Category: State
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California initiative that would make changes to the environmental review process established by CEQA qualifies for the November ballot
The California Secretary of State announced that a ballot initiative proposing to amend the California Environmental Quality Act by modifying environmental review processes qualified for the ballot on June 16. The Committee to Build an Affordable California, the campaign supporting the initiative, submitted 942,967 signatures, of which the secretary of state projected 77.5% are valid,…
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Jon Echols (R) defeated Jeff Starling (R) in the Republican primary for Oklahoma Attorney General on June 16, 2026
Jon Echols (R) defeated Jeff Starling (R) in the Republican primary for Oklahoma Attorney General on June 16, 2026. Incumbent Gentner Drummond (R), first elected in 2022, ran for governor. The last election for Oklahoma Attorney General without an incumbent on the ballot was in 2010. The Southwest Ledger's M. Scott Carter said, "For decades,…
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Campaign behind a ballot initiative to prohibit corporations from political spending in Montana submits signatures
A campaign submitted 50,000 signatures to county officials on June 16 for verification to qualify a ballot initiative that would prohibit nonprofits, trusts, partnerships, corporations, trade associations, or unincorporated associations, and all entities doing business in Montana from contributing to campaigns, ballot measure elections, or political parties. The initiative classifies these entities as artificial persons…
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North Carolina General Assembly overrides Governor's veto of bill opting state into federal education tax credit scholarship program
On June 3, 2026, the North Carolina General Assembly overrode Gov. Josh Stein's (D) veto of HB 87, titled the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA), opting the state into the federal education tax credit scholarship program. Stein vetoed HB 87 on Aug. 6, 2025. In his 2025 veto message, Stein said, "Once the federal…
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Iowa enacts five election bills in 2026, including prohibition on foreign donations in ballot measure elections
The Iowa General Assembly adjourned its 2026 regular session on May 3 after passing five election-related bills. Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed each of the bills by June 2. Among the enacted bills was HF 2601, which prohibits foreign contributions in ballot measure elections. Iowa previously had a ban on foreign funding for candidate elections,…
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Kansas could become the first state to change its supreme court selection method since 2021
On August 4, as Kansans vote in primaries for offices including governor and U.S. Senate, a constitutional amendment to change how the state’s supreme court justices are selected will be on the ballot. Currently, the state uses an assisted-appointment method in which a nominating commission sends a list of applicants to the governor, who selects…
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What to know about how states count absentee/mail-in ballots
In the midst of primary season, voters may wonder about the laws that govern how and when states count absentee/mail-in ballots. Every state provides a method for voters to cast ballots without visiting a physical polling place, but policies for counting those ballots differ from state to state. State laws prescribe when election officials can…
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Iowa becomes the 25th state to ban foreign contributions to ballot measure committees
On June 2, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) signed legislation, HF 2601, which prohibits foreign contributions in ballot measure elections. Iowa previously had a ban on foreign funding for candidate elections, but no such prohibition on foreign contributions to ballot measure committees. Iowa is now the 25th state to ban foreign nationals or governments from…
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California initiative to require healthcare union members to approve of union political spending qualifies for the November ballot
A ballot initiative, sponsored by the California Hospital Association (CHA), to require healthcare labor unions to inform members annually how member dues are being spent on political activities, specifically spending on state and local ballot measures, and require a majority of members to approve such expenditures qualified for the November ballot on June 5. The…
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Virginia's new Democratic trifecta approved 49 election-related bills and resolutions during the 2026 legislative session, a 250% increase over previous three-year average with divided government
The Virginia General Assembly adjourned its 2026 regular session on April 22 after sending 51 election-related bills to Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) and adopting three resolutions. Spanberger signed 46 bills and vetoed five. The 2026 session was the first time in five years that Virginia had a Democratic trifecta, where one party controls both chambers…