Stateline Stories

After Expanding Coverage, Health Care Pioneer Seeks to Tame Costs

The Affordable Care Act will extend health care coverage to almost everybody. Now states are moving on to the next frontier in health care reform: containing costs. Once again, Massachusetts is taking the lead by putting its health care industry on an annual budget and requiring all insurers and medical providers to make detailed price lists available to the public.

Tensions Rise Amid Demise of Utah-Nevada Water Pact

Will Las Vegas’ thirst spark a water war between Utah and Nevada?

Governors Promote Employment for People With Disabilities

A yearlong initiative at the National Governors Association examines the roles that states and businesses can play in finding jobs for people with disabilities.

States Struggle To Keep Online Schools Accountable

As concerns grow about performance in the booming online education sector, some states are working to define their oversight role.

State Lawmakers Push Crackdown on Cancer-Causing Radon

Legislation filed in Iowa and Nebraska, and a proposal taking shape in Utah aim to reduce people’s exposure to radon, which kills about 21,000 people each year, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Utah State of the State Address 2013

SALT LAKE CITY -- Feb. 1 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Gary Herbert's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Utah’s Health Insurance Exchange in Limbo

Utah’s attempt to preserve its health insurance exchange is testing the federal government’s flexibility on a key piece of the Affordable Care Act.

States Nervous About New Common Core School Standards

Concerns about local control have make implementation of the national education standards controversial in some states.

In the West, GOP Governors, Skeptical of Cap-and-Trade, Will Watch California

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.-- Stateline asked several Republican governors about the role of climate change in energy policy in the West, asking them to weigh in on California’s new experiment with large-scale carbon trading.

Courts Embrace Technology, Advocacy To Stay Afloat

Investing in technology has helped state courts to better weather the recession, according to a group of state chief justices, court administrators and legislators who met in Washington, D.C. on Thursday (November 15).

States Get More Time to Decide If They Will Run Their Own Health Insurance Exchanges

Only a few new states have opted to build and operate their own insurance exchanges. More are taking a wait and see approach.

Republicans Win Big in North Carolina Governor’s Race But Struggle Elsewhere

Despite heavy spending by outside groups in nearly a dozen races for governor, the partisan mix of Democrats and Republicans leading states appeared to change only slightly as a result of Tuesday’s elections.

Best of #StateReads: Special Interests, Politics Delay Changes After Sandusky Scandal

This week’s collection of #StateReads includes an examination at what derailed child advocacy improvements in Pennsylvania following the Jerry Sandusky scandal, an investigation into the 15 percent of homicides in Washington, D.C. that have gone unsolved and a look at a region in Utah that contains as much as 80 percent of the state’s homeless population.

Arizona Ballot Measure Challenges the Federal Government Over Public Lands

Most western states remain uncomfortable with federal stewardship of their land. A group of activists wants to rewrite the Arizona constitution to change the rules.

Provo Stars in Utah’s Economic Recovery

Utah’s recovery has been driven by construction projects and high-tech start-ups with Provo, Forbes’ top pick for business and career opportunities, a driving force.

Democrats Play Defense in Governors’ Races

The race for New Hampshire governor has the hallmarks of the biggest gubernatorial races this fall: heavy involvement from outside groups, a national contest stealing the spotlight and messages that echo themes from this year’s presidential campaigns.

Can Digital Recordings Save Money for Courts?

Faced with crippling budget shortfalls, state courts are replacing in-person stenographers with digital recording systems. But do they really save money?

Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001–2012

Private, independent credit rating agencies evaluate states’ financial health. States with the lowest grades typically have trouble keeping their spending in line with their tax revenues.

Will Utah Loosen Liquor License Quota?

It might be easier to get a cocktail or beer in Utah after the Legislature finishes its special session today (June 20). Lawmakers are expected to consider increasing the number of liquor licenses available statewide, an issue that has divided the GOP leadership there. Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert says a shortage

Delaware Gov Defends Common Core

A handful of states are reconsidering their pledges to adopt the common national standards in English and math, citing concerns about federal intrusion into the states. Supporters say that’s misguided.

