Year: 2026
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Richard Neal defeats progressive challenger Jeromie Whalen in Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 1st District
Incumbent Richard Neal defeated Jeromie Whalen in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 1st Congressional District on Sept. 1. The election reflected nationwide trends of younger, more progressive Democrats challenging long-serving incumbents. The Boston Globe's Anjali Huynh wrote, "As Democrats nationwide struggle to define their party identity, Massachusetts is confronting a rare phenomenon: a healthy number…
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Colorado voters to decide on constitutional amendment that would require approval from an independent commission and the state supreme court for mid-decade redistricting maps
Voters in Colorado will decide on a ballot measure related to mid-decade redistricting on Nov. 3, 2026. The initiated constitutional amendment — known as Initiative 256 — would require any mid-decade redistricting plan to be approved by both the state's independent redistricting commission and the Colorado Supreme Court. The Colorado secretary of state's office certified…
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Trump issued six executive orders in August, bringing his second-term total to 277
President Donald Trump (R) issued six executive orders in August, bringing his second-term total to 277. Trump issued orders on military spouses, citizenship, vaccines, the bulk-power system, and the Great Lakes. Click here to read more about each order. Trump issued four more orders in August than he did in July, when he issued two…
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Trump ends August with 41% approval rating, congressional approval at 16%
At the end of August, approval polling averages showed President Donald Trump (R) at 41% approval. Fifty-six percent of voters disapproved of his performance. The lowest average approval rating of his second term was 39%, last seen on Aug. 25, 2026. The highest average approval rating of his second term was 54%, last seen on…
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Over the past two weeks, 10 new ballot measures certified across Colorado and Nebraska, and one removed from the ballot in Colorado
As of Sept. 1, 161 statewide measures have been certified for the ballot in 40 states, 12 more measures than the average number certified at this point in other even-numbered years over the past decade (2014 to 2024). Over the past two weeks: By this point in even-numbered years from 2014 through 2024, an average…
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Smiley, Morales differ on rent stabilization, Flock surveillance cameras in Providence's Democratic mayoral primary
Incumbent Brett Smiley (D) and David Morales (D) are running in the Democratic primary for mayor of Providence, Rhode Island, on Sept. 9. Mirroring many Democratic primaries across the country, Providence's Democratic mayoral primary features a moderate Democrat, Smiley, and a democratic socialist, Morales. Smiley, a first-term mayor, says his administration reduced violent crime, removed…
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Dan Koh defeats four others in Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District
Dan Koh defeated Beth Andres-Beck, John Beccia, Tram Nguyen, and Jamie Zahlaway Belsito in the Democratic primary for Massachusetts' 6th Congressional District on Sept. 1. Incumbent Seth Moulton (D) ran for the U.S. Senate to represent Massachusetts. Central to the election were the candidates' policies to address affordability, how they would oppose President Donald Trump's…
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State Supreme Court vacancy count for August 2026
In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearings-in of justices from July 31 to Sept. 1, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justices sworn into office: During August 2026, three justices were sworn into office. Candidates nominated: During August 2026,…