Author: Andrew Bahl
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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…
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Florida, South Dakota, Utah enact proof of citizenship laws for voter registration
Florida, South Dakota, and Utah have joined nine other states in enacting laws requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote. On April 1, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed HB 991, which includes a proof of citizenship requirement that takes effect on January 1, 2027. On March 26, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden…
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Senate takes up SAVE America Act to require voter ID, proof of citizenship for federal elections
On March 17, the U.S. Senate began debate on the SAVE America Act, which would require individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and voter ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. As of March 24, debate continued in the Senate, and a final vote had not been scheduled. On…
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U.S. Supreme Court to hear oral arguments on legality of Mississippi's absentee ballot return law
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on March 23 in Watson v. Republican National Committee, a case challenging the legality of a Mississippi law that allows absentee ballots postmarked by Election Day to be counted if they are received up to five business days after the election. Mississippi is one of 14 states that…
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Ohio becomes second state this year to ban ranked-choice voting
On March 17, Gov. Mike DeWine (R) signed a bill making Ohio the 19th state to ban ranked-choice voting (RCV). Ohio is the second state to enact a prohibition on RCV this year, after Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) signed a ban in February. In 2025, six states enacted legislation prohibiting RCV. Six states also…