Year: 2026
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Connecticut could become the 37th state to allow absentee/mail-in voting without an excuse
On May 15, Connecticut legislators sent a bill to Gov. Ned Lamont (D) that would remove the requirement that voters provide an excuse to request an absentee ballot. Currently, Connecticut is one of 14 states that require voters to have a valid excuse to vote absentee/by mail. Twenty-eight states allow any eligible voter to request…
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North Dakota voters to decide amendment requiring schools to provide free meals
North Dakota voters will decide on a constitutional amendment that would require schools to provide free meals to students. The initiative, sponsored by Together for School Meals, would amend the constitution to require all public schools to provide one free breakfast and one free lunch to students each school day. Under the amendment, schools that…
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Louisiana becomes fourth state to advance a bail-related constitutional amendment to voters in 2026
The Louisiana State Legislature approved a constitutional amendment related to post-conviction bail for defendants who are convicted of an aggravated offense against minors for the Nov. 3, 2026, statewide general election ballot. Legislators passed the amendment on May 13, 2026. In Louisiana, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during a single session to place a…
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New York Governor says state plans to participate in federal education tax credit scholarship program
On May 7, 2026, New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) said that she plans to opt the state into the federal education tax credit scholarship program, also known as the Education Freedom Tax Credit (EFTC). New York is the third state with a Democratic trifecta to indicate participation in the program, following Virginia and Colorado. Twenty-three…
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SEC moves to rescind 2024 climate disclosure rule
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) submitted a proposal to rescind its 2024 climate-risk disclosure rule to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on May 4, 2026. The rule never took effect because litigation paused its implementation shortly after adoption. SEC staff is also preparing recommendations to the commission to rescind the rule at…
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Alabama announces special primary elections for four U.S. House races, New Hampshire moves 2028 primary date
Two states recently revised their election calendars: Alabama scheduled special primary elections this year for four congressional districts, and New Hampshire moved its statewide and congressional primaries to June beginning in 2028. On May 12, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) announced that special primaries will happen on Aug. 11 for four of the state's seven…
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Incumbent Bill Cassidy loses U.S Senate re-election in Louisiana as Republican primary heads to runoff
Julia Letlow (R) and John Fleming (R) advanced to a June 27 runoff in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate in Louisiana, with 45% and 28% of the vote, respectively. Incumbent Bill Cassidy finished third, with 24% of the vote. President Donald Trump (R) and Gov. Jeff Landry (R) endorsed Letlow. According to Axios' Alex…
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Rep. Steve Cohen becomes the 57th U.S. representative to announce he won’t seek re-election in 2026
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.) announced on May 15, 2026, that he will not seek re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026. Cohen’s announcement came after the Tennessee General Assembly passed a new congressional map on May 7, 2026, which Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) signed that day. Based on the 2024 presidential election…