Author: Andrew Bahl
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Voters approve 10 election policy ballot measures on voter ID, noncitizen voting, and more
Voters decided 15 election policy-related statewide ballot measures on Nov. 3, covering issues ranging from voter ID and same-day voter registration to automatically restoring the voting rights of individuals convicted of a felony. As of Nov. 9, voters had approved 10 measures, rejected four, and the result of one was too close to call. Voter…
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Twenty-five states complete unofficial results reporting by Nov. 4
Twenty-five states completed their unofficial reporting of the Nov. 3 election results by 5 pm EST on Nov. 4. Unofficial results include all Election Day, early voting, and absentee/mail-in ballots, but do not necessarily include provisional ballots, cured ballots, or ballots from overseas or military voters. Local and state governments finalize official election results during…
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Voters will determine 15 election policy ballot measures on Nov. 3
Voters in 13 states will decide on 15 ballot measures related to election policy in the Nov. 3 election. Voter ID laws Six states will vote on ballot measures related to voter ID. Measures in two of those states, California and Nevada, would enact new voter ID laws. Both measures would require in-person voters to…
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Georgia could have an automatic recount in 2026 under new law
A close race for governor in Georgia could trigger the state’s new automatic recount law, which will be in effect for the first time during the 2026 elections. Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, and Sabato’s Crystal Ball have all classified the 2026 gubernatorial race as a toss-up. Under SB 3EX, which was enacted in June,…
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Culver City could become the 16th municipality to allow 16-year-olds to vote in local or school board elections
On Nov. 3, voters in Culver City, California, will weigh in on a ballot measure that would allow 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in city and school district elections. If approved, Culver City would become the fourth municipality in California and the 16th nationally to allow individuals under 18 to vote in at least some…
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Here's what to know about casting an absentee/mail-in ballot in the November election
As the Nov. 3 election approaches, election officials across the country are beginning to send absentee/mail-in ballots to voters. Laws governing the absentee/mail-in voting process vary from state to state. Here's an overview of what those laws look like this year. All states allow for some form of absentee/mail-in voting. Thirteen states require voters to…
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California enacts 32 election bills in 2026, including legislation regulating law enforcement presence at polling places
The California Legislature adjourned its regular session on Aug. 31 after sending 34 election-related bills to Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Newsom signed 32 of the bills between May and September and vetoed two of them in September. These 32 bills make California the state with the second-most election-related bills enacted so far this year, behind…
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U.S. Supreme Court allows use of expanded SAVE system ahead of the November elections
On Sept. 25, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed a lower court ruling that blocked the federal government from using an expanded version of the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) system for voter registration and list maintenance. The SAVE system provides information about individuals' immigration and citizenship status. The interim docket ruling allows the U.S.…
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States are recruiting poll workers for November. Here's what they require.
With the Nov. 3 general election approaching, states across the country are recruiting poll workers to serve on Election Day and during the early voting period. Poll workers perform a variety of functions. They may help set up or break down polling places, greet and check in voters, issue and transport ballots, and perform other…
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U.S. Supreme Court leaves order blocking USPS absentee/mail-in voting rules in place for 2026 election
On Sept. 14, the U.S. Supreme Court declined to reverse a lower court order blocking the implementation of an executive order President Donald Trump (R) issued in March that would prohibit the delivery of absentee/mail-in ballots to anyone not enrolled by state election officials in a U.S. Postal Service portal. The ruling means that the…