from States Newsroom
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By Robin Opsahl |
Less than three months remain before the Nov. 3, 2026 election, but President Donald Trump and Democratic officials are still sparring on the laws and rules on voting.
The Trump administration on Wednesday renewed its request to the U.S. Supreme Court to quickly decide a case over an executive order restricting voting, a day after a Massachusetts federal judge expanded an injunction on the order nationwide.
TOP IMPACT
The South Carolina delegation's sign is seen as former President Barack Obama speaks at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 2024. (Photo by Shaun Griswold / Source New Mexico)
By Sam Gauntt | News from the States
The Democratic National Committee on Saturday approved by voice vote its lineup of six early primaries for the 2028 election cycle, kicking off with South Carolina and Nevada.
Throughout the meeting, speakers and party officials from each of the six states to hold an early contest praised the impact the calendar will have for regions that haven’t always been top of mind for national candidates. DNC Chair Ken Martin said the early lineup reflects the diversity of the party’s electorate.
Georgia residents line up to vote in 2024. State Democratic officials nationwide are bracing for potential federal interference during November’s midterm elections. (Photo by Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
By Kevin Hardy | Stateline
State Democratic officials are preparing for chaos at the polls this November, as President Donald Trump casts doubt on election security and pushes for more federal involvement in local voting.
Democratic state officials are raising alarms over how Trump may seek to interfere with or challenge the results of November’s midterms. At stake is not only whether Republicans will maintain their grip on Congress, but also the control of state legislatures across the country. Democratic gains at either the state or national levels could provide a new check on Trump, who has sought to significantly expand executive power in his second term.
BIG PICTURE
Mural in downtown Springfield, Ohio. (Photo by Megan Henry/Ohio Capital Journal)
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, CONGRESS AND COURTS
OH: Some Haitians in Ohio are required to report to ICE offices and wear ankle monitors | Ohio Capital Journal
MN: Documents show how feds spied on protesters, left-wing organizations and unions during Metro Surge | Minnesota Reformer
TX: Migrant kids are being held in a South Texas detention center longer than a court order allows | Texas Tribune
USA: Legal groups ask court to restore block on Trump order on birthright citizenship | News from the States
KY: ACLU-KY: Data shows 300% increase in ICE detainer requests after Louisville policy change | Kentucky Lantern
ME: After nearly seven months in detention, Maine man granted permanent residency | Maine Morning Star
TN: Local officials in the dark about contract naming Adams as ICE call center site | Tennessee Lookout
MI: DHS account, court records raise questions about DNR role in ICE arrest | Michigan Advance
USA: Democrats push nearly 250 state bills opposing federal immigration efforts | Stateline
AZ: Military contractor aircraft surveil Arizona’s southern border for undisclosed mission | Arizona Mirror
USA: Trump vaccine order takes aim at states that limit exemptions | Stateline
CO: Ag secretary defends SNAP work requirements during Colorado visit | Colorado Newsline
USA: Federal agency blocks Medicaid coverage of kids’ gender-affirming care | Stateline
GA: Georgia officials say new federal Medicaid rules threaten state’s partial expansion program | Georgia Recorder
AR: Trump team’s use of arcane budget rule threatens Medicaid coverage | KFF Health News
FL: Judges grill DeSantis administration attorney over Medicaid termination letters | Florida Phoenix
IN: Lawmakers want transparency in Medicaid waiver denials | Indiana Capital Chronicle
TN: Report: 12 Tennessee rural hospitals at ‘immediate risk’ for closure | Tennessee Lookout
USA: DOJ targets 3 more states in effort to axe in-state tuition for immigrants | News from the States
USA: Congressional approval not needed for White House ballroom, Trump tells high court | News from the States
USA: Trump taken via catering truck to secret flight amid Iran threats, report says | News from the States
CAMPAIGNS, VOTING AND ELECTION LAW
MO: Missouri Supreme Court seeks swift action in redistricting ballot measure case | Missouri Independent
RI: Is 2026 the year of the crossover voter in Rhode Island? What the data says. | Rhode Island Current
FL: As voters cast ballots, advocates push to open the state’s closed primary system | Florida Phoenix
KS: Kansas Court of Appeals agrees with order forbidding cross-party nominations, fusion voting | Kansas Reflector
NC: North Carolina counties are dropping Sundays from early voting plans | NC Newsline
MI: Michigan Bureau of Elections waives fees, admits error led to Doug Lloyd’s late AG campaign filing | Michigan Advance
MT: Lawmakers sue AG, SOS over term limit decision | Daily Montanan
AK: Alaska judge confirms legislative candidate for primary despite blank financial disclosure form | Alaska Beacon
SD: Federal appeals court protects longer petitioning time for South Dakota ballot questions | South Dakota Searchlight
FL: Toned-down Amendment 3 ballot language ready for another judicial review | Florida Phoenix
SD: Q&A: Thune says Republicans can hold their majority — if they stop fighting each other | South Dakota Searchlight
AZ: In Arizona’s most competitive district, Trump’s policies collide with Ciscomani’s reelection bid | Arizona Mirror
FL: Jay Collins says GOP voters need to rally around him to stop Byron Donalds | Florida Phoenix
IA: Sen. Mark Kelly calls for Iowans to elect Democrats so Congress can investigate Trump ‘corruption’ | Iowa Capital Dispatch
KY: Kentucky Democrats look to midterm elections, governor’s race during annual statewide dinner | Kentucky Lantern
WA: For WA GOP, a tough primary delivers alarming results | Washington State Standard
AK: After Alaska’s ‘final four’ primary, a silent primary may decide who’s on the ballot in November | Alaska Beacon
NE: Lindstrom fails to qualify nonpartisan bid for Nebraska governor; many signatures flagged for fraud | Nebraska Examiner
IA: Democrat Rob Sand calls for civility in contentious Iowa governor race | Iowa Capital Dispatch
MD: Moore and Cox differ on data centers at Maryland conference | Maryland Matters
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