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The down-ballot races that could shape Minnesota politics for years to come
Plus: Republican Senate hopeful pushes back on criticism over self-funding.
Portland ballot measure for more public say in city budget clears hurdle
Portlanders rallying to infuse the city’s budget process with more public input are a step closer to getting their proposal on the November ballot.
Inside California Politics: Will ballot measures drive turnout in November?
A month past the primary, election season has hit a lull before campaigns reach full swing in the fall. On Inside California Politics this week, host Nikki Laurenzo sat down with two political insiders to discuss various candidates and campaigns: Republican strategist Rob Stutzman and Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta.
Inside California Politics: Will ballot measures drive turnout in November?
(Inside California Politics) — A month past the primary, election season has hit a lull before campaigns reach full swing in the fall. On Inside California Politics this week, host Nikki Laurenzo s…
‘Who Should I Vote for?’ Voters Turn to A.I. Before Casting Their Ballots
It takes effort to be an informed citizen. Artificial intelligence tools offer an alluring shortcut — but they’re not without risk.
AI is already reshaping US politics at every level
Artificial intelligence is barging into the workplace and transforming the battlefield. Now, it’s coming to the ballot box, promising to rewrite the DNA of politics. Driven by a flood of
Pro-ballot initiative group submits 108,837 signatures
Backers of a proposed Arkansas constitutional amendment that would make citizen-proposed laws and constitutional amendments a fundamental right submitted 108,837 petition signatures Friday (July 3), the deadline for turning in...
Maine group revives push for universal health care ballot initiative
Advocates are hoping to gather enough signatures to get a question about publicly funded health care on the November 2027 ballot.
Hochul joins calls for USPS to drop plan tied to Trump’s election order
The order in question seeks to create a federal list of eligible voters and potentially limit who can receive a ballot in the mail.
Democratic governors press US Postal Service to drop plan tied to Trump's election order
A group of Democratic governors is asking the U.S. Postal Service to withdraw its proposed rule to comply with an executive order that seeks to create a federal list of eligible voters, including those eligible to receive a ballot by mail
Goal of higher voter turnout remains elusive in California
Counties are required to complete their counting by Thursday
Facing setbacks and resistance, Trump presses bid to reshape elections on multiple fronts
President Trump has spent months waging an unusually aggressive campaign to reshape how states run elections.
Wisconsin Senator demands investigation into Postal Service
Sen. Tammy Baldwin said hundreds of votes were not counted in the state’s April election because ballots were delivered after the deadline.
Backers of online sports betting in Nebraska submit signatures to get on 2026 ballot
The question of whether online sports betting should be legal in Nebraska will likely come before voters this November.
Goal of higher voter turnout remains elusive in California
Counties are required to complete their counting by Thursday
How democratic socialist Melat Kiros stunned Colorado politics with congressional primary win
The Denver Democratic Socialists of America has now notched by far its biggest electoral victory to date, after years of downballot wins.
Goal of higher voter turnout remains elusive in California as changes have extended ballot counting
California has enacted many changes over the years that were intended to boost voter turnout
Federal judge blocks Postal Service from carrying out Trump mail-in ballot order
A federal judge blocked the U.S. Postal Service from implementing President Donald Trump's executive order on mail-in ballots nationwide, citing a 2020 agreement.
