Year: 2026

  • U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais could spur further changes in redistricting

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    Welcome to Ballot Bulletin: Ballotpedia's Weekly Election Policy Digest. Every Tuesday, we deliver the latest updates on election policy around the country, including nationwide trends and recent legislative activity.  In this week’s edition, we cover 178 bills state legislatures acted on last week and look at the redistricting implications of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision…

  • Trump issued second-lowest number of executive orders of his second term in April

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    Image of the south facade of the White House.

    April saw President Donald Trump’s (R) second-lowest monthly executive order total thus far in his second term. Trump issued five executive orders in April, having issued 259 total in his second term as of May 1. Trump issued orders on pharmaceuticals, college sports, the administrative state, and retirement savings. Click here to read more about…

  • So far this year, fewer incumbent state legislators are retiring, but more are running in contested primary elections

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    Welcome to the Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Brew. By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: So far this year, fewer incumbent state legislators are retiring, but more are running in contested primary elections Across 20 states with completed candidate filing data, 28% of incumbent state legislators are running…

  • Three notable California initiative campaigns submit signatures ahead of June 25 verification deadline

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    Welcome to the Monday, May 4, 2026, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: Three notable California initiative campaigns submit signatures ahead of June 25 verification deadline Campaigns for three notable California citizen initiatives recently submitted signatures to the secretary of state for verification, potentially joining six…

  • ICYMI: Top stories of the week

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    California will be the second state with a Democratic trifecta to vote on a voter ID ballot initiative California voters will decide on a citizen-initiated constitutional amendment that would require voter identification and establish new requirements for voter registration lists and citizenship verification, making it the second state with a Democratic trifecta to decide on…

  • State supreme court vacancy count for April 2026

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    In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearings-in of justices from April 1 to April 30, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justices sworn into office: During April 2026, one justice was sworn into office. Candidates nominated: During April 2026,…

  • Trump and 119th Congress saw lowest approval ratings of Trump's second term in April

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    President Donald Trump (R) and the 119th Congress saw their lowest approval ratings of Trump’s second term in April. At the end of April, approval polling averages showed Trump at 41% approval. Fifty-seven percent of voters disapproved of his performance. The lowest average approval rating of his second term was 40%, last seen on April…

  • Share of contested state legislative incumbents in North Dakota this year ties 2024's record high

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    In 2026, 38.5% of the state legislative incumbents running for election in North Dakota will face primary contests, tying 2024 for the highest share since 2010. In total, 20 incumbents face contested primaries across the North Dakota House and Senate. The average number of incumbents contested each election cycle since 2010 was 10. Nineteen of…

  • Maryland's state legislative elections less competitive than recent cycles

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    Maryland’s state legislative elections will feature the fewest candidates, open seats, contested primaries, and contested incumbents of any election year since 2010.  Twenty-four seats are open in Maryland’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the fewest open seats since 2010 and means newcomers will represent at least 13% of the…

  • Montana has the highest number of contested state legislative primaries at any point since 2010

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    Montana has 64 contested state legislative primaries in 2026, up 8% from 2024 and the highest number at any point since 2010. Of these, there are 20 for Democrats and 44 for Republicans. For Democrats, this is up from 15 in 2024, a 33% increase. The number of contested Republican primaries in 2026 is the…