Elections and democracy

The 2026 race that’s testing Andy Beshear’s 2028 reach source

Latino leaders are frustrated that the Kentucky governor, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association, hasn't capitalized on momentum in Texas.

JD Vance faces test in White House meeting with Israel-backing radio host source

The meeting with New York-based Sid Rosenberg comes as Vance tries to court skeptical Jewish Republicans ahead of a likely 2028 run.

Democratic advisers are warning their candidates not to go too hard at AI source

Democratic consultants are warning their candidates in some key races not to lean into AI regulations out of fear that powerful tech groups could spend heavily against them.

Jamaica hails King’s decision to refer slavery reparations petition to privy council as ‘really big deal’ source

The move comes after Jamaica’s culture minister Olivia Grange travelled to the UK earlier this month to lodge the historic petitionKing Charles has referred a landmark slavery reparations petition from Jamaica to a high-level UK appeals court for legal advice, Jamaica’s culture minister announced in parliament on Tuesd

International watchdog calls for protection of journalists ahead of Serbia election source

An international media watchdog says that journalists in Serbia are increasingly under threat of violence and hostility ahead of a high-stakes early parliamentary election that will test populist President Aleksandar Vucic’s rule

Russia's parliamentary election result underscores public support for Kremlin policies, Putin says source

President Vladimir Putin says Russia’s first wartime parliamentary election, which further strengthened the Kremlin’s already-overwhelming legislative control, was a sign of public support for his policies

The NY governor race pollster scrum source

Erin Brockovich and Justin Pearson Urge Communities to Act Against Data Centers source

Ms. Brockovich, a longtime activist, and Mr. Pearson, a Tennessee state representative running for Congress, discussed why communities have begun to push back against the sites.

Trump Backtracks on Plan for New Controls on N.I.H. Grants source

Democrats and Republicans in Congress opposed the creation of a commission with the power to veto federal research awards.

Venezuela's Rodriguez promises elections in transition to 'full democracy' source

Interim Leader of Venezuela Promises Elections and ‘Orderly Legal Transition’ source

Delcy Rodríguez did not set a timeline for a vote in a speech at the United Nations.

Why India's Election Commission is in the eye of a storm - again source

India's polling monitor is facing yet another crisis of credibility with fresh allegations against its chief.

Party Close to King Leads in Morocco’s Election as Young Voters Stay Away source

Early results in legislative elections showed the lowest voter turnout in nearly two decades. Economic frustrations have grown as Morocco is set to co-host the 2030 soccer World Cup.

Britain would be run by a Rejoin coalition as Brexit pressure mounts, polls suggest source

CNN reporter arrives at White House after judge rules against Trump's media ban – video source

CNN senior reporter Betsy Klein gained access to the White House on 24 September, hours after a federal judge ruled against Donald Trump's media ban. The ban had barred reporters from CNN, MS Now and Politico from accessing the White HouseContinue reading...

Democratic lawmakers accuse Trump administration of interference in Brazilian elections source

Legislators sent letter to Marco Rubio saying US interference is weakening Brazil’s democratic institutionsUS politics live – latest updatesA group of 31 Democratic members of the US Congress has sent a letter to the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, criticising the Trump administration over “an apparent effort to inte

A Weary Hollywood Celebrates the Prospect of Federal Funding source

In response to an exodus of movie and TV production, a bill is being introduced in Congress that would use tax credits to subsidize filming in the United States.

'We want more guardrails,' Kalshi CEO says as calls grow for prediction market regulation source

As prediction markets continue to expand, they are drawing attention in Washington and states across the country. Companies like Kalshi and Polymarket allow people to trade contracts tied to the outcomes of real-world events, including elections. Liz Landers discussed the growing calls for more regulation with Kalshi C

Abbas pledges first Palestinian parliamentary vote in 20 years as doubts mount source

White House allows blocked reporters in after judge lifts Trump ban source

District Judge Tim Kelly said the three outlets should have their access immediately restored from the ban the president had announced on Sept. 18.