Bonus 236: A Term of Self-Inflicted Wounds
Within minutes of the Supreme Court handing down the birthright citizenship ruling on Tuesday and rising for its summer recess, its defenders were pointing to that decision (alongside the late-arriving mail-in ballots ruling on Monday and the tariffs ruling from February) as decisive proof that the Court really is “above politics,” and that criticisms of the justices for behaving more like politicians in robes than like judges are thus unfair. For a particularly thoughtful version of this claim, see Professor Will Baude’s opening response to the latest New York Times written roundtable about the Court with Baude, Professor Kate Shaw, and me. In that roundtable, I already offered one of the two major arguments against this thesis—that it’s an assessment of the numerator without regard to the denominator, and that a full account of the Court’s behavior throughout OT2025 suggests that the Court behaved even more politically during the current term than during even the previous (highly politicized) one. Just to take one of many data points, last term (OT2024), there were six rulings in argued cases in which all six Republican-appointed justices were in the majority and all three of the Democratic appointees were in dissent (along with a slew of such rulings on the emergency docket). This term, there were … 13. (Along with two 6-3 summary reversals and 10 rulings on the emergency docket from which the three Democratic appointees all dissented.) Today’s bonus issue addresses the flip side of that coin. In particular, below the fold, I identify four different moments in which the justices could have acted in ways to specifically defuse charges of political behavior—and opted instead to lean all the way in. As much as end-of-term narratives focus on what the Court did, and on the takeaways from individual rulings, consider today’s post an attempt to identify opportunities that the Court missed, as well. At least in the examples discussed below, by opting for the outcome that made the Court look more transparently political, the Court inflicted a series of (unnecessary) credibility wounds on itself. For those who aren’t paid subscribers, we’ll be back Monday with our regular coverage of the Court. For those who are, please read on.
Backers of online sports betting in Nebraska submit signatures to get on 2026 ballot
The question of whether online sports betting should be legal in Nebraska will likely come before voters this November.
Kalamazoo residents submit signatures to put Healthcare Action Plan on November ballot
Kalamazoo residents submitted enough signatures to the Kalamazoo City Clerk Wednesday morning to put an initiative on the November ballot for a local healthcare
Party fever: Another political party is gathering signatures to get on Nebraska's ballot
A party that wants to put Americans and Nebraskans first is collecting signatures to secure a ballot line ahead of the November election. A similar effort is underway to establish a Nebraska Working People Party. Both efforts have a July 15 deadline to get enough signatures.
5 takeaways from Colorado’s shocker of a 2026 primary election
Voters in Colorado’s Democratic primary on Tuesday night mostly let their elected officials know that they’re fed up with the party’s Washington politicians and ready to back the most aggressive fighters they can find. At the same time, the voters who cast ballots in the Republican primary mostly embraced the GOP’s establishment, throwing the beleaguered […]
Phil Weiser leads Michael Bennet in early returns in Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary
Attorney General Phil Weiser took an early lead over U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet in Colorado’s Democratic gubernatorial primary as election officials posted initial returns soon after polls closed Tuesday night. In the first round of results, Weiser had secured 60% of the vote to Bennet’s 40%, with just over 200,000 total ballots counted statewide. The […]
Politics: High Cost Of Healthcare And The Political Fallout
Americans are grappling with a rising cost in healthcare. For the first time in five years, fewer than half of Americans can consistently afford healthcare. That’s according to the latest data from Gallup. The cost of healthcare in the US remains higher than any other large, wealthy country. According to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services, five million fewer people are enrolled in marketplace plans for 2026, compared to last year. That’s as average premium costs rose about 58%.With health care costs increasingly becoming a stress for Americans, voters are now making the issue a top priority at the ballot box. And it’s an issue that crosses party and geographic lines. According to new polling from The Century Foundation, 71% of Democrats, 66% of Republicans and 75% of rural voters agree that reigning in hospital costs should be a top priority for lawmakers. While new polling from Ipsos and Axios suggests that a majority of Americans say they’re more likely to vote for candidates in November who will lower their health costs.How will the issue of healthcare shape the midterms? And how are Americans grappling with the cost of their health?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Politics: High Cost Of Healthcare And The Political Fallout
Americans are grappling with a rising cost in healthcare. For the first time in five years, fewer than half of Americans can consistently afford healthcare. That’s according to the latest data from Gallup. The cost of healthcare in the US remains higher than any other large, wealthy country. According to a report from the Department of Health and Human Services, five million fewer people are enrolled in marketplace plans for 2026, compared to last year. That’s as average premium costs rose about 58%.With health care costs increasingly becoming a stress for Americans, voters are now making the issue a top priority at the ballot box. And it’s an issue that crosses party and geographic lines. According to new polling from The Century Foundation, 71% of Democrats, 66% of Republicans and 75% of rural voters agree that reigning in hospital costs should be a top priority for lawmakers. While new polling from Ipsos and Axios suggests that a majority of Americans say they’re more likely to vote for candidates in November who will lower their health costs.How will the issue of healthcare shape the midterms? And how are Americans grappling with the cost of their health?Find more of our programs online. Listen to 1A sponsor-free by signing up for 1A+ at plus.npr.org/the1a.
