Year: 2026
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David Morales defeats incumbent Brett Smiley in the Democratic primary for mayor of Providence, Rhode Island
David Morales (D) defeated incumbent Brett Smiley (D) in the Democratic primary for mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, on Sept. 9. Providence's Democratic mayoral primary featured a moderate Democrat, Smiley, and a democratic socialist, Morales. Smiley, a first-term mayor, said his administration reduced violent crime, removed ATVs and dirt bikes from the streets, added new…
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Ballotpedia releases federal judicial vacancy count for September 2026
In this month’s federal judicial vacancy count, Ballotpedia tracked nominations, confirmations, and vacancies from Aug. 2 through Sept. 1, 2026. Ballotpedia publishes the federal judicial vacancy count at the start of each month. HIGHLIGHTS New vacancies There were 27 vacancies out of 870 active Article III judicial positions, a total vacancy percentage of 3.1, which…
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North Carolina enacts bill restricting judicial deference by administrative law judges
North Carolina became the fifth state to restrict judicial deference through legislation in 2026 when Gov. Josh Stein (D) signed Senate Bill (SB) 445, the Regulatory Review Act of 2026, into law on Aug. 11. The new law prohibits administrative law judges (ALJs) from engaging in the practice of judicial deference to state agencies’ interpretations…
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First time two Democrats appear in the general election for California commissioner of insurance
Ben Allen (D) and Jane Kim (D) are running in the general election for California commissioner of insurance on Nov. 3. They defeated nine other candidates to advance from the top-two primary on June 2. Kim received 26.8% of the vote and Allen 19.6%. Incumbent Ricardo Lara (D) is term-limited. The commissioner of insurance regulates…
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Missouri voters to decide amendment requiring voter approval for certain legislative changes to initiative process and voter-approved laws
On Sept. 3, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that an initiative related to the state's initiative process may appear on the Nov. 3, 2026, ballot. The initiative would amend the constitution to establish the citizen initiative and referendum process as fundamental rights and prohibit the state legislature from “weakening citizens’ initiative and referendum powers.” The…
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Michigan voters to decide measure that would prohibit certain entities from political spending
In November, Michigan voters will decide on a ballot initiative that would prohibit certain organizations and individuals from making campaign contributions. The campaign supporting the measure, Michiganders Out of Money in Politics, submitted enough valid signatures earlier this year to qualify for the ballot. The initiative was then sent to the legislature to consider—in Michigan,…
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Voters in six states to decide eight income or wealth tax ballot measures in 2026
In 2026, voters in six states will decide—or have already decided—nine statewide ballot measures related to income or wealth taxes. On August 4, voters defeated Missouri Amendment 5, which would have required reductions in the individual income tax until the tax was eliminated in the state. The remaining eight measures will appear on the ballot…