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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News · MD

What Maryland voters will decide in the 2026 election

Elections and voting

Maryland’s 2026 ballot includes races for governor, attorney general and all eight U.S. House seats.

The Ballot Maryland Policy DeskOct 5, 2026

News · OR

What Oregon voters will decide in the 2026 election

Elections and voting

Oregon’s 2026 ballot includes races for governor, U.S. Senate and all six of the state’s U.S. House seats.

The Ballot Oregon DeskOct 5, 2026

News · VA

Virginia’s 2026 federal races: Senate and 11 House seats

Elections and voting

Virginia voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives for all 11 congressional districts on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskOct 5, 2026

News · TN

What to know about Tennessee’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Tennessee voters will choose a governor, a U.S. senator and representatives for all nine congressional districts on Nov. 3.

The Ballot Tennessee Policy DeskOct 5, 2026

News · AZ

Prop. 144 targets Arizona’s early-voting rules

Elections and voting

The proposal would change Arizona’s early-voting rules, with its full effect determined by the measure’s legal text.

The Ballot Arizona DeskOct 4, 2026

News · MN

DOJ announces voter fraud indictments in Minnesota

Elections and voting

The federal charges are not directly connected to a named candidate, political race or specific election.

The Ballot Minnesota DeskOct 4, 2026

News · MA

Massachusetts voting proposal raises competition question

Elections and voting

A proposed voting change has prompted debate over whether Republican candidates could compete more effectively in Massachusetts.

The Ballot Massachusetts News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · FL

Two Florida measures seek recreational marijuana legalization

Elections and voting

Two newly filed Florida ballot measures would legalize recreational marijuana if they reach voters and receive approval.

The Ballot Florida Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AZ

Prop 144 debate focuses on voter ID and mail voting

Elections and voting

The 2026 debate centers on whether proposed voter ID mandates would strengthen election safeguards or restrict Arizona mail voting.

The Ballot Arizona News DeskOct 3, 2026

News · MN

DOJ announces voter fraud indictments in Minnesota

Elections and voting

The federal charges are not directly linked to a candidate, political race or named election.

The Ballot Minnesota Policy DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AZ

Arizona voters’ 2026 checklist for deadlines, ID and voting

Elections and voting

Arizona voters should confirm their registration, election-specific deadlines, ID requirements and voting method before casting a 2026 ballot.

The Ballot Arizona DeskOct 3, 2026

News · NC

Voter registration warnings reach North Carolina mailboxes

Elections and voting

The notices followed an agreement between North Carolina and the Justice Department under Trump.

The Ballot North Carolina DeskOct 3, 2026

News · AZ

What to watch in Arizona’s Proposition 144 debate

Elections and voting

Arizona voters will decide whether to require identification for mail-in ballots and make other changes to election rules.

The Ballot Arizona Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MO

Reproductive rights measure set for Missouri ballot

Health care

Missouri voters will consider a reproductive rights proposal labeled Amendment 3 on the November statewide ballot.

The Ballot Missouri Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · AZ

Prop 144 debate centers on voter ID and mail voting

Elections and voting

The 2026 debate over Proposition 144 turns on whether voter ID mandates would strengthen safeguards or restrict voting by mail.

The Ballot Arizona News DeskOct 2, 2026

News · UT

Utah proposal would tighten rules for some initiatives

Elections and voting

A proposed amendment would make it harder for some Utah ballot initiatives to qualify under state rules.

The Ballot Utah DeskOct 2, 2026

News · ND

North Dakota Measure 1 would set 60% amendment threshold

Elections and voting

The November measure asks voters whether future state constitutional amendments should need at least 60% approval.

The Ballot North Dakota Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · VA

Abortion votes not identified for three Virginia incumbents

Health care

No specific roll-call votes are identified for the incumbents representing Virginia’s 1st, 2nd and 5th Congressional Districts.

The Ballot Virginia Policy DeskOct 2, 2026

News · AZ

What to watch in Arizona’s Proposition 144 debate

Elections and voting

Arizona voters will decide whether to require identification for mail-in ballots and make other changes to election rules.

The Ballot Arizona DeskOct 2, 2026

News · MO

Reproductive rights measure becomes Missouri Amendment 3

Health care

A proposed constitutional amendment concerning reproductive rights will appear as Amendment 3 on Missouri’s statewide November ballot.

The Ballot Missouri DeskOct 1, 2026

News · NV

Nevada voter ID amendment returns to ballot

Elections and voting

Question 7 will ask Nevada voters to approve identification requirements for in-person and mail voting a second time.

The Ballot Nevada News DeskOct 1, 2026

News · SD

What to know about South Dakota’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

South Dakota voters will choose a governor and a U.S. House member on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot South Dakota DeskOct 1, 2026

News · LA

What to know about Louisiana’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Louisiana voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives for all six congressional districts on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Louisiana News DeskOct 1, 2026

News · AL

2026 Alabama elections: Key statewide races

Elections and voting

Alabama voters will elect a U.S. senator, governor and other statewide officials on Nov. 3, alongside seven U.S. House races.

The Ballot Alabama Policy DeskOct 1, 2026

News · UT

Lee blocks approval rule for Kennedy Center demolition

Elections and voting

The bipartisan effort would have required Congress to approve any Trump administration demolition of the Kennedy Center.

The Ballot Utah DeskSep 30, 2026

News · WI

Three amendments will go before Wisconsin voters this fall

Elections and voting

The measures address government equity policies, the governor’s partial veto authority and closures of places of worship during health emergencies.

The Ballot Wisconsin Policy DeskSep 30, 2026

News · LA

What to know about Louisiana’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Louisiana voters will choose a U.S. senator and representatives for all six congressional districts on Nov. 3.

The Ballot Louisiana News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · SC

What to know about South Carolina’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

South Carolina voters will choose a governor, secretary of state, attorney general and representatives for all seven U.S. House districts.

The Ballot South Carolina News DeskSep 30, 2026

News · NJ

2026 New Jersey elections: Senate and House races

Elections and voting

New Jersey voters will elect one U.S. senator and representatives from all 12 congressional districts on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot New Jersey DeskSep 30, 2026

News · MT

What to know about Montana’s 2026 elections

Elections and voting

Montana voters will decide one U.S. Senate race and elections in both U.S. House districts on Nov. 3, 2026.

The Ballot Montana Policy DeskSep 29, 2026