Senate Republicans invoke nuclear option to change nomination rules
On Sept. 11, Senate Republicans voted to change chamber rules governing the nomination process for certain presidential nominees. The vote was 53-45, along party lines. This procedure, where a majority party changes a Senate rule or precedent through a simple majority vote, is often referred to as the nuclear option or constitutional option.
This change in Senate precedent now allows the chamber to vote by simple majority to confirm a slate of nominees in a group, rather than having to conduct individual confirmation votes for each nominee. The Senate can use this new precedent to confirm ambassador nominees and nominees to work in executive departments and agencies. Cabinet-level and judicial nominations are excluded and must be confirmed individually.
Missouri could become the second state to redraw its congressional map before the 2026 elections
Missouri is expected to become the second state to officially redraw its congressional district boundaries before the 2026 elections. On Sept. 12, the Missouri General Assembly approved a bill that aims to net an additional Republican-leaning district in the U.S. House of Representatives after Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) called a special legislative session on Aug. 29. The bill now awaits Kehoe’s signature.
Republicans currently represent six of the state’s congressional districts, and Democrats represent two. The new map would draw the state’s 5th Congressional District—which Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D) represents in the Kansas City area—into the surrounding Republican-held rural districts. According to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the new map would create seven Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic-leaning district in the St. Louis area.
Thirty-five members of Congress have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026
As of Sept. 14, Thirty-five members of the U.S. Congress—eight U.S. Senate members and 27 U.S. House members—have announced they will not seek re-election in 2026. That’s the most announced retirements at this point in an election cycle since at least 2018.
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for 2025 is trending below the odd-year average, while 2026 is trending above the even-year average
The number of certified statewide ballot measures for 2025 is trending below the odd-year average of 34. Meanwhile, the number of certified statewide ballot measures for 2026 is trending above the even-year average of 46.
2026 ballot measures
Fifty-six measures have been certified for the 2026 ballot in 28 states. Between 2010 and 2024, an average of 53 initiatives and 108 referred measures were on the ballot during even-year elections.
2025 ballot measures
The 30 measures certified so far have come from California, Colorado, Louisiana, Maine, New York, Ohio, Texas, Washington, and Wisconsin. Voters have already decided on six measures, while the other 21 are scheduled for elections on Nov. 4.