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.

2,451 stories · page 80 of 82

News · SC

DOJ to monitor Charleston sites during primary runoff

Elections and voting

The Justice Department plans to monitor polling sites in Charleston during a South Carolina primary runoff.

The Ballot South Carolina DeskAug 25, 2026

News · US

At least six states to vote on voter ID measures

Elections and voting

This year will bring the largest number of state voter ID ballot measures held in a single year, including votes in three swing states.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

News · PA

Poll: Pa. Republicans view Fetterman more favorably

Foreign policy

The poll places John Fetterman ahead of a Republican senator on favorability among Pennsylvania Republicans, The Hill reported.

The Ballot Pennsylvania Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

News · US

Iran vows response after US widens sanctions

Foreign policy

Iran said it would retaliate after the United States expanded sanctions, adding a new point of tension to the countries’ relationship.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskAug 25, 2026

Candidate profile · WY

Candidate profile: Gavin Solomon in Wyoming’s Senate race

Elections and voting

Republican Gavin Solomon is among 10 candidates listed in Wyoming’s contested 2026 U.S. Senate general election.

The Ballot Wyoming Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

Race preview · NY

Who is running for U.S. Senate in New York in 2026?

Elections and voting

Four candidates are in New York’s contested U.S. Senate race, which will be decided in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot New York News DeskAug 25, 2026

Candidate profile · NM

Candidate profile: Larry E Marker in New Mexico

Elections and voting

Republican Larry E Marker is among 10 candidates listed in New Mexico’s 2026 U.S. Senate contest.

The Ballot New Mexico Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

Candidate profile · NE

Candidate profile: Owen Nicholas Carlson

Elections and voting

Owen Nicholas Carlson, listed with the label VET, is running for U.S. Senate in Nebraska’s contested 2026 general election.

The Ballot Nebraska Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

Race preview · MN

Who is running in Minnesota’s 8th District in 2026

Elections and voting

Nine candidates, including incumbent Peter Allen Stauber, are listed in the contested race for Minnesota’s 8th Congressional District.

The Ballot Minnesota Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

Candidate profile · ME

Candidate profile: Tucker Favreau

Elections and voting

Tucker Favreau is a Democrat in Maine’s contested 2026 election for the U.S. Senate.

The Ballot Maine DeskAug 25, 2026

Candidate profile · MA

William Francis Mr. Gates: U.S. Senate candidate profile

Elections and voting

Gates is a Democrat in the contested Massachusetts U.S. Senate election scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Massachusetts Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

Candidate profile · KS

Christy Davis is running for U.S. Senate in Kansas

Elections and voting

Democrat Christy Davis is among 12 candidates in Kansas’ contested 2026 U.S. Senate race.

The Ballot Kansas Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

News · US

Trump adds Iran sanctions after nearly six months of war

Foreign policy

The new sanctions extend years of U.S. economic pressure as airstrikes and negotiations have yet to produce a resolution.

The Ballot National DeskAug 25, 2026

News · US

Certain Trading With the Enemy Act Authorities Continued

Elections and voting

The action keeps certain authorities under the Trading With the Enemy Act in use, but its title does not specify their scope or duration.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskAug 25, 2026

News · US

What the National Space Transportation Policy Means

Elections and voting

The policy concerns the federal approach to space transportation, but its specific directives depend on the exact presidential text.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskAug 25, 2026

News · US

Senate Democrats seek hearing on troop strain from Iran war

Foreign policy

The request seeks Senate scrutiny of how the Iran war is affecting U.S. troops and the military’s ability to sustain its duties.

The Ballot National DeskAug 24, 2026

News · OK

Aluminum smelter enters Oklahoma GOP governor runoff

Elections and voting

A billion smelter proposal backed by President Trump has become a dividing issue among Oklahoma Republicans during the governor runoff.

The Ballot Oklahoma DeskAug 24, 2026

News · US

Two US refueling aircraft leave Bulgaria amid Iran anger

Foreign policy

The aircraft departed after their deployment in Bulgaria drew anger from Iran, but their destination and next assignment remain unclear.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskAug 24, 2026

News · US

Officials question East Wing work given existing bunker

Elections and voting

Officials reportedly argue that an existing White House bunker weakens the case for renovating the East Wing to add protected space.

The Ballot National (US) News DeskAug 24, 2026

News · US

Trump administration increases pressure on Iran

Foreign policy

The administration is intensifying its approach toward Iran as an economic deadline described as “D-Day” arrives.

The Ballot National DeskAug 24, 2026

News · US

Bessent to announce new economic sanctions on Iran

Foreign policy

The Trump administration is preparing new economic sanctions as Iran promises a forceful response.

The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskAug 24, 2026

Candidate profile · VT

Candidate profile: Gerald Mr. Malloy

Elections and voting

Republican Gerald Mr. Malloy is one of seven candidates listed in Vermont’s contested 2026 U.S. House general election.

The Ballot Vermont News DeskAug 24, 2026

Candidate profile · SD

Candidate profile: Casey Crabtree

Elections and voting

Republican Casey Crabtree is running in South Dakota’s contested 2026 election for the U.S. House.

The Ballot South Dakota News DeskAug 24, 2026

Candidate profile · RI

Candidate profile: Michael Bahry

Elections and voting

Independent Michael Bahry is among eight candidates listed in Rhode Island’s 2026 U.S. Senate race.

The Ballot Rhode Island News DeskAug 24, 2026

Explainer · PR

Voter guide: Puerto Rico 2026 general election

Elections and voting

Puerto Rico voters can prepare by confirming official deadlines, registration status, ballot choices and voting instructions for 2026.

The Ballot Puerto Rico News DeskAug 24, 2026

Candidate profile · ND

Candidate profile: Vern Thompson

Elections and voting

Vern Thompson is a Democrat running in the contested 2026 election for North Dakota’s U.S. House seat.

The Ballot North Dakota News DeskAug 24, 2026

Race preview · MD

Who is running for Maryland’s 6th District in 2026

Elections and voting

Eleven candidates, including incumbent April Mcclain Delaney, are in the field ahead of the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Maryland News DeskAug 24, 2026

News · NY

Trump’s foreign policy puts allied ties under scrutiny

Foreign policy

An NPR interview examines the effect of President Trump’s foreign policy on America’s relationships with allies.

The Ballot New York Policy DeskAug 24, 2026

Candidate profile · HI

Candidate profile: Nathan M. Berning in Hawaii’s 1st District

Elections and voting

Nathan M. Berning is running as a NON candidate for Hawaii’s 1st Congressional District in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.

The Ballot Hawaii News DeskAug 24, 2026

Candidate profile · DE

Candidate profile: John Shulli in Delaware’s Senate race

Elections and voting

Republican John Shulli is among 12 candidates listed in Delaware’s contested 2026 U.S. Senate race.

The Ballot Delaware News DeskAug 24, 2026