Category: State
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Utah State Legislature repeals public sector collective bargaining ban, which was scheduled for a referendum vote in 2026
The Utah State Legislature voted to repeal HB 267 during a special legislative session on Dec. 9, 2025. In Utah, a pending veto referendum is automatically invalidated if the state legislature repeals the targeted legislation. As such, the referendum targeting HB 267 will not be on the 2026 Utah ballot. HB 267 would have prohibited…
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Wyoming could become the 41st state to specify who may return another voter's ballot
The Wyoming Legislature's Joint Corporations, Elections & Political Subdivisions Committee voted 11-2 last month to sponsor legislation limiting who may return another voter’s absentee ballot, meaning the legislature may consider the bill during the state’s 2026 legislative session. Wyoming is one of 23 states with a Republican trifecta. The bill would prohibit individuals who are…
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Rep. Matt Van Epps takes office—ending the vacancy in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District
On Dec. 4, Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) swore Rep. Matt Van Epps (R) into the U.S. House of Representatives, filling the vacancy in Tennessee’s 7th Congressional District. The vacancy began on July 20, after then-Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) left office to accept a position in the private sector. In the Dec. 2…
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Ninth Circuit halts California climate-disclosure rule
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit issued an order on Nov. 18 temporarily blocking enforcement of California’s climate-risk disclosure law, SB 261. The statute requires companies with more than $500 million in annual revenue to report climate-related financial risks starting Jan. 1, 2026. The court granted the request after the U.S. Chamber…
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South Dakota is the latest state to indicate participation in the federal education tax credit scholarship program
What's the story? On Nov. 14, South Dakota Gov. Larry Rhoden (R) announced that the state would participate in the U.S. school choice tax credit scholarship program, which the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) established when President Trump (R) signed the bill into law in July. The program is a nonrefundable tax credit that…
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State supreme court vacancy count for November 2025
In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from Nov. 1 to Nov. 30, 2025. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Announced retirements: During November 2025, two justices announced their retirement from their respective state supreme courts. Candidates nominated,…
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U.S. Supreme Court case could affect absentee/mail-in ballot return deadlines
On Nov. 10, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear Watson v. Republican National Committee, a case challenging the legality of a Mississippi law permitting 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 15 states that allow…
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Marijuana and psychedelics on the ballot in 2026: One ballot measure qualified in Idaho, seven more proposed in six states
In 2026, voters in six states may decide on marijuana and psychedelic-related ballot measures. One measure has been certified to appear on the Idaho ballot next November. There are seven other potential measures in Alaska, Idaho, Massachusetts, Missouri, Nebraska, and Washington. As of 2025, 40 states have medical marijuana programs, and 24 have legalized the…
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Only nine state supreme court justices have lost retention elections since 1990
In 38 states, a state supreme court justice has to run for re-election to their seat. Of those states, 20 use retention elections, where voters vote for or against a specific justice, as opposed to voting for multiple candidates. Ballotpedia has analyzed the results of retention elections going back to 1990. Historically, justices have won…
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State legislative session updates (next year's schedule)
As of Nov. 17, 38 state legislatures are scheduled to begin their 2026 legislative sessions in January, five are scheduled for February, one for March, and two are scheduled for April, according to the latest data from the 2026 MultiState Insider Resource. State governments across the country hold legislative sessions where elected representatives meet to…