Category: State
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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:…
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Federal judge strikes down part of New Hampshire's documentary proof of citizenship law
On May 28, a federal judge ruled that parts of a New Hampshire law requiring individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote were unconstitutional. U.S. District Court Judge Samantha Elliott's ruling did not invalidate the proof-of-citizenship requirement. Instead, it reinstated the option for people to register to vote by signing an…
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Iowa's 2026 legislative primaries feature the most contested incumbents since 2012
There are 100 incumbents running for re-election in the primaries for Iowa's state Legislature on June 2. Fifteen of those incumbents (15%) are contested, the most since 2012, when there were 16. There are a total of 125 seats up for election this year, including all 100 seats in the state House and 25 seats…
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The total number of New Mexico state representatives in contested primaries has increased for the fifth year in a row
New Mexico is holding elections for all 70 seats in its state House this year. New Mexico doesn’t hold state Senate elections during midterm election years. Here’s a look at how New Mexico’s 2026 state House elections compare to previous years. There are 64 incumbents running for re-election, of whom 13 (20.3%) are contested in…
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A new congressional map is blocked in Alabama, coming soon in Louisiana, and dead in South Carolina
New congressional maps are still possible in Alabama and Louisiana, while South Carolina will use its existing congressional map again this year. After new congressional maps took effect in Florida and Tennessee earlier this month, 2026 redistricting pursuits are a wrap in all but a few states. A panel of federal judges blocked Alabama's 2023…
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Nineteen states have conformed to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s No Tax on Tips deduction
Of the 41 states that levy a broad individual income tax on wages, 19 conformed their tax codes to adopt the No Tax on Tips deduction created by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) enacted on July 4, 2025. Twenty-one states have declined to adopt the deduction. Georgia has partially conformed to it. The…
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Georgia enacts law restricting judicial deference and requiring economic analyses for new regulations
On May 12, 2026, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) signed HB 1247 into law. The bill, which supporters call the Georgia Bureaucratic Deference Elimination Act, requires Georgia agencies to submit economic impact analyses of their rules to the legislature, and restricts the practice of judicial deference by state courts. The portion of the bill that…