Category: 2026 elections
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Maryland voters to decide ballot measure on whether state constitutional criteria for political boundaries apply to congressional districts
The Maryland General Assembly voted on Aug. 4 to send a ballot measure to voters in November that would provide that constitutional requirements for contiguity, compactness, substantially equal population, and consideration of natural and political subdivision boundaries apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional districts, and that the Maryland Constitution establishes no criteria for…
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Voters in Washington, D.C., and Denver, Colorado, will decide on foie gras ban ballot initiatives in November
Voters in Washington, D.C., and Denver, Colorado, will decide similar ballot initiatives on November 3, 2026, concerning the force-feeding of birds and the sale of foie gras. Foie gras means fatty liver in French. The USDA defines goose- and duck-liver foie gras as liver “obtained exclusively from specially fed and fattened geese and ducks.” Pro-Animal…
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Below average number of open state legislative seats in Hawaii in 2026
Four seats are open in Hawaii’s state legislative elections this year, meaning no incumbents filed. That is the second-fewest since 2010, above only 2016 which had three. Newcomers are guaranteed 5% of the legislature next year. Twenty-three incumbents face primary contests in Hawaii’s state legislative elections this year, matching the average since 2010 and up…
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Incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and John Braun (R) advanced from the top-two primary in Washington's 3rd Congressional District on August 4, 2026
Incumbent Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and John Braun (R) advanced from the top-two primary in Washington's 3rd Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Perez and Braun defeated seven other candidates. As of July 2026, Perez, Braun, and Brent Hennrich (D) led in fundraising and local media attention. The Oregonian's Betsy Hammond said Perez "is one…
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Shannon Taylor (D) defeated Salaam Bhatti (D), Jason Knapp (D), and four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 1st Congressional District on August 4, 2026
Shannon Taylor (D) defeated Salaam Bhatti (D), Jason Knapp (D), and four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 1st Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Taylor, Bhatti, and Knapp led in endorsements and fundraising. Taylor will face incumbent Rob Wittman (R) in the general election. The Virginia Mercury's Shannon Heckt said, "Voters in…
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Donavan McKinney (D) defeated incumbent Shri Thanedar (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District on August 4, 2026
Donavan McKinney (D) defeated incumbent Shri Thanedar (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 13th Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Local radio station WDET's Russ McNamara said Thanedar was "facing a difficult primary opponent, State Representative Donavan McKinney. The progressive Democrat has already been endorsed by Black leaders in Detroit and other [progressives] like…
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William Lawrence (D) defeated Bridget Brink (D) and Matt Maasdam (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 7th Congressional District on August 4, 2026
William Lawrence (D) defeated Bridget Brink (D) and Matt Maasdam (D) in the Democratic primary for Michigan's 7th Congressional District on August 4, 2026. Lawrence will face incumbent Tom Barrett (R), first elected in 2024, in the general election. As of May 2026, major forecasting organizations rated the general election a toss-up. The Detroit Free…
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Abdul El-Sayed (D) defeated Haley Stevens (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan on August 4, 2026
Abdul El-Sayed (D) defeated Haley Stevens (D) in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate in Michigan on August 4, 2026. Two-term incumbent Gary Peters (D) did not run for re-election. Peters endorsed Stevens on July 13, 2026. Crain's Detroit Business' David Eggert said the primary was "Michigan’s first truly competitive Democratic Senate primary in 32…
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Don Beyer defeats four challengers in Democratic primary for Virginia's 8th Congressional District
Incumbent Don Beyer defeated Lorena Bruner, Michael Duffin, Adam Dunigan, and Mo Seifeldein in the Democratic primary for Virginia's 8th Congressional District on Aug. 4. The primary reflected a broader division within the Democratic Party, with challengers framing incumbents as establishment politicians doing too little to counter President Donald Trump (R) and the Republican Party.…
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Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell defeated four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st Congressional District on Aug. 4, 2026
Incumbent Rep. Wesley Bell (D) defeated four other candidates in the Democratic primary for Missouri's 1st Congressional District on Aug. 4, 2026. Bell and Cori Bush (D) led in noteworthy endorsements and fundraising. At the time of the election, this primary was one of five in the 2026 election cycle in which a former member of the U.S. House of Representatives ran against an incumbent member. Bush represented…