News · ID
Idaho expands federal partnership on forest management
Elections and votingGov. Little commented on a broader state-federal effort intended to speed forest management work across Idaho.
The Ballot Idaho Policy 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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353 stories · page 2 of 12
News · IL
Chicago council approves higher vote threshold for new debt
Elections and votingThe measure would require support from three-fifths of the 50-member City Council before Chicago could approve new borrowing.
The Ballot Illinois Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · MS
Mississippi Democrats weigh a new Senate push
Public safetyA young district attorney is urging party leaders and donors to compete despite a Democratic drought dating to 1982.
The Ballot Mississippi DeskOct 3, 2026
News · FL
Senate blocks Moody anti-fraud division bill
Health careSenate Democrats stopped Florida Sen. Ashley Moody’s effort to pass an anti-fraud measure after a corresponding bill cleared the House.
The Ballot Florida News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AZ
Senate backs Ciscomani bill for fourth Arizona national park
Elections and votingThe measure would add a fourth national park in Arizona if it completes the remaining federal process.
The Ballot Arizona DeskOct 3, 2026
News · MN
Minneapolis approves human monitor rule for driverless rides
Elections and votingThe Minneapolis City Council approved an ordinance requiring human oversight of driverless rideshare service in the city.
The Ballot Minnesota DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AZ
Phoenix-based Leslie’s files for Chapter 11
Elections and votingThe pool company is entering Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closing 76 stores.
The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee halts executions after Christa Pike attempt
Health careChrista Pike remained alive after Tennessee administered two doses of pentobarbital, prompting an outside review of the failed execution.
The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · KS
Kansas City Council sends some stadium measures to voters
Elections and votingA council-approved ordinance requires certain stadium measures to receive a public vote.
The Ballot Kansas Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · DC
Trump Orders D.C. Campaign Against Mosquitoes and Ticks
Elections and votingThe order sets 2028 pest-reduction targets and directs agencies to consider sterilization, genetic modification and beneficial bacteria.
The Ballot District of Columbia DeskOct 3, 2026
News · WI
Milwaukee County votes to remove Flock cameras from parks
Elections and votingMilwaukee County approved removing Flock cameras from parks, moving the issue from a policy vote to implementation.
The Ballot Wisconsin News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · MN
Jacob Frey vetoes Minneapolis driverless rideshare measure
Elections and votingThe Minneapolis mayor rejected a city ordinance addressing driverless rideshare service.
The Ballot Minnesota News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · DC
Trump sets 2028 targets for mosquito and tick control
Elections and votingThe order directs federal agencies to cut invasive mosquitoes and ticks in Washington and consider genetic and sterilization tools.
The Ballot District of Columbia Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · WI
Wisconsin DOJ highlights election protections
Elections and votingThe department reminded Wisconsinites that state and federal laws provide separate layers of protection for elections.
The Ballot Wisconsin DeskOct 3, 2026
News · SD
Kristi Noem files for divorce; comedians respond
Elections and votingKristi Noem filed for divorce from Bryon Noem after 34 years of marriage, prompting jokes about the couple’s split.
The Ballot South Dakota Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · PA
Pennsylvania enacts measures to fight human trafficking
Elections and votingMultiple acts aimed at fighting human trafficking have been signed into Pennsylvania law.
The Ballot Pennsylvania DeskOct 3, 2026
News · TN
Tennessee governor orders probe of Piker execution
Elections and votingThe governor called Christa Piker’s botched execution a tragedy and directed the state to investigate what happened.
The Ballot Tennessee News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · OK
Trump urges Oklahoma voters to back Republicans before rally
Elections and votingThe president released a campaign video before an Oct. 1 rally at the Choctaw Event Center in Durant.
The Ballot Oklahoma Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · MN
Frey says he will veto driverless rideshare ordinance
Elections and votingThe Minneapolis City Council approved an ordinance concerning driverless rideshares, but Mayor Jacob Frey says he will veto it.
The Ballot Minnesota DeskOct 3, 2026
News · AL
Senate passes Britt bill on clergy and Social Security
Economy and jobsThe measure would give clergy another opportunity under Social Security but must complete the federal lawmaking process.
The Ballot Alabama News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · OH
Ohio governor signs 90-day gas tax suspension
Economy and jobsThe new state law pauses Ohio’s gas tax for 90 days in an effort to reduce fuel costs.
The Ballot Ohio News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · MO
Missouri senator proposes new bill concerning Flock
Foreign policyThe measure would have to complete Missouri’s legislative process before it could change state law.
The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · NM
What to know about New Mexico’s 2026 elections
Elections and votingVoters will decide a U.S. Senate seat, three U.S. House seats and several statewide offices on Nov. 3, 2026.
The Ballot New Mexico Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · OH
Ohio school cuts Anduril tax bill despite funding need
Economy and jobsThe school approved a tax reduction for Anduril while facing its own need for more money.
The Ballot Ohio DeskOct 3, 2026
News · PA
Pennsylvania House passes bill to end closed primaries
Elections and votingThe measure cleared the state House, but Pennsylvania’s primary election rules have not changed yet.
The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · PA
Pennsylvania House passes bill on unaffiliated primary voting
Elections and votingThe measure would let Pennsylvania voters without a party affiliation participate in primary elections.
The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · MO
Sports event contracts ordered to end in Missouri
Elections and votingPrediction market companies must stop offering sports-related event contracts covered by a Missouri order.
The Ballot Missouri News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · MD
Scott seeks protective order in Baltimore records dispute
Elections and votingBaltimore 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 · MS
Mississippi Democrats weigh a new Senate push
Elections and votingA 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
News · RI
Smiley’s conduct draws notice after loss to Morales
Elections and votingThe 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