Two Dan Sullivans will be on the ballot in Alaska
The incumbent senator accuses his challenger of being a Democratic plant set up to confuse primary voters, but fellow Republican Dan J. Sullivan has said his desire to run is genuine.
Maine high court to hear appeal ballot initiative case
Oral arguments are set for 10 a.m. Wednesday at the Capital Judicial Center in Augusta.
US Sen. Dan Sullivan’s same-name challenger can be on primary ballot, Alaska Supreme Court rules
The Alaska Supreme Court on Monday ruled that a man with the same name and party affiliation as Alaska Republican US Sen. Dan Sullivan is qualified to run for the seat and ordered elections officials to place him on the August primary ballot.
Colorado court rejects November ballot initiatives aimed at redrawing congressional districts
Colorado voters won’t get to decide this November on whether to change the state’s congressional districts to favor Democrats
$12B science bond to offset Trump research cuts misses California ballot deadline
University of California leaders and scientists had supported the bill, which they called critical to securing the future of science in the state.
The Supreme Court handed Trump an election case defeat. Is a bigger win for him coming?
The Supreme Court’s ruling letting more than a dozen states keep their post-election grace periods for mail ballots is a defeat for President Donald Trump and Republicans ahead of the midterms, but the GOP can still capture significant victories in major election-related cases coming farther down the pipeline.
Trump unloads after Supreme Court upholds late mail-in ballots in Mississippi
Trump slams Supreme Court ruling allowing late mail-in ballots, demands Congress pass the SAVE Act requiring voter ID and proof of citizenship.
A new political party could be coming to Nebraska; state Democratic Party officials call foul
The sponsor behind the push for the new party is Robin Richards, according to paperwork obtained through the Secretary of State's office.
Alito blasts latest SCOTUS ballot ruling as invitation to ‘voter fraud’ risks
Justice Samuel Alito warns that counting late-arriving mail-in ballots could severely undermine Americans' confidence in election integrity.
Supreme Court ruling gives a reprieve to states with grace periods for receiving mail ballots
Election officials in states that allow mail ballots to be counted after Election Day say they are relieved that the U.S. Supreme Court has rejected an effort to outlaw the practice
How Mississippi reacted to the Supreme Court mail-in ballot ruling
In a rare move out of lockstep with President Trump, the U.S. Supreme Court backed Mississippi's law counting mail-in ballots after Election Day.
Republicans call for Senate to pass SAVE America Act after mail ballot ruling
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted shortly afterward
Republicans call for Senate to pass SAVE America Act after mail ballot ruling
The Supreme Court on Monday ruled ballots postmarked by Election Day can be counted shortly afterward
Conservatives revolt after Trump-appointed Barrett joins liberals in ‘shockingly wrong’ mail ballot ruling
Amy Coney Barrett faces conservative backlash after authoring the 5-4 Supreme Court ruling allowing mail-in ballots received after Election Day.
Colorado Supreme Court: Redistricting plans for 2028 election cannot proceed under state constitution
The Colorado Supreme Court blocked all attempts at redrawing congressional district boundaries for the 2028 election from reaching the ballot on Monday, concluding each of the proposed ballot measures violated the constitutional single-subject requirement. The court considered five distinct, but related, ballot measures. Three proposals would have redrawn U.S. House of Representatives districts to give […]
New York AG lauds Supreme Court's mail-in ballot ruling
Letitia James released a statement shortly after the court's 5-4 ruling, which stemmed from a challenge brought by the Republican National Committee.
New York AG lauds Supreme Court's mail-in ballot ruling
Letitia James released a statement shortly after the court's 5-4 ruling, which stemmed from a challenge brought by the Republican National Committee.
