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.

1,613 stories · page 45 of 54

News · VA

West Virginia to vote on citizen-only voting amendment

Elections and voting

West Virginia voters will decide in November whether to add a citizen-only voting provision to the state constitution.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · OH

Ohio senator seeks limits on international college athletes

Foreign policy

The proposal would restrict international student-athletes’ participation in college sports, but it would not change current rules unless enacted.

The Ballot Ohio DeskSep 15, 2026

News · OH

Ohio governor signs first responder protection bill

Elections and voting

The governor approved an Ohio bill intended to strengthen first responders’ work and protections.

The Ballot Ohio Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MD

Maryland agencies asked to model 10% budget cuts

Economy and jobs

State budget officials want agencies to plan for tighter spending and show how a 10% reduction could affect their budgets.

The Ballot Maryland News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · IA

Distribution of Iowa Meta Settlement Funds Announced

Elections and voting

An announcement addresses the distribution of Iowa funds from a settlement involving Meta, with no election or candidate directly connected.

The Ballot Iowa Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · TX

Parrish Classic awards four UNT Dallas scholarships

Elections and voting

Students from Duncanville and DeSoto received four UNT Dallas scholarships through the football event.

The Ballot Texas News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · HI

Supreme Court blocks Postal Service mail-ballot limits

Elections and voting

The justices would not allow the Postal Service to impose a disputed restriction on ballots sent through the mail.

The Ballot Hawaii Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MD

Supreme Court blocks Postal Service mail-ballot limits

Elections and voting

The Supreme Court refused to let the Postal Service restrict mail ballots, denying Trump the result he sought.

The Ballot Maryland DeskSep 15, 2026

News · AZ

Hobbs signs 264 Arizona bills after record measure volume

Public safety

Gov. Katie Hobbs signed 264 bills into law after a record 2,100 measures were presented in Arizona.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · AR

Arkansas Sen. Jonathan Dismang resigns for cooperative job

Health care

The longtime Republican lawmaker left the Senate to become vice president of external affairs for Arkansas Electric Cooperatives.

The Ballot Arkansas News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MN

Ellison joins multistate suit to block proposed rule

Immigration

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison has joined a coalition of states challenging a proposed rule described as anti-immigrant.

The Ballot Minnesota Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MI

Environmental group sues Michigan over Copperwood funding

Elections and voting

The legal challenge concerns in Michigan funding for the Copperwood Mine project.

The Ballot Michigan DeskSep 15, 2026

News · US

Trump EPA moves to repeal Biden power plant carbon rules

Energy and environment

The agency says removing current and remaining greenhouse gas standards could cut power plant compliance costs by hundreds of billions of dollars.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · US

Patel defends travel and FBI BMW purchases before hearing

Public safety

FBI Director Kash Patel defended his personal travel and the purchase of armored luxury vehicles before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · VA

Virginia law lets legislator-lawyers delay court cases

Elections and voting

The law requires many court proceedings to be postponed when they conflict with General Assembly sessions or legislative meetings.

The Ballot Virginia DeskSep 15, 2026

News · TX

Conroe funds 51 Flock cameras as Texas governments pull back

Public safety

Conroe continues paying for 51 cameras as Dallas plans a major reduction and 23 Texas governments reconsider Flock systems.

The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · IA

Des Moines council approves $11.5 million budget package

Economy and jobs

The package cuts staff and programs while raising fee revenue as the city prepares for limits on property tax growth.

The Ballot Iowa DeskSep 15, 2026

News · VA

NextEra, Dominion tie Richmond tower plan to merger approval

Elections and voting

The companies propose spending to on a Richmond tower if their merger receives approval.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · MD

Maryland appeals court denies Baltimore’s bid for pause

Elections and voting

The court declined to halt a lawsuit involving Baltimore’s inspector general while legal proceedings continue.

The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NE

Nebraska high court upholds medical cannabis vote

Elections and voting

The Nebraska Supreme Court’s ruling keeps the voter-approved medical cannabis policy in effect.

The Ballot Nebraska Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · AK

Alaska legalizes safe haven baby boxes

Health care

Gov. Mike Dunleavy signed a law allowing newborns up to 21 days old to be surrendered through approved baby boxes.

The Ballot Alaska DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NE

Nebraska senator seeks earlier votes on legislative leaders

Elections and voting

The proposal would move votes for speaker and committee chairs to before the Nebraska Legislature’s session begins.

The Ballot Nebraska News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · OH

Ohio school report cards released; CCS says scores rose

Education

Ohio released its school report cards today, and CCS characterized its latest results as an improvement.

The Ballot Ohio DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NE

Nebraska Supreme Court leaves medical cannabis laws intact

Elections and voting

The state Supreme Court rejected a legal effort to overturn Nebraska’s medical cannabis laws, leaving the measures in place.

The Ballot Nebraska DeskSep 15, 2026

News · CO

Colorado mail voting unchanged after Supreme Court ruling

Elections and voting

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on a Trump order does not change Colorado’s existing mail-voting system.

The Ballot Colorado News DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NJ

Federal appeals court rules against New Jersey gun policy

Public safety

The ruling marks a setback for New Jersey’s effort to expose firearm manufacturers to potentially bankrupting financial consequences.

The Ballot New Jersey Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · NE

Sept. 15: GOP votes before session; cannabis rules delayed

Elections and voting

Nebraska Republicans held a pre-session vote on Sept. 15 as a separate delay affected the timetable for cannabis rules.

The Ballot Nebraska Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · AK

Alaska artist designs 2026 election pamphlet covers

Elections and voting

The project also includes “I Voted” sticker designs, but it is not tied to a candidate, campaign or specific election contest.

The Ballot Alaska Policy DeskSep 15, 2026

News · CO

Colorado Eagles arena project advances after zoning ruling

Housing

A ruling that zoning restrictions were unconstitutional allows the Colorado Eagles arena project to move forward.

The Ballot Colorado DeskSep 15, 2026

News · TX

Texas orders Trinidad Police Department to shut down

Public safety

The state ordered the Trinidad Police Department to close after a TCOLE investigation into the local agency.

The Ballot Texas News DeskSep 15, 2026