News · VA
Virginia early voting starts as mail limits stay blocked
Elections and votingEarly voting is underway in Virginia while Trump’s mail-ballot restrictions remain blocked and unenforceable.
The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 22, 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.
Beat
- All beats
- Campaigns & elections (124)
- Legislation & executive action (119)
- Voting & ballot measures (58)
- Courts & justice (55)
- Budget & taxes (26)
- Education (25)
- Public safety (21)
- Environment & energy (20)
- Health (15)
- Accountability & ethics (12)
- Transportation & infrastructure (12)
- Labor & economy (11)
- Housing (8)
- Immigration (6)
Issue hub
State
- All states
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- National (US)
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Puerto Rico
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
2,414 stories · page 39 of 81
News · VA
Spanberger enacts new Virginia data center rules
Elections and votingVirginia Gov. Spanberger has enacted new state rules governing data centers, shifting attention to implementation and enforcement.
The Ballot Virginia News DeskSep 22, 2026
News · NJ
Trump administration drops appeal in Gateway funding case
Elections and votingThe federal government has ended its appeal of a ruling that blocked infrastructure funding cuts affecting New York and New Jersey.
The Ballot New Jersey Policy DeskSep 22, 2026
News · OR
Hunting, fishing measure will not reach Oregon ballot
Elections and votingOregon voters will not be asked to decide a measure concerning the criminalization of hunting and fishing.
The Ballot Oregon DeskSep 22, 2026
News · CA
California governor signs tribal gaming compact bills
Elections and votingThe signed legislation ratifies expanded gaming agreements between California and tribal governments.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
Regional Election Defeat Puts Merz’s Course Under Pressure
Elections and votingA regional election loss has created a new political test for Merz as he works to keep his broader course on track.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
Do Electoral Incentives Make Congress Harder to Govern?
Elections and votingAn American Enterprise Institute question focuses attention on whether election pressures contribute to Congress’s difficulty governing.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 22, 2026
News · WI
How Wisconsin’s fall vote could affect election rules
Elections and votingFall election results could influence who makes later decisions about how Wisconsin elections are run.
The Ballot Wisconsin DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
What is known about Morocco’s 2026 elections
Elections and votingMorocco is due to hold elections in 2026, with key dates, contests and voting procedures still unspecified.
The Ballot National DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
Far Right Gains in German State Elections, Hitting Merz
Elections and votingA far-right surge in German state elections has delivered a major political setback for Chancellor Merz.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
German chancellor holds firm after state election losses
Elections and votingGermany’s chancellor is maintaining his position after his party was defeated in state elections.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
2026 could bring record congressional turnover
Elections and votingDecision Desk HQ says the 2026 cycle could produce a modern high in the number of new members entering Congress.
The Ballot National DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
Congress Winds Down as November Elections Near
Elections and votingCongressional activity is tapering off as the November election calendar approaches, with no specific race or candidate directly involved.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
CNN, MS NOW and Politico sue over White House access
Elections and votingThe three news organizations say denial of White House access violates the First Amendment.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 22, 2026
News · CA
Newsom orders review of tougher California AI safeguards
Economy and jobsThe California review will consider stronger AI safety rules, including mechanisms that could halt an AI system’s operation.
The Ballot California DeskSep 22, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs California order on AI model kill switches
Economy and jobsThe executive order calls for a way to stop AI models from operating, making shutdown capability a focus of California policy.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 22, 2026
News · US
House passes seven measures before leaving a day early
Elections and votingThe House completed action on seven measures before departing early, but the measures’ titles and provisions are not identified.
The Ballot National DeskSep 21, 2026
News · US
GOP candidates and voters split over Trump’s 2020 claims
Elections and votingSome Republican candidates continue to echo Trump’s baseless 2020 election claims even as some GOP voters say they want to move on.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · KS
Senate battleground widens to Kansas and Nebraska
Economy and jobsSenators in both parties now view Kansas, Nebraska and New Hampshire as part of an expanded fight for Senate control.
The Ballot Kansas Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
Candidate profile · ID
Carl Bjerke seeks another term in Idaho Senate District 5
Elections and votingRepublican incumbent Carl Bjerke is running unopposed in Idaho Senate District 5 in the 2026 general election.
The Ballot Idaho News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · MI
Huizenga announces housing funds for Southwest Michigan
HousingBill Huizenga announced federal housing funding for communities in Southwest Michigan, with no election or political race directly connected.
The Ballot Michigan Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · AR
Gov. Sanders announces new member of her family
Elections and votingArkansas Gov. Sanders shared a personal family development that has no direct connection to a race or election.
The Ballot Arkansas DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs legislation focused on EVs and energy
Energy and environmentThe legislation is intended to speed California’s EV transition, broaden consumer choice and strengthen energy independence.
The Ballot California News DeskSep 21, 2026
Candidate profile · IA
Candidate profile: Dave Dawson in Iowa’s 4th District
Elections and votingDemocrat Dave Dawson is among 12 candidates in Iowa’s contested 4th District U.S. House race in 2026.
The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 21, 2026
Race preview · DE
Sean Lynn runs unopposed in Delaware House District 31
Elections and votingDemocratic incumbent Sean Lynn is the only candidate in the District 31 race ahead of Delaware’s Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The Ballot Delaware News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CA
Newsom signs law naming Sept. 25 Dolly Parton Day
Elections and votingCalifornia will recognize the late country star with a commemorative day established in state law.
The Ballot California DeskSep 21, 2026
News · CT
High court ruling clears path for expanded voting in Connecticut
Elections and votingThe decision follows voters’ 2024 approval of broader absentee voting beyond the state’s existing excuse-based system.
The Ballot Connecticut News DeskSep 21, 2026
News · AR
Searcy City Attorney Will Moore Announces Arkansas Senate Bid
Elections and votingWill Moore, Searcy’s city attorney, has announced plans to seek a seat in the Arkansas Senate.
The Ballot Arkansas Policy DeskSep 21, 2026
News · MO
Kehoe names members to Missouri child welfare task force
Elections and votingGov. Mike Kehoe has made appointments to a state task force addressing child welfare in Missouri.
The Ballot Missouri News DeskSep 21, 2026
Candidate profile · CA
Candidate profile: Saikat Chakrabarti in California’s 11th
Elections and votingSaikat Chakrabarti is one of four candidates listed in California’s 11th Congressional District race for the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 21, 2026