Western States Wary of Federal Fracking Regs

Representatives from several Western states say draft federal rules on hydraulic fracturing on public lands would stymie natural gas development across states that largely depend on the industry for revenue.

States Move Slowly Toward Digital Textbooks

Despite enthusiasm for digital textbooks at the national level, states have been slow to get on board. But the movement is gaining strength.

States Scrutinize For-Profit Colleges

Rhode Island is considering whether to approve a for-profit osteopathic medical school, as Kentucky leads 22 other states in investigating the for-profit education industry.

Best of #StateReads: Changed Minds on the Death Penalty

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Labor Shortages Lead Businesses to Support Help for Undocumented Workers

Business groups, especially in agriculture, are pushing several state measures to aid immigrant laborers who are in the country illegally. But many of those efforts are treading on uncertain legal ground.

Herbert Reverses Course, Vetoes Abstinence Education Bill

EDUCATION BEAT: Proposed legislation would have banned sex education teachers from discussing any method of contraception other than abstinence.

Utah is Fifth State to Adopt 'Health Care Compact'

Utah has joined four other states in a compact aimed at wresting control of Medicare and Medicaid from the federal government. But the proposal would require congressional approval.

Citing Risks of Cancer, States Seek to Limit Teen Tanning

HEALTH BEAT: Concerned by research linking indoor tanning to skin cancer, legislators are trying to restrict teens use of tanning beds.

Water a Concern in Western Oil Shale Expansion

As the Obama Administration moves forward on a scaled-down plan to lease Western lands for oil shale development, some still worry about the industry’s impacts on water supplies.

Herbert Makes His Case as Foes on the Right Loom

TODAY'S TAKE: Facing opposition from fellow Republicans for another term, Utah Governor Gary Herbert used his state of the state address yesterday to celebrate Utah's economy and to attack the federal government.

Utah State of the State Address 2012

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Jan. 25 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Gary Herbert (R) 2012 state of the state address: Lt. Governor and Mrs. Bell; President Waddoups; Speaker Lockhart; members of the Utah Legislature; members of my Cabinet; Justices of the Utah Supreme Court; Utah's First Lady, my be

Utah Governor Fumes as Arizona Considers New Highway Tolls

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Arizona would like to make a toll road out of a remote 29-mile stretch of interstate highway between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. Utah Governor Gary Herbert has blasted the scheme.

As Four-Day Workweek Ends, Utah Opens on Fridays

The nation's most ambitious experiment with an alternative work schedule is over. While many public sector employers offer four-day schedules to some employees, Utah was the only state to try it for most of its workforce.

Utah Is No GOP Battleground After All, Poll Finds

TODAY'S TAKE: Utah is not nearly as divided as some political analysts claim when it comes to Republican presidential contenders Mitt Romney and Jon Huntsman Jr., according to a new poll.

Reducing California's Car Fleet a Tough Sell

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: California is well short of Governor Jerry Brown's goal of selling half the state's fleet of cars… A national safety group tells states not to outlaw driving while talking on the phone… Utah adds a designation for veterans on its driver's licenses, and other transportation news.

Will Utah Move Its Primary at Romney's Request?

TODAY'S TAKE: Mitt Romney's presidential campaign wants Utah election officials to move up the state's primary so it has more influence in the Republican nominating process.

Christie Proposes to Slash Medicaid in New Jersey

HEALTH BEAT: Governor's plan would drop 23,000 adults who are currently receiving coverage. The federal government would have to approve the change in eligibility rules.

On-Campus Gun Bills Stumble

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Pro-gun Republicans enjoy overwhelming legislative majorities in Arizona and Texas. So why did proposals to allow guns on college campuses fail in both states?

Utah Lawmakers Could Override Transportation Veto

TRANSPORTATION BEAT: Utah's governor faces a rare veto override as lawmakers try to designate sales tax money for transportation … New Jersey won't use a private firm to collect tolls after all … A key U.S. senator suggests states will have to raise gas taxes-not depend on the feds-for new revenue, and other transportation news.

