Year: 2026
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Alabama enacts bill ending state judicial deference, Georgia Legislature passes similar bill
On March 31, 2026, Alabama GovernorKay Ivey (R) signed SB 167, ending judicial deference practices in state courts. Judicial deference is a practice by courts by which they adopt an agency’s reading of an ambiguous statute, regulation, or other document in cases involving that agency. SB 167 removes language in the state Administrative Procedure Act…
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Trump order bars DEI practices in federal contracts
On March 26, 2026, President Donald Trump (R) signed an executive order (EO) that orders federal agencies to add a new clause to federal contracts barring contractors and subcontractors from engaging in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activities. The order establishes penalties including contract termination and potential exclusion from future federal work. The order, titled…
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December redistricting vote shapes Republican primaries for Indiana Senate
Republican primaries for the Indiana Senate will take place on May 5, 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The Indiana Senate is one of 88 state legislative chambers with elections in 2026. There are 99 chambers throughout the country. Twenty-five of the Indiana Senate's 50 seats are up for election in 2026.…
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Democrats are so far the only major party with a ballot-qualified candidate in the U.S. Senate general election in New Mexico
Voters in New Mexico will elect one member to the U.S. Senate in the general election on November 3, 2026. As of March 31, 2026, Democrats were the only major party with a ballot-qualified candidate. If a Republican candidate does not qualify, it would be the first since 1914 without candidates from both major parties…
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Federal memo clarifies requirements after two more states allow workers in labor disputes to claim unemployment benefits
On Jan. 8, 2026, the U.S. The Department of Labor (DOL) released a memorandum indicating that states could not provide unemployment insurance benefits to striking workers unless they were actively seeking work. Four states — all with Democratic trifectas — have laws that provide unemployment insurance for some striking workers. In 2025, governors in two…
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State supreme court vacancy count for March 2026
In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from March 1 to March 31, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justices sworn into office: During March 2026, two justices were sworn into office in two states. Candidates nominated:…
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Alex Bores (D), George Conway (D), Micah Lasher (D), Jack Schlossberg (D), and six other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District on June 23, 2026
Alex Bores (D), George Conway (D), Micah Lasher (D), Jack Schlossberg (D), and six other candidates are running in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District on June 23, 2026. The filing deadline is April 6, 2026. As of April 2026, Bores, Conway, Lasher, and Schlossberg led in polling, fundraising, and local media…
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SEIU-UHW submits signatures for California ballot initiatives capping executive pay and requiring clinics to spend 90% on patient care
Service Employees International Union — United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) filed signatures for two citizen initiatives that would enact laws limiting executive pay and requiring clinics to spend 90% of their revenue on patient care. Initiative #25-0008, also referred to as the Clinic Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, would require nonprofit federally qualified health centers…