News · CA
California and six states sue over federal funding
Elections and votingThe states accuse the Trump administration of withholding money that Congress approved.
The Ballot California DeskOct 3, 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.
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1,566 stories · page 7 of 53
News · PA
Pennsylvania House passes bill to end closed primaries
Elections and votingThe measure cleared the state House, but Pennsylvania’s primary election rules have not changed yet.
The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · PA
Pennsylvania House passes bill on unaffiliated primary voting
Elections and votingThe measure would let Pennsylvania voters without a party affiliation participate in primary elections.
The Ballot Pennsylvania News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · CA
Padilla challenges tax-credit plan affecting 700,000
Economy and jobsPadilla, Cortez Masto and Wyden say the Trump administration cannot change tax credits enacted by Congress.
The Ballot California Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Hegseth creates Pentagon Office of Religious Affairs
Foreign policyThe new office reports directly to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, placing religious affairs within his immediate Pentagon leadership structure.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
G7 agrees to release 100 million barrels of oil
Energy and environmentThe international agreement includes diesel and comes as rising prices put political pressure on President Donald Trump and Republicans.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Brazil vote may reshape Senate more than House
Elections and votingThe election may produce limited change in Brazil’s House while altering the Senate more noticeably.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Trump says Iran war will end soon as 9,000 troops deploy
Foreign policyTwo U.S. naval groups are heading to the Middle East, where American forces could soon total about 20,000.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · US
Hegseth orders October voting day off for all US troops
Elections and votingThe Pentagon policy gives every U.S. service member one day off in October to vote and will return in even-numbered election years.
The Ballot National DeskOct 2, 2026
News · KS
Republican super PAC redirects money to Kansas
Elections and votingThe Senate Leadership Fund is moving advertising money from North Carolina to Kansas as the Kansas contest becomes more competitive.
The Ballot Kansas DeskOct 2, 2026
News · MO
Sports event contracts ordered to end in Missouri
Elections and votingPrediction market companies must stop offering sports-related event contracts covered by a Missouri order.
The Ballot Missouri News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · TN
Appeals court halted Pike execution before high court action
Health careThe U.S. Supreme Court later allowed Tennessee to proceed, but the execution attempt did not result in Christa Pike’s death.
The Ballot Tennessee DeskOct 2, 2026
News · NY
New York Attorney General Sues Evolutions Festival
Elections and votingThe state’s lawsuit centers on ticket refunds and vendor fees that Evolutions Festival allegedly failed to return.
The Ballot New York News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · FL
Florida governor signs warrant in prison cellmate killing
Public safetyThe governor signed a death warrant for a man who killed his cellmate while confined in a Florida state prison.
The Ballot Florida News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · MD
Scott seeks protective order in Baltimore records dispute
Elections and votingBaltimore Mayor Scott is seeking to restrict the inspector general’s access to some records through a protective order.
The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · AR
Arkansas attorney general sues 29 over mailed abortion pills
Health careThe lawsuit brings 29 defendants into a court dispute involving abortion pills sent through the mail.
The Ballot Arkansas News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · MS
Mississippi Democrats weigh a new Senate push
Elections and votingA young district attorney is urging Democratic officials and donors to compete for voters despite the party’s long Senate drought.
The Ballot Mississippi Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · LA
New Orleans asks U.S. Supreme Court to review clerk case
Elections and votingThe city is challenging a Louisiana ruling that upheld the elimination of an elected criminal court clerk’s office after an election.
The Ballot Louisiana Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · RI
Smiley’s conduct draws notice after loss to Morales
Elections and votingThe Boston Globe has drawn attention to Mayor Brett Smiley’s behavior following a loss to David Morales.
The Ballot Rhode Island News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · MO
Kansas City man dies after July 4 shooting
Public safetyA man shot July 4 in Kansas City, Missouri, died this week, and his death has been classified as a homicide.
The Ballot Missouri DeskOct 2, 2026
News · CA
California legalizes plug-in balcony solar systems
HousingA new state law will let residents install small solar systems without utility approval, subject to safety and certification rules.
The Ballot California News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · OK
Lizzy’s Law proposal targets supervised visitation safety
Foreign policyAn Oklahoma senator has proposed Lizzy’s Law, a measure intended to improve safety during supervised visitation.
The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · AL
Alabama data center law starts Oct. 1
Elections and votingFiled contracts and a changing commission review process will shape what the new law means for Alabama electricity customers.
The Ballot Alabama Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · UT
Utah senator proposes data center transparency bills
Foreign policyThe proposals would put data center transparency before Utah lawmakers, with their effect depending on the legislative process.
The Ballot Utah News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · DC
Trump orders federal mosquito-control effort in D.C.
Elections and votingAn executive order directs several federal agencies to coordinate a mosquito-control effort in Washington, D.C.
The Ballot District of Columbia News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · AR
Three states challenge abortion-pill shield laws
Health careThe attorneys general of Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama announced a multistate lawsuit involving laws tied to mailed abortion pills.
The Ballot Arkansas DeskOct 2, 2026
News · OR
Grand jury flags major problems at Oregon State Hospital
Health careCourt demands, too few beds and leadership instability are severely impairing Oregon State Hospital, a grand jury found.
The Ballot Oregon News DeskOct 2, 2026
News · OK
Oklahoma City approves roadwork tied to first Buc-ee’s
Elections and votingThe city approved roadwork connected to Oklahoma’s first Buc-ee’s while concerns about outward development remained unresolved.
The Ballot Oklahoma Policy DeskOct 2, 2026
News · OR
Signed Oregon law improves workers’ compensation benefits
Elections and votingOregon has signed legislation improving workers’ compensation benefits, with implementation details now becoming the next focus.
The Ballot Oregon DeskOct 2, 2026
News · OK
Oklahoma courts act as health insurance costs rise
Health careA Winter Storm Uri gas case is headed to trial, the state high court has ruled on a birth certificate law, and insurance pressures are growing.
The Ballot Oklahoma News DeskOct 2, 2026