Supreme Court rules states can count late-arriving mailed ballots, rejecting Trump-led challenge
The decision rejected a Republican-led attack on laws in more than half the states and the District of Columbia that permit mailed ballots to arrive and be counted some number of days after the election, provided they are postmarked by Election Day.
Supreme Court rules mail-in ballots arriving after Election Day can be counted
A decision against such ballots could have upended election procedures in states across the country ahead of the midterm elections.
A brief history of same-named political candidates, election hijinks and Dan Sullivans in Alaska
The kerfuffle surrounding the Alaska Senate race isn’t the first time two Dan Sullivan candidates have wound up on the same ballot.
The questions you'll see on the California ballot in November
California's Secretary of State has certified the questions Californians will see on the ballot in November.
California Politics 360 full episode | What to expect on California's November ballot
KCRA 3 Political Director Ashley Zavala leads conversations on California's November ballot questions, including the proposed billionaire tax.
Man with same name as U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible for Alaska's primary ballot, judge rules
The judge ruled that the division’s decision to exclude Dan J. Sullivan because his candidacy was not “in good faith” was not based on the Constitution, Alaska law or the division’s own regulations.
GOP candidate with same name as senator can stay on Alaska ballot, judge rules
Supporters of incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan say a challenger with the same name is not running in “good faith,” but a judge says that is not an issue.
Man with same name as US Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible for Alaska’s primary ballot, judge rules
Man with same name as US Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible for Alaska’s primary ballot, judge rules
Man with same name as US Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible for Alaska's primary ballot, judge rules
An Alaska judge has ruled that a man with the same name and party affiliation as Alaska Republican U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan is eligible to challenge the senator in the August primary
Politics Unplugged Podcast: Headlines with Stacy Pearson and Marcus Dell’Artino
The Politics Unplugged panel breaks down a possible Arizona special session tied to ESA vouchers, union protections and ballot measures. The discussion centers on whether lawmakers could unwind late-night legislation that angered teachers, police and firefighters. They also examine Gov. Katie Hobbs’ political leverage and why both parties may have reasons to cut a deal. Later, the podcast turns to Trump tax cuts, Democratic Socialists, the White House reflecting pool controversy and the World Cup.
California is in for a summer of wild billionaire spending
OPINION: With competing tax measures on the ballot, California billionaires will be spending like... billionaires, political columnist Joe Garofoli writes.
Newsom urges a national 'billionaires' tax' while fighting one in California
The governor announced his agenda a day after an influential health care union in California pledged to go forward with a ballot measure that would impose a one-time 5% tax on the assets of billionaires living in the state as of Jan. 1, 2026. Newsom opposes that measure.
California unions, hospitals strike deal — but billionaire tax heads to ballot
Two healthcare ballot measures are gone. One very contentious wealth tax isn't.
Billionaire tax, affordable housing: See the measures on California's November ballot
California voters will decide on 14 statewide policy proposals come November, from the controversial billionaire tax to an $11 billion affordable housing bond.
California’s Billionaire Tax Kicks Off a Democratic Civil War
The divisive proposal heads to the ballot after attempts to reach a compromise deal failed.
Controversial billionaire tax will appear on November ballot
Proponents of a controversial billionaire tax pledge to making sure it appears on the November ballot to backfill federal healthcare funds.
Following IAM Union Advocacy, Kansas PERB Orders Count of Timely Cast Ballots in KU Health System Pharmacy Technician Union Election
KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Following weeks of advocacy from the IAM Union, Pharmacy Technicians, elected officials and community supporters, the Kansas Public Employee Relations Board (PERB) has ruled that 37 previously uncounted ballots will be included in the final tally of the recent union representation election involving Pharmacy Technicians at the University of Kansas (KU)
South Dakota mayoral candidates separated by just two votes in shockingly close race, recount expected
The Sioux Falls mayoral runoff contest shockingly resulted in just a two-vote margin separating the candidates out of more than 36,000 ballots cast.
Federal court blocks Trump’s executive order limiting mail ballots
The ruling comes a month after another judge allowed Trump’s order to stand. The latest ruling sidelines major provisions of the order despite the earlier ruling.