California's Brown Shifts Gears in Debate Over Prisons

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: Governor Jerry Brown says tax extensions are necessary in California for public safety ... Crime labs close because of Alabama budget cuts ... Michigan reconsiders its sex offender rules, and other public safety news.

Abuses in Delaware Weatherization Program Revealed

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Delaware's troubled energy efficiency efforts ... a deal to remove protections for wolves ... Iowa leads in wind power and other energy and environment news.

Minnesota Senate Votes to Shrink State Government

MANAGEMENT BEAT: There may be 15 percent fewer workers in Minnesota state government … California Governor Jerry Brown weighs in with a pension overhaul plan … Nebraska looks to compromise on collective bargaining, and other government management news.

Utah on Immigration: We Aren't Arizona

Business leaders and the Mormon Church helped one of the nation's most conservative states enact a compromise immigration package.

Buzz Grows Around Huntsman Presidential Run

TODAY'S TAKE: Several current and former Republican governors are thought to be considering a run for the presidency next year. The latest subject of speculation is Jon Huntsman Jr., the ex-Utah governor and current U.S. ambassador to China.

Utah State of the State Address 2011

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Jan. 26 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Gary Herbert (R) 2011 state of the state address: Lt. Governor Bell; President Waddoups; Speaker Lockhart; Members of the Utah Legislature; Members of my Cabinet; Utah Supreme Court Justices; The State's First Lady, My Wife Jeanette; and my fe

After Giffords Shooting, No Slowdown for Gun Rights

The shooting of a U.S. representative and 18 others in Arizona has done little to slow the momentum of pro-gun legislation in statehouses. If anything, gun-rights supporters face better odds this year due to Republican electoral gains.

Utah Legislators Skeptical of Governor's Tax Proposal

TRANSITION WATCH: Utah Republicans grapple over the budget, Michigan's incoming governor mulls a new bridge to Canada, and more news of the historic shift in power in the states.

States Try New Tactics to Restrict Abortion

State legislatures across the country this year enacted groundbreaking abortion laws prodded, in large part, by national health care reform. Some of the new laws will dramatically change the circumstances women face when trying to end their pregnancies and at least one could lead to a challenge of Roe v. Wade.

How Utah Came to Own a Half-Built City in the Desert

When the recession drove a Western developer out of the real estate business, an obscure state land agency was left with a choice: Either buy out the developer or let someone else do it. The agency's decision will take years to pay off.Part two in a series.

Sagebrush Stirrings

Western states are launching a new round in their periodic challenge to Washington over the use of federally owned land. Authors of the challenge say they mean their effort to be more than a symbolic gesture. Others are skeptical that it will have much effect on federal policy.

Immigration: Will Other States Join Arizona?

TODAY'S TAKE: The national and international debate over Arizona's new immigration law continued Monday (April 26), as critics of the legislation called for an economic boycott of the state and the Mexican president, Felipe Calderon, warned that it "opens the door to intolerance and hatred." Less-noticed, however, was a state lawmaker in neighboring Utah who is drafting a similar bill in his state, and who says he has the support he needs to make it law.

States Tackling Public Employee Retirement Benefits in 2010

Since legislatures convened last month, at least 16 states are weighing changes to their worker pension plans. Employees, retirees and unions say they will contest some of the proposals.

Summary of the Utah State of the State Address

Utah Gov. Gary Herbert (R) used his first state of the state address to call on lawmakers Jan. 26 to exercise fiscal restraint and not raise taxes, but to also protect education from budget cuts.

Utah State of the State Address 2010

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Jan. 26 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Gary Herbert (R) 2010 state of the state address: Lt. Governor Bell; President Waddoups; Speaker Clark; Members of the Utah Legislature and of my Cabinet; Utah's Supreme Court justices; the State's First Lady, my wife Jeanette; my children, my

'Opt Out' Proposal Puts Focus on States

U.S. Sen. Harry Reid's call Monday (Oct. 26) for a new public health insurance plan already is prompting debate in state legislatures, which could opt out under the latest proposal being promoted by Democrats on Capitol Hill.

