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.

365 stories · page 4 of 13

News · AZ

Arizona Lawmaker Seeks Federal Help for English Services

Elections and voting

An Arizona lawmaker has proposed increasing federal support for services that help people gain English fluency.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · VA

Virginia lawmakers warn higher marijuana fines deepen disparities

Elections and voting

Lawmakers raised concerns that larger fines for public marijuana use would worsen unequal outcomes among racial groups.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania senator proposes rules for hemp THC products

Foreign policy

The bill would set age limits and testing requirements for hemp products containing THC in Pennsylvania.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

California governor signs bill framed as contrast with Trump

Elections and voting

The governor approved a state measure described as a counterpoint to Trump, turning the proposal into California law.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 29, 2026

News · CA

California governor signs marijuana policy bills

Elections and voting

The new laws address marijuana testing, product tracking and consumers’ access to information.

The Ballot California DeskSep 29, 2026

News · AK

‘Lower 48’ becomes a fault line in Alaska Senate contest

Elections and voting

The phrase is being used to question whether political figures answer to Alaskans or powerful interests outside the state.

The Ballot Alaska News DeskSep 28, 2026

News · CA

California makes Native American Day a paid holiday

Elections and voting

The governor also proclaimed Native American Day and approved legislation formalizing a state apology.

The Ballot California News DeskSep 28, 2026

News · CA

Five races highlighted in California’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

California voters will choose statewide officers and representatives to Congress in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.

The Ballot California DeskSep 28, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs faith and nonprofit security bills

Elections and voting

The California measures focus on security and safe access for faith-based and nonprofit communities.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

News · IN

Indiana governor announces I-69 ORX Section 3 completion

Elections and voting

Indiana’s governor has announced that I-69 ORX Section 3 is complete, marking a specific milestone for the highway project.

The Ballot Indiana News DeskSep 28, 2026

News · OR

Oregon governor directs more state regulation of AI

Elections and voting

The governor has ordered additional oversight of artificial intelligence, a state policy action with no direct link to an election or candidate race.

The Ballot Oregon Policy DeskSep 28, 2026

News · MO

How new Missouri maps could shape congressional elections

Elections and voting

New district boundaries could change which Missouri voters choose each U.S. House representative in future elections.

The Ballot Missouri DeskSep 28, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs California gun-safety bill package

Public safety

The 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

Education

The 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 policy

SB 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 · NE

Troy Dannen named opening keynote for Governor’s Summit

Elections and voting

Husker athletic director Troy Dannen will serve as the new opening keynote for the Governor’s Summit.

The Ballot Nebraska News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · IN

FEMA approves adding counties to Indiana disaster declaration

Elections and voting

Braun said FEMA approved a request to expand an existing major disaster declaration to additional Indiana counties.

The Ballot Indiana DeskSep 27, 2026

News · ME

Portland addiction debate centers on action, not blame

Elections and voting

An opinion piece argues that scrutiny of Portland’s mayor must be paired with concrete policy decisions on addiction.

The Ballot Maine Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs measure to speed California EV charger rollout

Elections and voting

The California legislation is intended to accelerate the deployment of electric-vehicle charging infrastructure across the state.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VA

Spanberger announces child care funding for Southwest Virginia

Elections and voting

The funding is intended to expand child care in Southwest Virginia, though the amount, recipients and schedule have not been announced.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 27, 2026

News · WY

Drake faults Barrasso over response on press freedom

Elections and voting

Drake says Sen. John Barrasso missed a Sunday opportunity to defend the Constitution’s protection of a free press.

The Ballot Wyoming News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · MD

Moore signs order setting Maryland data center rules

Elections and voting

Moore’s executive order establishes new state rules for data centers without a direct connection to a race or election.

The Ballot Maryland DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

California expands species permits for renewable projects

Energy and environment

The governor signed a law broadening species take authorizations for renewable energy projects in California.

The Ballot California DeskSep 27, 2026

News · FL

Florida AG Uthmeier sues contractor over alleged hurricane fraud

Energy and environment

Florida’s attorney general has filed a lawsuit accusing a contractor of fraud tied to hurricane-related work.

The Ballot Florida Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · NH

Key races in New Hampshire’s 2026 election

Elections and voting

Voters will choose a U.S. senator, two U.S. House members and a governor on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot New Hampshire Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · KY

Kentucky’s 2026 election includes Senate and six House races

Elections and voting

Kentucky voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives for all six congressional districts on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Kentucky Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs legislation supporting Native Americans

Elections and voting

The governor signed legislation that California describes as supporting Native American communities across the state.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

News · VT

Welch bill targets taxes on affordable housing grants

Economy and jobs

The Vermont senator’s bill would shield qualifying housing grants and state tax-credit sale income from federal taxation.

The Ballot Vermont News DeskSep 27, 2026

News · PA

Pennsylvania senator outlines hemp cannabinoid rules

Elections and voting

The plan would restrict hemp cannabinoid sales to adults 21 and older while adding testing and registration requirements.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskSep 27, 2026

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