Category: State
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California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs three bills that may affect speed of election results
California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) signed three bills into law in the first few days of October that change the state’s rules for processing and counting ballots. In some instances, these new laws may result in quicker unofficial election results. California typically takes longer to deliver election results than most other states. This is partly…
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On this date 114 years ago, California became the twelfth state to adopt the initiative and referendum process
On October 10, 1911, California became the twelfth state to establish an initiative and referendum process. On that date, California voters approved two constitutional amendments related to direct democracy. The first, Proposition 7, created the initiative and referendum process. It gave Californians the power to propose constitutional amendments, state statutes, and veto referendums. The measure…
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Missouri becomes the second state to voluntarily redraw its congressional map
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) signed new congressional district boundaries into law on Sept. 28, 2025, making Missouri the second state to voluntarily adopt a new map before the 2026 elections. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) signed a new map into law on Aug. 29, 2025. Together, the two redraws could create six new Republican-leaning…
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Nine states have changed their recount laws in 2025
In the 2026 midterms, some elections could be decided by thin margins. In 2024, three U.S. Senate races and six U.S. House races were decided by less than one percentage point. With that in mind, let’s take a look at the states that have been updating their recount laws this year. State recount laws differ…
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State supreme court vacancy count for September 2025
In this month’s state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from Sept. 2 to Sept. 30. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: During September 2025, one justice announced her future retirement from office. Candidates nominated, appointed, and confirmed: During…
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Missouri veto referendum campaign seeks to place new congressional map on 2026 ballot
In Missouri, signatures are being gathered for a veto referendum to place the newly redrawn congressional district map on the 2026 ballot. A veto referendum is a citizen-initiated ballot measure that asks voters whether to uphold or repeal an enacted law. Placing the map on the ballot would mean it would not go into effect…
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On this date in 1889, Washington voters decided which city should be the state capital
Washington state residents voted on Oct. 1, 1889, to determine the location of the state capital. No one city achieved a majority, leading to an election between the top three in 1890. The City of Olympia had acted as the capital for the Territory of Washington since 1853. With the people’s approval of the Washington…
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Texas AG launches investigation of proxy advisors
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced his office is investigating Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) and Glass Lewis, the two largest proxy advisory firms, for “potentially misleading institutional investors and public companies by issuing voting recommendations that advance radical political agendas.” The announcement followed a U.S. district court injunction pausing the state’s new law regulating…
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Missouri joins group of states where congressional district boundaries could change before the 2026 elections
Missouri joins a group of five states that may have new congressional maps before the 2026 elections. A new Missouri congressional map awaits Gov. Mike Kehoe’s (R) signature after it received final legislative approval on Sept. 12. Texas approved redrawn congressional districts in August. California voters will decide in a Nov. 4, 2025, special election…
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New Missouri congressional map awaits governor’s signature, referendum effort underway
Missouri is expected to become the second state to officially redraw its congressional district boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections. A bill that aims to net one additional Republican U.S. House seat awaits Gov. Mike Kehoe’s signature after the legislature gave it final approval on Sept. 12. The new map would draw the state’s 5th…