Tracking the Recession: Stimulus Police Funds Catch Legislators Off Guard

The influx of more than $4 billion in stimulus funding for state and local law enforcement initiatives has raised concerns among some state lawmakers who want a say in how the money is allocated and worry about what will happen when it runs out.

Report: Utah First in Economic Competitiveness

Utah ranks first while New York is dead last among the 50 states in the 2009 "economic competitiveness" index from a conservative group of state legislators.

Four-Day Workweek Grows on Utahns

The U.S. Postal Service has suggested cutting one day of mail delivery a week. Now California is about to shut down state government every other Friday. One state - Utah - already is experimenting with four-day-a-week government, with encouraging results.

Utah State of the State Address 2009

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Jan. 27 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s (R) 2009 state of the state address: Lt. Governor; Mr. President; Mr. Speaker; Members of the Legislature; My parents and in-laws - who are with me tonight as they always have been; My wife and best friend, Mary Kaye; Distin

Economy Trims Some Govs' Inauguration Plans

In a bleak economy that has led even some of the most financially stable states to grow uneasy, some governors who were elected or re-elected in November are skipping the typical inaugural balls and toning down the glitz at their swearing-in ceremonies to cut costs.

States Ask Feds for Health Care Help

With the economy tanking and state budgets deep in the red, some states are cutting benefits or people from their Medicaid and other health insurance programs to save money. At the same time, the federal government and the new incoming administration are working with states on finding ways to help them avoid such measures.

States Warned to Prep for Election Glitches

Eight years after voting irregularities marred the 2000 presidential election, most states still are not as prepared as they should be for Election Day glitches, from machine breakdowns to a shortage of emergency ballots, according to a new report by voter advocacy groups.

States Revisit Prohibition-Era Booze Laws

Seventy-five years after the repeal of Prohibition, state lawmakers across the country are marking the anniversary by relaxing or eliminating some laws that have restricted alcohol sales since as long ago as the 1930s.

Ultrasound at Center of State Abortion Wars

A new Oklahoma law slated to take effect Aug. 1 requires doctors to show a woman considering abortion an ultrasound image of her fetus and recite details of its development. Experts expect a slew of similar statutes next year as abortion foes push states to require the procedure for all abortions.

WORTH NOTING: 'Gas Pain' Troubles for Utah Governor

Utah's chief executive gives reporters too much information. An influential Idaho politician endorses two legislative candidates - for the same House seat. And Arkansas tourism officials are taking "Clinton Country" to the next level. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

WORTH NOTING: South Carolina's Shampoo Specialists

The Palmetto State cleans up a law requiring hairstylists to get more training than cops. Frog legs are frowned upon by Florida health officials. And an aide to Utah's lieutenant governor gets way ahead of his boss. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

WORTH NOTING: Illinois Treasurer Shows His Knowledge of Charges

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) endures a bruising charge from Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias (D). A new Utah law stirs Salt Lake City bartenders to create a new drink. And Louisiana prison guards get outside help to prevent escapes. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in.

Students Press For Guns on Campus

A year after a troubled student gunned down 32 people and then killed himself at Virginia Tech, an Internet-based student movement to allow concealed weapons on public college campuses has drawn thousands of students and prompted debate in 15 state capitols.

WORTH NOTING: Gov. Palin Expecting No. 5 — Soon

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) in Washington, D.C., Feb. 25.Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) explains her "bump." Florida Gov. Charlie Crist (R) has a "first girlfriend." And the "governator" reports some unusual gifts from celebrities. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Managing Govt. Is Key in Fiscal Downturn

Utah, Virginia and Washington got top marks for managing a wide range of responsibilities - from fixing roads and schools to spending tax dollars and sharing public information - that carry a direct impact on their residents' lives, according to a national study that measured state governments' strengths and weaknesses.

