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.

2,388 stories · page 25 of 80

News · CA

Newsom signs Braun’s Law and DUI bill package

Elections and voting

Gov. 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 · VA

West Virginia launches Dolly Days Read-a-Thon for children

Elections and voting

West Virginia has announced Dolly Days, a read-a-thon centered on children and reading.

The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MN

What Minnesota voters will decide in the 2026 election

Elections and voting

Minnesota’s Nov. 3 ballot includes contests for U.S. Senate, all eight U.S. House seats and four statewide offices.

The Ballot Minnesota Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · US

Former Kennedy Center staff dispute repair timeline

Economy and jobs

A letter to Congress says Kennedy Center leaders stopped planned waterproofing work months before leaks were cited in the venue’s closure.

The Ballot National DeskSep 27, 2026

News · IA

Iowa 2026 page pairs races with presidential history

Elections and voting

The Iowa election page combines a broad look at 2026 races with historical presidential results but identifies no specific contest or candidate.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · OR

Oregon governor orders AI safety rules for state government

Elections and voting

Oregon’s governor has directed state government to follow new safety standards for artificial intelligence.

The Ballot Oregon News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

California Supreme Court orders seized ballots returned

Elections and voting

The 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 · WI

On Sept. 25, 1961, Nelson signs Wisconsin seatbelt bill

Elections and voting

Gov. Gaylord Nelson signed a bill requiring all 1962 cars produced in Wisconsin to come equipped with seatbelts.

The Ballot Wisconsin DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs California gun-safety legislation

Public safety

The governor signed new bills focused on preventing gun violence and strengthening California’s gun-safety policies.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VT

Vermont governor candidates differ on AI, amendment

Housing

The candidates expressed differing views on artificial intelligence and a proposed constitutional amendment.

The Ballot Vermont DeskSep 27, 2026

News · US

2026 Campaign Signs Appear on Rover Boulevard

Elections and voting

Campaign signs are emerging along Rover Boulevard in White Rock as political activity for the 2026 season becomes more visible.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · US

Colleges face a duty to support military students

Education

Record U.S. military recruitment is renewing attention on how colleges serve military members and veterans seeking educational opportunity.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · US

Palm Beach County pauses large data center applications

Housing

Commissioners approved a one-year moratorium while the county reviews environmental, noise and utility concerns tied to large facilities.

The Ballot National DeskSep 27, 2026

News · PA

Fetterman defends party identity, avoids 51-seat scenario

Foreign policy

The Pennsylvania senator said he remains a Democrat but declined to discuss how he would handle ties under a possible 51-seat majority.

The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · NY

House Democrats plan broad Trump oversight

Elections and voting

Democrats are preparing wide-ranging House oversight of the Trump administration, with impeachment remaining one possible course.

The Ballot New York DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MO

New Missouri maps could reshape congressional districts

Elections and voting

Boundary changes could place some Missouri voters in different U.S. House districts for future elections.

The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs Braun’s Law and DUI bill package

Elections and voting

Braun’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 · OR

Oregon governor orders additional AI regulation

Elections and voting

The governor has directed Oregon to increase oversight of artificial intelligence, with the scope and implementation still to be defined.

The Ballot Oregon DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WI

Baldwin bill would restrict federal agents near polls

Foreign policy

The Wisconsin senator’s bill would keep ICE, CBP and National Guard personnel away from polling places and routes used by voters.

The Ballot Wisconsin Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · TX

Houston City Council passes campaign finance ordinance

Elections and voting

The council approved a municipal campaign finance measure that is not tied to a specific election, race or candidate.

The Ballot Texas DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MA

Massachusetts newborn home visits draw radio scrutiny

Elections and voting

KIRO hosts questioned a Massachusetts home-visit initiative involving newborns, focusing attention on consent, privacy and oversight.

The Ballot Massachusetts DeskSep 27, 2026

News · US

Ocasio-Cortez shifts focus from 2028 talk to 2026

Elections and voting

Ocasio-Cortez played down speculation about 2028 and directed attention toward the elections scheduled for 2026.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MA

Healey announces free MBTA pilot for qualifying seniors

Elections and voting

The Massachusetts pilot would provide free MBTA service to seniors who meet its eligibility requirements.

The Ballot Massachusetts Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas judge rejects prison board control settlement

Public safety

The ruling keeps an injunction blocking two 2023 laws that moved oversight of Arkansas’ corrections secretary from the prison board to the governor.

The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · FL

Florida congressman seeks warrant rule for Flock data

Elections and voting

The proposal would require a warrant for access to data from Flock cameras, adding judicial review before covered searches could occur.

The Ballot Florida News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · DE

Delaware justices hear Fenwick Island entity-voting appeal

Elections and voting

The Delaware Supreme Court heard an appeal over whether legal entities may vote in Fenwick Island municipal elections.

The Ballot Delaware News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · US

Trump rejects Iran proposal as GOP looks to Congress

Foreign policy

Trump declined Iran’s seven-day proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and pause military operations as Republicans focused on retaining Congress.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas judge keeps prison firing-power laws blocked

Public safety

A Pulaski County judge refused to lift an injunction against two laws that gave the governor authority to fire top corrections officials.

The Ballot Arkansas News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VA

What Virginia voters will decide in the 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Virginia’s Nov. 3 ballot includes a U.S. Senate race and elections in all 11 U.S. House districts.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WI

Data center votes draw scrutiny in Wisconsin campaigns

Economy and jobs

Incumbents from both parties are facing questions about earlier legislation on data center tax incentives and regulations.

The Ballot Wisconsin News DeskSep 27, 2026