Author: Andrew Bahl
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Appeals court allows enforcement of Indiana law banning student ID for voting
On April 20, a federal appeals court ruled that an Indiana law removing student IDs from the list of eligible voter identification could be enforced, overturning a lower court ruling from earlier this month. The decision from a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit allows the law to be…
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Washington legislators update state voting rights act, enact eight other election-related bills
The Washington Legislature adjourned its 2026 regular session on March 12. During that time, lawmakers sent 10 election-related bills to Gov. Bob Ferguson (D), who signed all of them in March and April. Among those 10 bills were two amending the state’s voting rights act. HB 1750 prohibits political subdivisions from adopting election policies or…
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Mississippi legislators enact citizenship checks for voter list maintenance, seven other election-related bills
The Mississippi Legislature adjourned its regular session on April 15 after enacting eight election-related bills, all of which were signed by Gov. Tate Reeves (R). Among those bills was SB 2588, which requires the secretary of state to annually compare the state's voter rolls with the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program maintained by…
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Federal judge blocks Indiana law banning student ID for voting
On April 14, a U.S. district judge temporarily blocked the enforcement of a 2025 Indiana law that removed student IDs from the list of eligible voter identification. The ruling from U.S. District Court Judge Richard Young allows student IDs to be used as voter identification in the state’s May 5 primary. Governor Mike Braun (R)…
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Nebraska becomes second state to enact or expand a foreign funding ban for ballot measures this year
On April 15, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen (R) signed LB 1075, a bill expanding the state’s ban on foreign contributions to ballot measure committees. In 2022, Nebraska enacted a law banning direct and indirect contributions to ballot measure committees, which Nebraska calls ballot question committees, from foreign citizens, governments, businesses, and political parties. LB 1075…
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Virginia Gov. Spanberger signs bill to rejoin ERIC
On April 13, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation requiring the state to rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). Virginia was previously an ERIC member but withdrew from the organization in 2023, under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Senate Bill 57 requires the state commissioner of elections to apply to rejoin ERIC and…
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Four states have consolidated municipal or school board elections statewide since 2022
While the 2026 election season is a busy one — with races for governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House on the ballot — voters in most states will not be casting ballots for mayor, city council, or school board this year. Each state has different rules dictating when general elections for municipal offices and school…
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Maine Supreme Court says bill expanding ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional
On April 6, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a bill expanding ranked-choice voting (RCV) to general elections for governor and the state Legislature would violate the state’s constitution. Maine currently uses RCV in elections for Congress and president, as well as presidential primaries and primaries for governor and the state legislature. In 2016,…
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Utah enacts proof-of-citizenship bill, 13 other election-related bills during 2026 session
The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2026 general session on March 6. During the session, lawmakers sent 14 election-related bills to Gov. Spencer Cox (R), who signed each one during the month of March. Among those bills was HB 209, which requires individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in state and…
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Trump signs absentee/mail-in voting executive order
On March 31, President Donald Trump (R) issued an executive order that requires the United States Postal Service (USPS) to mail absentee/mail-in ballots only to voters on an approved list. The order, entitled Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections, also requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to use federal data to create…