WATCH: Under proposed rule, USPS won't deliver mail ballots to states that don't provide voter rolls, postmaster general says
Postmaster General David Steiner told a Senate committee Wednesday that, if a proposed rule is adopted, the U.S. Postal Service would withhold mail ballots from states that do not hand over to the federal government lists of people who have requested absentee or mail ballots.
Potential vote could change alcohol rules in Bardstown Road entertainment district
A political effort is underway that could put the liquor status of the Bardstown Road entertainment district on the ballot this fall, a move that could bring major changes to businesses in the area.
Tax audit measure qualifies for November ballot
The measure is scheduled to be certified for the ballot on June 25 unless it is withdrawn by its proponent before then
Road-funding initiative in Colorado qualifies for November ballot
A measure that would dedicate all transportation-related revenue to Colorado’s roads and bridges has officially qualified for the November ballot after it cleared the state’s signature threshold, according to election officials. Backed by the coalition Restore Our Roads, Initiative No. 175 would require that all transportation-related revenue be used exclusively for building and repairing roads […]
Road-funding initiative clears signature threshold, qualifies for November ballot
A measure that would dedicate all transportation-related revenue to Colorado’s roads and bridges has officially qualified for the November ballot after Initiative No. 175 cleared the state’s signature threshold, according to the Secretary of State’s Office. Backed by the coalition Restore Our Roads, Initiative 175 would require that all transportation-related revenue be used exclusively for […]
Data shows lower turnout in early voting compared to 2025
Only 5% of registered Democrats have cast ballots so far.
Sen. Dan Sullivan’s same-name challenger sues to stay on ballot
A man with the same name and party affiliation as Alaska Republican US Sen. Dan Sullivan on Monday challenged a decision by a top state elections official to disqualify his candidacy and remove him from the August primary ballot.
Approved ballot question would eliminate political party primaries for elections in Massachusetts
Massachusetts highest court approved a ballot question that would eliminate political party primaries for state elections.
Jewish voters express growing isolation amid rising antisemitism in both major political parties
Faced with anti-Israel and even anti-Jewish sentiment by party activists, and by an increasing number of political candidates, many Jewish voters are facing uncomfortable choices as they cast their ballots this year.
Jewish voters express growing isolation amid rising antisemitism in both major political parties
Faced with anti-Israel and even anti-Jewish sentiment by party activists, and by an increasing number of political candidates, many Jewish voters are facing uncomfortable choices as they cast their ballots this year.
Raising the minimum wage has been a big political winner. Now it's running into resistance
Raising the minimum wage has been a progressive policy winner at the ballot box, but recent losses suggest an economic mood slowing its political momentum.
The Market’s AI Fanfare Is Running Into a Harsh Political Reality
Anthropic’s hopes for a blockbuster IPO could depend as much on the ballot box as on investors.
Community's Choice Awards: Vote for the best Tallahassee businesses
Voting is open for the Tallahassee Community's Choice Awards. Cast your ballot for local favorites by June 30.
Does low primary voter turnout indicate low general election turnout?
Election officials and poll workers across the Empire State are preparing for Tuesday for whoever wants to cast their ballot.
A new era for D.C. politics
With D.C. Councilmember Janeese Lewis George capturing the nomination for mayor, and a host of other progressive candidates winning races down the ballot, the city's government is set for some of the biggest changes in the last two decades.
Battle ramps up over WA ballot measure to bar transgender students from girls’ sports
Opponents of conservative-backed initiatives officially launched their campaign to defeat the Washington ballot measures this week.
Ask the expert: Michigan’s 16-year constitutional convention ballot vote
MSU Professor Quinn Yeargain explains how every 16 years, Michigan's constitution requires that voters decide if the state should hold a constitutional convention.
Video: A Small Election Could Change British Politics
Voters in the northern English district of Makerfield cast ballots on Thursday to choose their representative in Parliament, the outcome of which could lead to Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s ouster.
In politics: Hoyer votes a Hoyer-free ballot, Percy convicted, Schmoke steps down
Rep. Steny Hoyer votes for a congressional candidate not named Steny Hoyer, one-time Annapolis lobbyist Davion Percy convicted in federal court, and Kurt Schmoke sets a retirement date from the University of Baltimore, in political notes.
