 Marines and sailors aboard three warships are being sent to the U.S. Central Command theater.
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
Brazil vote opens amid debt and US-China rivalry
ImmigrationBrazil’s closely divided presidential vote carries consequences for debt, immigration and the country’s place between the United States and China.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Trump expected to choose Jay Clayton as AI czar
HousingThe administration is considering giving Clayton the AI role while he continues serving as director of national intelligence.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
FBI arrests man accused of cyberstalking Katie Miller
Public safetyJohn Anthony Proia III faces one federal cyberstalking count over repeated calls, texts and voicemails allegedly sent to Miller and her family.
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
News · US
Federal Register Directs Automated Users to APIs
Elections and votingThe federal publication website is limiting automated access and directing developers to official APIs.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Trump order titled ‘Era of Super Intelligence’ published
Elections and votingExecutive Order 14434, signed by President Donald Trump on Sept. 29, 2026, was published in the Federal Register on Oct. 2.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Demócratas y republicanos compiten por el voto latino
Elections and votingLa economía y el rechazo a la política migratoria de Donald Trump ponen a prueba los avances republicanos entre votantes latinos.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Poll finds most Americans blame Trump for high prices
Economy and jobsAn AP-NORC poll finds President Donald Trump’s economic approval at a new low as most Americans hold him responsible for high prices.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Pentagon opens state contest for new military base
EducationGovernors can pitch sites for a base of up to 25,000 service members, with schools, housing, land and local cooperation among the criteria.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
House forecast shifts narrow Republican pickup opportunities
Economy and jobsForecasters are moving House races away from Republicans, though the party still has opportunities to capture Democratic-held seats.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Senate leaves Washington until after the midterm elections
Elections and votingThe chamber paused regular floor business as voters prepared to decide which party would control the Senate.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 1, 2026
News · US
Senate confirms Keith Sonderling as labor secretary
Elections and votingThe Senate approved Sonderling in a 47-41 party-line vote after he led the Labor Department in an acting capacity for several months.
The Ballot National DeskOct 1, 2026
News · US
Romanian lawmakers reject proposed center-right Cabinet
Elections and votingThe parliamentary defeat blocks the proposed government from taking office and extends Romania’s political crisis.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 1, 2026
News · US
Watch live: Senate examines national security risks from AI
Elections and votingIndustry experts will testify Wednesday about autonomous AI agents and the risks they could pose to federal systems.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 1, 2026