Author: Andrew Bahl
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Maine secretary of state's office says it will not make determination on whether Troy Jackson's candidacy violates sore loser law
On July 31, CBS13 reported that the Maine secretary of state's office would not make a determination in response to a July 24 letter from state Rep. James White (R) questioning whether Troy Jackson, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, was eligible to run under the state’s sore loser law. Deputy Secretary of State Kate…
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Illinois lawmakers require school districts to provide voter registration opportunities and move RCV task force dates in 2026 session
The Illinois General Assembly adjourned its 2026 regular session on June 1 after passing two election-related bills and one resolution. Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) signed the two bills in June and July. One of those bills was HB 4339, which requires school districts to provide all eligible graduating high school students with the opportunity to…
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Hawaii enacts seven election bills in 2026 session, including prohibition on corporate political activity
The Hawaii Legislature adjourned its 2026 regular session on May 8 after passing seven election-related bills and one resolution. Governor Josh Green (D) signed all seven bills between April and July. Among those bills was SB 2471, which amends state law to modify the powers granted to corporations. The bill establishes that corporations have artificial-person…
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U.S. House passes bill banning foreign contributions to state and local ballot measure campaigns
On July 13, the U.S. House of Representatives approved legislation banning foreign nationals from contributing to state or local ballot measure campaigns. Federal law prohibits federal, state, and local candidates from soliciting, directing, or receiving contributions from individuals who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States. The law also bans contributions from…
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Federal district judges issue conflicting rulings on states' use of expanded SAVE system for voting purposes
Federal district judges in two jurisdictions have issued conflicting rulings in recent weeks on whether the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) may give states access to an expanded version of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system — which provides information about individuals' immigration and citizenship status — for voter registration and list maintenance…
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President Trump removes three remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission
On July 9, President Donald Trump (R) removed the three remaining members of the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), leaving the four-seat commission without any members. The EAC is a federal commission responsible for developing election administration guidance and helping states comply with federal voting law. The commission comprises four members, with two from each of…
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Louisiana enacts 20 election bills during 2026 session, including new congressional maps and voter ID changes
The Louisiana Legislature adjourned its regular session on June 1 after passing 20 election-related bills, one resolution, and one proposed constitutional amendment. Gov. Jeff Landry (R) signed all 20 bills in May and June. Among those bills was SB 121, which redraws the state’s congressional map after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v.…
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Colorado lawmakers enact omnibus elections bill, seven other election-related laws in 2026 session
The Colorado General Assembly adjourned its 2026 regular session on May 13 after passing eight election-related bills. Gov. Jared Polis (D) signed all eight bills between April and June. Among those bills was HB 1113, an omnibus bill making a number of changes to Colorado’s election laws. Those changes included: The Senate approved the final…
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New Jersey becomes the 11th state to enact a state-level voting rights act
On July 2, New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) signed legislation making New Jersey the 11th state to enact a state-level voting rights act. Since the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting nationwide, some states have enacted state-level voting rights acts. The provisions of these laws vary,…
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Ohio governor vetoes bill requiring photo ID for absentee voting
On June 24, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) vetoed legislation that would have required most voters to provide photo identification when either requesting or returning an absentee ballot. Currently, Ohio voters must provide either a copy of their state or federal photo ID or their driver's license number, state identification card number, or the last…