California sheriff ordered to return ballots he confiscated in voter ‘fraud’ inquiry source

Court says Chad Bianco’s conduct unlawful and seizure of ballots ‘creates substantial risk to election integrity’California Republican sheriff Chad Bianco must return more than 650,000 ballots his department confiscated earlier this year in an unprecedented move that violated election law, a state supreme court ruled o

2026 State Election is November 3 source

Mary Peltola’s campaign says reports of her using slurs and shoving staffer are exaggerated source

Alaska Democratic nominee in pivotal Senate race ‘struggled to deal with her grief’ after death of husband and mother, spokesperson saidMary Peltola’s campaign on Thursday downplayed a report that the Democratic nominee in Alaska’s pivotal Senate race shoved a staffer and used slurs, saying the article exaggerated her

Fifteen new members in Isle of Man general election source

California Supreme Court orders Riverside County sheriff to return 650,000 seized ballots source

Argentina’s poverty rises to 32 percent under Milei with more pain forecast source

A 4.1-percentage-point rise in poverty in the first half of 2026 could be bad news for Milei's re-election bid.

IIT Bombay student death: Youth Congress seeks arrest of director, professor; independent probe into student’s death source

Even if, for the sake of argument, we say that for 1% that he was cheating, we are not talking merely about cheating here.; a person has lost his life, said Indian Youth Congress national president Uday Bhanu Chib

Yet to assess impact of mines Act on Odisha, says Minister as legislators flag potential loss source

Recent amendments made by Parliament have curbed the power of State governments to impose taxes, cess, and other levies on mineral rights and mineral-bearing lands

Trump’s state dinner for Xi Jinping will not be televised as White House continues to deny CNN full access – as it happened source

This live blog is now closed.CNN and MS Now journalists denied access to White House state dinner despite court rulingSign up for US Breaking News emailsLawyers for the news outlets President Trump banned from the White House have requested an emergency hearing after several journalists were turned away from the buildi

Meloni government bans burqas, caps foreign students in Italian schools source

Italy is a front-line country for migration, with integration a hot campaign issue ahead of its 2027 election.

The murky world of political party finance source

The Election Commission of India should scrutinise political parties and political finance rather than legitimate voters

Three-way battle for power in world chess: Who will be elected FIDE president in Samarkand? source

The era of Russian presidents is coming to an end at the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Two Germans and one Kazakh are up for election. Among the issues at play are money, Kremlin influence, and unanswered questions.

CNN, MS NOW, Politico regain access to White House source

A federal judge has ordered President Trump to restore White House access to CNN, MS NOW and Politico after he banned the media outlets from the premises. Hours later, the media announced they had been granted access.

India news: Cockroach party demands Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation source

CJP's Abhijeet Dipke has alleged that the removal of more than 130 million names from draft electoral rolls is designed to benefit the BJP and weaken opposition parties. DW has more.

Germany's oldest party, the center-left SPD, is in a difficult position following its success in the Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania state election source

Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has vowed to press ahead with controversial reforms, but resistance is mounting within his coalition partner, the SPD. How much dissent can a governing coalition tolerate?

Young Berliners vote overwhelmingly for socialist Left Party source

Berlin's young voters overwhelmingly supported the victorious socialist Left Party. Are the young more radical? Or are the election results just a reflection of current German politics?

How will Germany's Merz respond after crushing state election results and losses to the far right? source

Germany's far-right AfD and the socialist Left Party gained ground in recent state elections, while the centrist parties lost support. The biggest loser is Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

ED raids sparks political uproar in Punjab source

The BJP is trying to fight elections through fear after failing to generate public enthusiasm at its rallies, said Punjab cabinet minister Hardeep Singh Mundian

Opposition to move fresh notice for CEC’s removal; INDIA bloc mulls joint action source

New petition likely in both Houses of Parliament even as an earlier Rajya Sabha notice against Gyanesh Kumar remains pending; TMC urges swift and united Opposition response

Trinamool symbol freeze row: Supreme Court asks EC adjudication timeline source

The EC had said that the interim order, passed under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968, would be in operation during the current byelections and will continue till the final determination of the dispute over the party

Rahul Gandhi a master of deception, allegations of vote theft lack evidence: BJP source

BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi asked whether there was any evidence that decisions by the Election Commission of India had not been taken unanimously