Year: 2026

  • The many ways in which American voters select nominees in primary elections

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    Welcome to the Friday, March 20, Brew. By: Briana Ryan Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: The many ways in which American voters select nominees in primary elections Today, we're sharing the second installment in our project marking America's 250th anniversary: The Blueprints of Democracy.  There are a few basic…

  • U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on legality of Mississippi's absentee ballot return law

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    The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on March 23 in Watson v. Republican National Committee, a case challenging the legality of a Mississippi law that allows absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they are received up to five business days after the election. Mississippi is one of 14 states that…

  • Ohio becomes second state this year to ban ranked-choice voting

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    On March 17, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill making Ohio the 19th state to ban ranked-choice voting (RCV). Ohio is the second state to enact a prohibition on RCV this year, after Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) signed a ban in February. In 2025, six states enacted legislation prohibiting RCV. Six states also…

  • New Mexico lawmakers approve three pieces of election-related legislation in 2026 session

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    During New Mexico's 2026 regular legislative session that ended on Feb. 19, lawmakers adopted one election-related resolution and passed two election-related bills, both of which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed in March. Senate Joint Resolution 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to voters that would allow school elections to be held on the same dates…

  • Voters in at least five jurisdictions will decide ballot measures related to data centers in 2026

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    In 2026, voters in multiple states will decide on at least five local ballot measures related to data center development, including one to allow data center development, and four to limit, prohibit, or create additional steps for data center development. In addition to these local measures, a state ballot initiative has been proposed in Ohio…

  • Wyoming expands post-election audit requirements, enacts three other election bills in 2026 session

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    On March 11, Wyoming lawmakers adjourned for the 2026 regular session after enacting four election-related bills. Among those bills was SF 113, which requires election officials to conduct a hand count audit of physical ballots cast during the 2026 primary and general elections.  Each county is required to hand-count as close to 5% of all…

  • EPA revokes endangerment finding, rolling back EPA regulation of greenhouse gas emissions

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    Highlights from this edition of Checks and Balances include the EPA moving to deregulate greenhouse gas emissions, and a REINS-style state law in South Dakota In Washington EPA revokes Obama-era ‘endangerment finding’ on greenhouse gas emissions On Feb. 18, 2026, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published a final rule that revoked the agency’s interpretation of…

  • Weekly Brew: March 20, 2026

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    New Mexico enacts law prohibiting the deployment of troops to polling places On March 9, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed legislation prohibiting a person from bringing or ordering military troops or armed federal agents to a polling place or ballot drop box location. Federal law prohibits the deployment of troops or United…

  • West Virginia becomes the fourth state to put a citizenship voting requirement amendment on the 2026 ballot

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    Welcome to the Thursday, March 19, 2026, Brew.  By: Lara Bonatesta Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day: West Virginia becomes the fourth state to put a citizenship voting requirement amendment on the 2026 ballot On March 14, the West Virginia Senate passed Senate Joint Resolution 9 (SJR 9), making West…

  • Hall Pass: Your Ticket to Understanding School Board Politics, Edition #197

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    Welcome to Hall Pass, a newsletter written to keep you plugged into the conversations driving  school board governance, the politics surrounding it, and education policy.  In today’s edition, you’ll find: Reply to this email to share reactions or story ideas! On the issues: The debate over public school open enrollment in New Hampshire In this…