Category: State
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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…
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Texas, Nebraska, Iowa, West Virginia sue ISS over ESG disclosures
Four Republican state attorneys general filed lawsuits on May 20, 2026, against Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS), accusing the proxy advisory firm of violating state consumer protection laws by failing to disclose that its voting recommendations prioritize environmental, social, and governance (ESG) policies over clients' financial interests. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), Nebraska Attorney General…
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Tennessee enacts bill changing voter restoration requirements for individuals convicted of a felony, 10 other election bills in 2026 regular session
The Tennessee General Assembly adjourned its regular legislative session on April 23 after sending 11 election-related bills to Gov. Bill Lee (R), who signed the final ones on May 22. Among those bills was SB 336, which removes the requirements for individuals convicted of a felony to have paid all court costs and be current…
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State supreme court vacancy count for May 2026
In this month's state supreme court vacancy update, Ballotpedia tracked announced retirements, nominations, appointments, confirmations, and the swearing-in of justices from May 1 to May 31, 2026. Ballotpedia tracks court vacancies in all 52 state supreme courts. Justices sworn into office: During May 2026, one justice was sworn into a state supreme court. Candidates nominated:…