Category: State
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Mikie Sherrill to become first New Jersey governor in 20 years to live in the state's official governor's residence
On April 3, Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) announced she would be moving into Drumthwacket, the official residence of the governor of New Jersey. Sherrill will be only the third governor to live in the mansion since it was built in 1981. Only Governors James Florio (D-N.J.), who left office in 1994, and Jim McGreevey (D-N.J.),…
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Maine voters to decide sports eligibility initiative based on sex on birth certificates after legislature adjourns without a vote
The Maine State Legislature adjourned on April 14, 2026, without a vote on the initiated measure that would require that public school sports teams designated for girls or boys be limited to students of the corresponding sex. Mainers will vote on the initiative on Nov. 3, 2026. Effect of the measure Under the measure, public…
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Virginia Gov. Spanberger signs bill to rejoin ERIC
On April 13, Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) signed legislation requiring the state to rejoin the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC). Virginia was previously an ERIC member but withdrew from the organization in 2023, under former Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Senate Bill 57 requires the state commissioner of elections to apply to rejoin ERIC and…
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Idaho governor signs Medicaid work requirements bill requiring three months of compliance before enrollment
On April 10, 2026, Idaho Gov. Brad Little (R) signed House Bill 913 establishing Medicaid work requirements in state law and requiring applicants to demonstrate three months of compliance with these requirements before enrolling. The bill incorporates federal Medicaid work requirements that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) and goes further by requiring compliance…
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Michigan officials face highest number of recall efforts in Q1 2026
Ballotpedia has tracked recall efforts against 57 officials in Michigan this year as of April 13, 2026, which was the most of any state and accounted for 30% of the 193 officials included in recall efforts. California had the second-most with 31 (16%), and Oregon ranked third with 30 (16%). Together, the three states accounted…
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Maryland State Legislature replaces an amendment related to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities with an updated version and sends changes to collective bargaining for state employees to voters in November
The Maryland State Legislature voted to refer two constitutional amendments to voters in November. The first amendment (Senate Bill 933) would repeal the amendment (House Bill 788) referred to the ballot during the 2025 legislative session. Both amendments were designed to allow the chair of the Commission on Judicial Disabilities to appoint former members to…
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Kansas and Wisconsin governors veto bills opting their states into federal school choice tax credit program
The Democratic governors of Kansas and Wisconsin both vetoed bills opting their states into the federal school choice tax credit scholarship program. They became the fourth and fifth Democratic governors to veto bills opting in to the program. At least 27 states have officially opted into the program, 23 of which have a Republican trifecta.…
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Maine Supreme Court says bill expanding ranked-choice voting is unconstitutional
On April 6, the Maine Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a bill expanding ranked-choice voting (RCV) to general elections for governor and the state Legislature would violate the state’s constitution. Maine currently uses RCV in elections for Congress and president, as well as presidential primaries and primaries for governor and the state legislature. In 2016,…
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Utah enacts proof-of-citizenship bill, 13 other election-related bills during 2026 session
The Utah Legislature adjourned its 2026 general session on March 6. During the session, lawmakers sent 14 election-related bills to Gov. Spencer Cox (R), who signed each one during the month of March. Among those bills was HB 209, which requires individuals to provide documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote in state and…
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Alabama enacts bill ending state judicial deference, Georgia Legislature passes similar bill
On March 31, 2026, Alabama GovernorKay Ivey (R) signed SB 167, ending judicial deference practices in state courts. Judicial deference is a practice by courts by which they adopt an agency’s reading of an ambiguous statute, regulation, or other document in cases involving that agency. SB 167 removes language in the state Administrative Procedure Act…