It’s official: California voters will weigh a one-time billionaire tax
The measure’s spot on the ballot ensures a brutal and expensive campaign that will coincide with voters’ deciding control of Congress and the governorship.
Hoy, business leaders pull out of effort to make it easier to sweep homeless encampments
A statewide petition led by Salem Mayor Julie Hoy sought to repeal a state law that requires cities and counties to be “objectively reasonable as to time, place and manner,” when clearing a homeless encampment from a public place. After state officials required the petition’s backers to change the ballot's title and description, they dropped the effort. To comment on this story, use the form at the end of the report.
Deep-red state wrapped race calls before DC started counting, despite same poll deadline
Alabama called races within an hour of polls closing while D.C. officials didn't begin counting ballots until nearly three hours later Tuesday.
Proposed USPS rule could restrict vote by mail
Nearly 30% of all votes cast in the 2024 presidential election were by mail. But voting by mail could be severely restricted if a new rule proposed by the U.S. Postal Service is adopted
Live Results: California special primary election to replace Eric Swalwell
For several of these candidates, it’s the second time in two weeks that they have appeared on a ballot for this U.S. House seat.
KU Health System Pharmacy Technicians Hold Rally to Demand Every Union Election Vote Be Counted
KU Health System has not yet agreed that all timely postmarked ballots in closely contested union elections be counted. KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Pharmacy Technicians at The University of Kansas (KU) Health System held a rally to demand that every timely cast ballot be counted in their union election and to call attention to the
Washington, DC, voters cast ballots in crucial primaries as Trump reshapes the capital
Voters in Washington, D.C. are heading to the polls to select party candidates for mayor and congressional delegate
More than 52K cast ballots in first 2 days of early voting in N.Y. primaries
Typically during the primary election season, especially in non-presidential years, voter turnout is low.
Senate candidate with same name as incumbent Dan Sullivan ineligible for ballot, official rules
A top Alaska election official has ruled that a U.S. Senate candidate with the same name and party affiliation as Republican incumbent Dan Sullivan is ineligible to appear on the state’s primary ballot in August.
Colorado Attorney General Democratic primary: Meet the candidates
One of the most closely watched contests on the June primary ballot is the four‑way Democratic race for Colorado attorney general. With Attorney General Phil Weiser term‑limited and running for governor, attention has shifted to the candidates vying to replace him and the qualifications they bring to the state’s top legal office. Running for attorney […]
Georgia's vote-counting method will soon be banned. Lawmakers will try to find a fix this week
Legislators passed a law two years ago barring the use of the QR code printed on ballots that the state relies on to tally votes beyond July 1 of this year, but no replacement method was ever implemented.
Voters cast first ballots in primary season as early voting begins
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Activists want vote to lock taxes for housing
Ballot measure would counter mayor, supervisor's plan.
Massachusetts Ties Business Tax Breaks to Ballot Initiative
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) signed a budget bill Friday that ties five business deductions to maintaining the state’s 5% personal income tax rate, putting fresh pressure on a proposed ballot measure that could lower the rate to 4%.
Ranked choice vote count underway in Augusta
It’s just the beginning of a days-long process to double check election results before the information is run through a ranked choice tabulation.
Maine counts ranked choice ballots to determine nominees for governor and a US House race
Maine has begun counting ranked choice ballots on Friday to determine nominees for its open governor’s office and a pivotal U.S. House of Representatives race
Postal Service Issues Proposal to Block Mail Ballots in States That Don’t Turn Over Data
Democrats and voting-rights groups have challenged the proposed rule as a harmful federal intrusion that could affect millions of voters who cast their ballots by mail.
Roundup: BREC millage / New gas pipeline / Screwworm in pets
Partnership backing: The Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership supports renewing BREC’s parks and recreation millage on the June 27 ballot, saying parks and trails are key to quality of life and economic growth. Leaders say the renewal will help maintain a valuable community asset while BREC undergoes a leadership transition. They emphasize the importance of […]