Daily Brew: February 2, 2026
Welcome to the Monday, Feb. 2, Brew.
By: Briana Ryan
Here’s what’s in store for you as you start your day:
- At least 10 states could change their ballot drop box laws in 2026 — here's a look at drop box policies across the U.S.
- Fifteen members of the U.S. House are running for the U.S. Senate in 2026
- A comprehensive look at 165 years of ballot measures in Nebraska
At least 10 states could change their ballot drop box laws in 2026 — here's a look at drop box policies across the U.S.
Wyoming and Alaska lawmakers are among those considering legislation related to ballot drop boxes in 2026. Drop boxes are receptacles where voters can deposit their sealed absentee/mail-in ballots without using a mail service.
On Dec. 18, Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray (R) said he would urge legislators to enact a law banning ballot drop boxes in the state.
In August, the Wyoming Legislature's Joint Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee voted to sponsor legislation prohibiting drop boxes, meaning the proposal will likely be reviewed when the state's annual legislative session convenes in February. The state House of Representatives approved a similar bill last year, but it died in the state Senate.
In Alaska, the state Senate voted in May 2025 to approve SB 64, which would require drop boxes at each regional office of the Alaska Division of Elections. The state House Finance Committee held a hearing on the bill on Jan. 29.
In total, legislators in 10 states have introduced or carried over 20 bills related to drop box availability and security in 2026.
States have varying policies on drop boxes. Fifteen states require drop boxes, 14 permit drop boxes but do not require them, 11 prohibit drop boxes, and 10 do not mention drop boxes in their statutes.
Eight of the 10 states — including Wyoming and Alaska — that do not mention drop boxes in state law have at least some jurisdictions that use them. The other two do not.
Some states require drop boxes to have certain security features. These requirements can include video or human monitoring, bolting drop boxes to the ground, or drop boxes designed to suppress fires. Twenty-six states require security measures for ballot drop boxes, while three states have none.
Drop boxes can be located inside or near different places, such as government buildings, polling places, and early voting sites. Thirteen states require local governments to establish a minimum number of drop boxes, while two states place limits on the total number of drop boxes. One state, Georgia, has both a minimum number of drop boxes and a limit. Thirteen states allow or require drop boxes, but have no restrictions on their number.
In 2025, Maryland and Utah enacted bills related to the availability or security of drop boxes. Maryland HB 75 changed state law to explicitly permit voters to return mail ballots via a drop box for special elections conducted by mail. Utah HB 1004 established requirements for who can access video monitoring of drop boxes and specified how long election officials must preserve drop box videos.
In 2024, four states enacted five laws regarding drop boxes, while in 2023, 10 states enacted 11 drop box-related laws.
Click here to read more about each state's law on drop boxes.
Fifteen members of the U.S. House are running for the U.S. Senate in 2026
On Jan. 20, Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) announced that she will run for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana this year, joining 14 other members of the U.S. House of Representatives who have also announced a 2026 U.S. Senate campaign.
The fourteen other members are Reps. Harriet Hageman (R-Wyo.), Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), Seth Moulton (D-Mass.), Wesley Hunt (R-Texas), Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), Barry Moore (R-Ala.), Mike Collins (R-Ga.), Earl "Buddy" Carter (R-Ga.), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.), Andy Barr (R-Ky.), Haley Stevens (D-Mich.), and Chris Pappas (D-N.H.).
The 15 U.S. House members retiring to run for the U.S. Senate this year are the most to do so since at least 2012.
So far, two upcoming U.S. Senate primaries have more than one U.S. House member running.
In Illinois, Kelly and Krishnamoorthi are competing in the Democratic primary on March 17. Eight other Democratic candidates — who are not members of the U.S. House — are also running for the seat. Incumbent Sen. Dick Durbin (D) is one of nine incumbent U.S. senators e who are not running for re-election. As of Jan. 27, three independent race forecasters have rated the general election for the seat as a Safe or Solid Democratic.
In Georgia, Carter and Collins are competing in the Republican primary on May 19. Seven other Republican candidates — who are not members of the U.S. House — are also running for the seat. Incumbent Sen. Jon Ossoff (D) is running for re-election. As of Jan. 27, three independent race forecasters have rated the general election for the seat as a Toss-up.
In Texas, two U.S. House members are also running in opposite primaries on March 3 for the U.S. Senate seat. Crockett is running in the Democratic primary, and Hunt is running in the Republican primary. Two other Democratic candidates and seven other Republican candidates are also running for the seat. Incumbent Sen. John Cornyn (R) is running for re-election. As of Jan. 27, three independent race forecasters have rated the general election for the seat as a Likely Republican.
Including special elections, there are 35 U.S. Senate seats — 13 Democratic-held and 22 Republican-held — up for election this year. In the 2024 presidential election, President Donald Trump (R) won 22 of the states holding U.S. Senate elections this year, and Kamala Harris (D) won 11.
Additionally, the two states that use the congressional district method in presidential elections are also holding U.S. Senate elections this year. In Maine, Harris won three electoral votes, and Trump won one. In Nebraska, Trump won four electoral votes, and Harris won one.
Click here for more information about the U.S. House incumbents who are not running for re-election this year.
A comprehensive look at 165 years of ballot measures in Nebraska
Ballotpedia's Historical Ballot Measure Factbook will document nearly 200 years of direct democracy in the United States. This ongoing research effort will provide an unparalleled resource for researchers, reporters, and the public on how ballot measures have evolved, the issues they have covered, and their role in our civic life.
Today, let's look at historical ballot measures in Nebraska. Our comprehensive inventory spans from 1860 to 2025. During that time, Nebraska voters decided on 424 measures, approving 266 and defeating 158 — a 63% approval rate.
Nebraska has the ninth-highest approval rate of the 18 states for which we have completed Factbooks. Connecticut has the highest, at 91%, and South Dakota has the lowest, at 44%.
Nebraska ballot measures have addressed 122 unique topics. The most common topics are related to salaries of government officials (30 measures), state legislative processes and sessions (29 measures), administrative organization (28 measures), state legislative authority (25 measures), and property taxes (25 measures).
Here is a selection of important and interesting ballot measures in Nebraska:
- In 1912, Nebraska became the 16th state to approve a constitutional amendment establishing an initiative and referendum process. Voters approved it 93% to 7%.
- Nebraska voters defeated three amendments seeking to grant women's suffrage in 1871, 1882, and 1914. Voters approved it in 1920 — one month after the ratification of the 19th Amendment — 81% to 19%.
- In 2000, Nebraska voters decided on a measure to adopt term limits for state legislators. Voters approved it 56% to 44%. As a result of the measure, legislators cannot run for office in the Legislature for four years after serving two consecutive terms (eight years). In 2012, Nebraska voters defeated a measure 65% to 35% that would have increased it to three terms (12 years).
Click here to view our full Historical Ballot Measure Factbook for Nebraska.
