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.

2,414 stories · page 51 of 81

News · US

Roll Call examines Trump’s GOP midterm convention

Elections and voting

John T. Bennett recounts traveling with the White House press pool to a two-day Republican gathering in Dallas.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 17, 2026

Candidate profile · FL

Candidate profile: Daniel John Franzese in Florida’s 22nd

Elections and voting

Republican Daniel John Franzese is among 11 candidates in Florida’s contested 22nd Congressional District race.

The Ballot Florida Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

Race preview · DE

Ron Gray is unopposed in Delaware House District 38

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Ron Gray is the only candidate in the District 38 race for Delaware’s Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Delaware Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

Explainer · DC

District of Columbia 2026 general election voter guide

Elections and voting

A plain-language checklist for confirming election dates, registration, ballot choices and voting instructions in the District.

The Ballot District of Columbia DeskSep 17, 2026

Candidate profile · CO

Candidate profile: Jason Clark in Colorado’s 6th District

Elections and voting

Republican Jason Clark is among 10 candidates in Colorado’s 2026 general election for the 6th Congressional District.

The Ballot Colorado News DeskSep 17, 2026

Race preview · CA

Three candidates are running in California’s 14th District

Elections and voting

Suzanne Chenault, Carin Elam and Alisha Lokelani Cordes are running in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot California DeskSep 17, 2026

Candidate profile · AR

Candidate profile: DeAnn Vaught

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent DeAnn Vaught is the only listed candidate for Arkansas House District 87 in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Arkansas DeskSep 17, 2026

Candidate profile · AK

Candidate profile: Mia Costello for Alaska House District 15

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Mia Costello is running without an opponent listed in Alaska House District 15 in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Alaska DeskSep 17, 2026

Candidate profile · WV

Candidate profile: Andy Shamblin in House District 59

Elections and voting

Republican incumbent Andy Shamblin is running for West Virginia House District 59 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot West Virginia Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

Candidate profile · WA

Candidate profile: Devin Poore in Washington’s 4th District

Elections and voting

Independent Devin Poore is running for the U.S. House in Washington’s 4th District in the 2026 general election.

The Ballot Washington News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · MD

Maryland agencies asked to prepare 10% budget-cut scenario

Economy and jobs

State budget officials have directed Maryland agencies to restrain spending and model a possible 10% reduction.

The Ballot Maryland News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · MD

Two companies, supervisor indicted in Baltimore bridge crash

Economy and jobs

The indictments come as a separate billion settlement has been reached with the state of Maryland.

The Ballot Maryland DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

The 12 Senate races at the center of the control fight

Elections and voting

More than a dozen Senate races are competitive, with Republicans defending most of the 12 seats central to the fight for control.

The Ballot National DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

FAA to assess Trump’s proposed arch near busy D.C. runway

Elections and voting

Independent experts have concerns about the 250-foot arch, while the FAA will decide whether its location poses an aviation hazard.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

Seven House Republicans back call to end Iran war

Foreign policy

A symbolic House vote and Vice President Vance’s midterm appeal reveal disagreement among Republicans over the Iran war.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

Epstein committee holds Leon Black in contempt

Elections and voting

Leon Black refused to appear for a deposition, leaving the Justice Department to decide whether to pursue criminal charges.

The Ballot National DeskSep 17, 2026

News · WA

House cancels votes, delays Hegseth impeachment measure

Elections and voting

Republican leaders dropped Thursday’s House votes, pushing an expected impeachment measure against Pete Hegseth past the midterm elections.

The Ballot Washington DeskSep 17, 2026

News · US

Peter Navarro calls Fed rate increase a bad decision

Elections and voting

The White House adviser criticized a unanimous Federal Reserve vote to raise its benchmark interest-rate range.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · CA

Newsom signs phased smog exemption for classic cars

Health care

SB 1392 will phase in smog-check exemptions for qualifying collector vehicles from model years 1976 through 1985.

The Ballot California Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · WI

Supreme Court keeps Wisconsin absentee voting rules in place

Elections and voting

Wisconsin clerks will use existing absentee-ballot procedures after the Supreme Court blocked new federal requirements for the midterms.

The Ballot Wisconsin DeskSep 17, 2026

News · AZ

Lawsuits challenge several Arizona ballot measures

Elections and voting

Challenges target measures on election rules, public-sector unions, transgender students, public funding and school vouchers.

The Ballot Arizona News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · ME

Republicans target Troy Jackson over tax vote

Economy and jobs

The dispute centers on a vote described as cutting taxes for 90% of Mainers, but it is not directly tied to an election.

The Ballot Maine News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · ME

House passes Pingree bill targeting diesel pollution

Energy and environment

The House approved Chellie Pingree’s measure aimed at reducing diesel pollution and protecting Maine families.

The Ballot Maine DeskSep 17, 2026

News · SC

House passes Russia sanctions bill named for Lindsey Graham

Foreign policy

The measure would target Russian energy and defense interests while giving President Trump authority to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian fuel.

The Ballot South Carolina DeskSep 17, 2026

News · DE

Delaware enacts Farm to Community Program

Elections and voting

The Farm to Community Program has been signed into Delaware law, moving the policy from a proposal to an enacted state program.

The Ballot Delaware News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · KY

Kentucky appeals court orders Matt Bevin released from jail

Elections and voting

The Kentucky Court of Appeals ordered former Gov. Matt Bevin released from jail, a development not directly tied to an election or candidate race.

The Ballot Kentucky Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · GA

Atlanta mayor seeks limits on license plate reader cameras

Elections and voting

The proposal would add new guardrails for Atlanta’s use of cameras that read vehicle license plates.

The Ballot Georgia Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · FL

Uthmeier announces abuse charges, details AI investigations

Public safety

Florida’s attorney general announced five charges against a 34-year-old man and described the state’s use of AI in child predator investigations.

The Ballot Florida News DeskSep 17, 2026

News · TX

Family says Texas abortion ban caused pregnant woman’s death

Health care

The family sued Attorney General Ken Paxton and the doctors who treated the woman after she died from a pregnancy-related condition.

The Ballot Texas Policy DeskSep 17, 2026

News · CO

Bennet votes no on 2026 Farm Bill, calls it unfit

Foreign policy

Colorado Sen. Bennet opposed the 2026 Farm Bill and said the measure did not meet farmers’ needs.

The Ballot Colorado DeskSep 17, 2026