WORTH NOTING: ...And The Lobbyist Makes Three

Three's a crowd when Georgia lobbyists foot Valentine's Day bills. Midget wrestling gets pinned in Iowa. And an epidemic of faux pas hits lawmakers. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

WORTH NOTING: Fat Folks Uninvited

A Mississippi legislator wants restaurants to stop serving obese customers. Rooster owners in Riverside, Calif., must muffle cock-a-doodle-doing during daytime hours. And Florida lawmakers want to tax strip-club goers and give the money to poor nursing home residents. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

Utah State of the State Address 2008

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Jan. 22 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s (R) 2008 state of the state address: Click here to visit the governor's web site to view the address. Lt. Governor Herbert; President Valentine; Speaker Curtis; Members of the Legislature, Supreme Court and Cabinet; M

States make gift cards friendlier to consumer

Pleased with that $30 gift card you got for Christmas? Not so fast. Some cards come with expiration dates or maintenance fees that can make using them a hassle. But some states have made life a little easier by limiting those fees and expirations.

Palin strikes a pose in Vogue

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) is set to join the glitterati in the fashion magazine Vogue. Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) gets a whole bunch of charcoal for Christmas. And New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson (D) wins a New Hampshire primary. In case you missed those stories this week, Worth Noting fills you in.

Oreo edict eases election defeat in Utah

The Utah House contemplates honoring the Oreo cookie. Georgia considers allowing college logos on caskets. And Kentucky studies global warming without scientists. In case you missed those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.

A sagebrush state shows its spirit

Idaho's governor this month has drummed up support for a statewide, citizen-led volunteer effort to rehabilitate vast areas of wildfire- scorched earth - double what has burned in California this week - by replanting the land with millions of seeds of a native shrub.

States, feds try to keep up with wildfires

With major wildfires burning in more than a dozen states and officials on high alert for more, authorities are scrambling to contain the blazes and keep new ones from igniting, despite unfavorable weather and strained resources.

Govs' Speeches Send Grads on Their Way

Like any graduating class, the crop of governors giving commencement addresses in 2007 had its own standouts.

Va. Tech Tragedy Revives Gun Controversy

Both the Virginia and Utah legislatures this year wrestled with the question of whether to allow college students to bring concealed guns to campus. Virginia policymakers took a look after Virginia Tech disciplined an unnamed student who brought a firearm to class in 2005.

Utah State of the State Address 2007

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH, Jan. 16 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Jon M. Huntsman, Jr's (R) 2007 state of the state address: Lt. Governor Gary and Jeanette Herbert; President John and Karen Valentine; Speaker Greg and Teresa Curtis; Chief Justice Christine Durham; Attorney General Mark Shurtlef

Voucher Groups Seek to Oust Opponents

This year, school choice - or using public money to pay for private school tuition - is a big election issue in states where voucher plans have been defeated by narrow margins in recent years, such as Utah, South Carolina and Texas. Meanwhile, those same states have pro-school choice organizations that are well-funded and increasingly politically savvy.

Lame Ducks Ruffle Feathers in 3 Statehouses

Lame-duck legislators are feeling some heat in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where some groups are calling for changes to post-Election Day legislative sessions that let departing lawmakers cast key votes just before their replacements take over. In Utah, legislative leaders have banned lame ducks from taking taxpayer-sponsored trips.

Utah to Use Gifts to Pay for Medicaid

If Gov. John Huntsman's plan works, Utah will use $2 million in private donations - instead of state tax dollars - to cover the dental bills of 40,000 poor residents on Medicaid next year. The unusual arrangement, and the political drama that led up to it, stirred up a hornet's nest in Utah over how Medicaid is funded and how state officials choose what services to pay for.

Power Blogging Debuts in Utah Capitol

Utah's state Senate this year became the first legislative body to make online "blogging" a vital tool in lawmaking. Joining the nation's proliferation of Web logs, or blogs, the Utah site gave pols and citizens alike a computer screen-size soapbox to rant, rave and wrangle over the session's hottest topics.

Food Tax on Chopping Block

Shoppers in four states -- Mississippi, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming -- soon may be paying less at the supermarket checkout counter, thanks to reduced taxes on groceries.

