News · US
Ossoff and Collins put routine work in reelection pitches
Economy and jobsJon Ossoff and Susan Collins are highlighting day-to-day job performance as they make their cases for reelection.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
Politics and government news
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485 stories · page 1 of 17
News · US
One Nation vows treaty abolition and pepper spray change
Foreign policyOne Nation launched its Victorian campaign with pledges to abolish the First Nations treaty and make pepper spray legal.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Scandals could matter more in close midterm contests
Elections and votingHigh-profile scandals may shape several midterm races where a small change in support could affect the result.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Inside an ICE arrest amid renewed scrutiny
ImmigrationICE agents were observed going to arrest a man as the agency faced renewed scrutiny a month before November’s midterm elections.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
AI campaign deepfakes begin drawing legal threats
Elections and votingLegal threats over AI-generated campaign media are raising questions about responsibility, remedies and how quickly disputes can be resolved.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
128 Republican lawmakers seek Planned Parenthood funding review
Economy and jobsThe lawmakers asked the HHS inspector general to examine federal money received by Planned Parenthood and its affiliates.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Lula, Flavio Bolsonaro end campaigns before first round
Elections and votingLula and Flavio Bolsonaro are concluding their campaigns as Brazil prepares for a first-round vote.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Local election campaigning intensifies across Taiwan
Elections and votingLocal campaigns are drawing increased attention across Taiwan without centering on a single named contest or candidate.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Trump’s red-state travel puts GOP midterm risks in focus
Elections and votingDavid Brooks and Kimberly Atkins Stohr discussed Trump’s campaign travel, Republican midterm vulnerabilities and the administration’s AI strategy.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
White House cites standards in defending outlet bans
Elections and votingJustice Department lawyers say CNN, MS NOW and Politico failed to meet the president’s minimum standards of professionalism.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Pleasanton voters to choose mayor and two council seats
Elections and votingMayor Jack Balch faces Julie Testa as District 1 and District 3 voters choose replacements for departing councilmembers.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Hemp THC industry fights looming federal ban
Elections and votingCongress voted to close a federal loophole that helped create a billion market for impairing products made from hemp.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Poll details do not settle Democratic path to Congress
Elections and votingNo named polling results or seat estimates establish whether Democrats can win control of Congress in the election.
The Ballot National DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
House Republicans vote to undo Trump’s Canada tariffs
Economy and jobsThe vote put House Republicans at odds with President Donald Trump over tariffs targeting Canada.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
Wallace and Meuser compete for Pennsylvania’s 9th District
Elections and votingDemocrat Rachel Wallace is challenging Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser in the Nov. 3 election for a two-year House term.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 4, 2026
News · US
State Department clashes with Democrats over Venezuela briefing
Energy and environmentA Senate briefing was postponed after lawmakers left Washington, while Democrats questioned a Pentagon-linked stake in a Venezuelan oil producer.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
September adds 29,000 jobs as unemployment rises
Economy and jobsThe final jobs report before the Nov. 3 congressional elections showed limited employment growth and a higher unemployment rate.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Lebanon-related presidential determinations revoked
Elections and votingThe Executive Office of the President published a one-page determination concerning earlier presidential determinations related to Lebanon.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Republicans face immigration divide before midterms
ImmigrationThe GOP is balancing its support for Trump’s border policies against voter dissatisfaction with aggressive immigration enforcement.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Arab party leader forced out of Israeli election
Foreign policyAn Arab political party leader has withdrawn from an Israeli election after being compelled to leave the contest.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
No winner yet in the 2026 House and Senate elections
Elections and votingThe 2026 midterms have no established winner, and control of the House and Senate remains unsettled.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
2026 preview: 18th Legislative District
Elections and votingThe 18th Legislative District is identified for 2026, but no specific contest or candidate field has been established.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ examines the reach of Elon Musk’s power
Elections and votingGibney discusses a documentary tracing Elon Musk’s influence across government, artificial intelligence, space, transportation and robotics.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Republican Senate group shifts ad spending to Kansas
Elections and votingThe Senate Leadership Fund ended future North Carolina ads, started a Kansas effort and kept its Georgia spending in place.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Congress changes cash payments with Common Cents Act
Elections and votingThe bipartisan congressional measure changes cash-payment policy as part of an effort to reduce government waste.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
US, Australia close Brazil diplomatic services before vote
Elections and votingBoth governments cited security concerns for closures announced Friday, two days before Brazilians were scheduled to vote.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Congressional control turns on a group of midterm races
Elections and votingA national map highlights the congressional contests whose combined results will determine control of Congress.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
House Republicans set four-part message for final midterm push
Elections and votingA leadership memo tells House Republicans to emphasize the border, government spending, the economy and public safety before the November midterms.
The Ballot National DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Iraq warns of ISIS risk from Syria after US troop exit
ImmigrationIraq is reinforcing its border posture as officials monitor ISIS activity in Syria following the end of the US military mission in Iraq.
The Ballot National (US) Policy DeskOct 3, 2026
News · US
Senate’s final week before midterms, captured in photos
Elections and votingImages from Sept. 25 through Oct. 1 show senators, a Judiciary Committee hearing and activity around the Capitol.
The Ballot National (US) News DeskOct 3, 2026