Author: Andrew Bahl
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New Mexico lawmakers approve three pieces of election-related legislation in 2026 session
During New Mexico's 2026 regular legislative session that ended on Feb. 19, lawmakers adopted one election-related resolution and passed two election-related bills, both of which Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed in March. Senate Joint Resolution 1 proposes a constitutional amendment to voters that would allow school elections to be held on the same dates…
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Wyoming expands post-election audit requirements, enacts three other election bills in 2026 session
On March 11, Wyoming lawmakers adjourned for the 2026 regular session after enacting four election-related bills. Among those bills was SF 113, which requires election officials to conduct a hand count audit of physical ballots cast during the 2026 primary and general elections. Each county is required to hand-count as close to 5% of all…
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Indiana lawmakers enact nine election-related bills during 2026 legislative session — in line with 2023-2025 average
Indiana lawmakers adjourned for the 2026 regular session on Feb. 27. During the session, legislators sent nine election-related bills to Gov. Mike Braun (R), who signed each one. Among the nine bills was SB 12, which bans the use of ranked-choice voting (RCV), making Indiana the 18th state to prohibit RCV. The legislation passed the…
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New Mexico enacts law prohibiting the deployment of troops to polling places
On March 9, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) signed legislation prohibiting a person from bringing or ordering military troops or armed federal agents to a polling place or ballot drop box location. Federal law prohibits the deployment of troops or United States servicemembers to a polling place “unless such force be necessary to…
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What to know about states that don't use primary elections to nominate candidates
Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas have their statewide primaries on March 3, kicking off the 2026 primary season. Generally, political parties use primary elections to determine their nominees in advance of a general election. In some cases, however, political parties can — or must — nominate candidates for the general election without conducting a primary.…
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Indiana becomes the 18th state to ban ranked-choice voting
On Feb. 24, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) signed legislation prohibiting the use of ranked-choice voting in the state, making Indiana the 18th state to ban RCV nationwide. Ranked-choice voting (RCV) is a system where voters rank candidates by preference on their ballots. In the RCV system most commonly used in the United States, a…
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Maine legislators weigh expanding state's ranked-choice voting system
On Feb. 10, Maine legislators approved a bill requiring the use of ranked-choice voting to elect the governor and members of the state legislature. Before advancing the legislation to Gov. Janet Mills (D), the legislature is waiting for advice from the Maine Supreme Judicial Court. In the ranked-choice voting system currently used in Maine, a…
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Arizona moves its primary from August to July
Arizona’s 2026 primary will now occur on July 21, after Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) signed legislation on Feb. 6 that moves up the state’s primary date. Under HB 2022, primary elections will now take place on the second-to-last Tuesday in July. Previously, primaries occurred on the first Tuesday in August. HB 2022 passed on a…
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Twenty-five states weigh legislation on foreign funding in elections
Lawmakers in 25 states are considering new state laws or constitutional amendments so far this year related to foreign funding in elections. 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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Congress considers whether to require voter ID, proof of citizenship for federal elections
On Feb. 11, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAVE America Act, which, if enacted, would require voters in all 50 states to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote and voter ID to cast a ballot in federal elections. The legislation, introduced by U.S. Rep. Chip Roy (R), is among several…