Utah State of the State Address 2006

BOUNTIFUL, Utah, Jan. 17 - The following is the prepared text of Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.'s (R) 2006 State of the State address: Lt. Governor Gary and Jeanette Herbert President John and Karen Valentine Speaker Greg and Teresa Curtis Chief Justice Christine Durham and members of the Utah Supreme Court Members of the L

State AGs Fight Teen Smoking—Onscreen

More than 30 attorneys general are mounting a campaign to add anti-smoking ads to the beginning of films in which actors light up onscreen. The bid to fight teen smoking was prompted by a study that showed a marked increase in smoking among children who watch movie characters puffing away.

Rebellion Against Federal Education Law Reignites in Utah

A showdown over President Bush's sweeping education reform law is climaxing in the heavily Republican state of Utah this week and could push the federal government to make concessions sought by several states in enforcement of the No Child Left Behind Act.

More Students Passing College-Prep Tests

New York, Maryland, Utah, Florida and California have the largest percentages of high school students succeeding in college-level Advanced Placement classes, according to a first-ever state-by-state survey from the nonprofit College Board.

Governors' Inaugurations Take on Frugal Airs

President George W. Bush's inauguration took center stage in the nation's political arena, drawing most of the 28 Republican governors to Washington, D.C. But 11 recently elected governors threw inaugural parties of their own this month, each bringing his or her own style to the occasion, from collecting aid for tsunami survivors to a gala that garnered a visit from Elvis.

Utah Considers Rights for Same-Sex Couples

It was no surprise when voters in socially conservative Utah overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment last Election Day to ban same-sex marriage. So it may shock some Utahns to learn that a conservative state senator who voted against gay marriage plans to introduce legislation that would grant same-sex couples some of the same rights as husbands and wives.

Utah State of the State Address 2005

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah - Jan. 18 - Following is the text of Gov. Jon Huntsman, Jr.'s 2005 state of the state address: I am honored to be here tonight with my wife Mary Kaye - the finest human being I have ever known - and our family, to whom I owe a great debt of gratitude. I was elected, but together we serve. I

Huntsman Ties His Success as Governor to Utah's Economy

Jon Huntsman Jr., sworn in as governor Monday, begins the latest in an unbroken two-decade string of Republican administrations in Utah with his No. 1 priority to create high-paying jobs and attract millions more tourists. Even before serving his first day in the governors office, the 44-year-old former U.S. ambassador to Singapore has vowed to serve no more than two terms.

Western Governors University Improves Its Grade

Western Governors University, an online academic institution established by 19 states in 1997, has more than doubled its enrollment in the past year to 3,000 students. The surge in enrollment came as e-learning at colleges and universities across the country recorded a dramatic rise. While the number of students taking courses on the Internet is increasing, academics and entrepreneurs disagree over whether the trend is good or bad.

New Governors Off to School

Five of the nation's seven newly-elected governors will get introductory lessons this weekend in the fine art of leading a state. Governors-elect will meet for a National Governors Association (NGA) retreat in West Virginia to learn how to prepare the first family for life in the spotlight, deal with the media, shape their political agendas and work with legislatures.

2004 Governors' Races

Here is a complete rundown of candidates in the nation's 11 governors' races.

Elections Will Bring Five Freshmen Governors

A Navy reserve officer who shipped out to Afghanistan weeks after the Sept. 11 attacks and a millionaire businessman whose family invented the clamshell container for McDonalds Big Mac are among the newcomers competing to join the nations corps of governors on Election Day. At least five freshmen governors will be elected this November in 11 gubernatorial races across the country.

Three States to Let Overseas Soldiers Vote by E-mail

For the first time, members of the U.S. armed forces stationed in Iraq or other international hot spots can use e-mail to vote in the Nov. 2 election if their legal residence is Missouri, North Dakota or Utah. Those states are pioneers in trying to make it easier for U.S. troops based overseas to cast absentee ballots. But the effort is not without its critics, who say the program raises privacy concerns and fears about possible vote tampering.

Primaries Settle Slates of Open Governor Seats

Tuesdays primary results filled in the final blanks in the slate of candidates running for governor in 11 states. In five states, the race is wide open because incumbents arent competing in the general election. Here's a complete roster of governors matchups this election year.