August 18

Florida holds primary election for governor, with open seat after DeSantis is term-limited

Florida holds its primary election on August 18, 2026, for governor and other offices. Ron DeSantis is term-limited and cannot run for a third consecutive term. U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds entered the Republican primary on February 25, 2025, as the first major Republican candidate. Other Republican contenders include former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins. Florida''s general election strongly favors Republicans, but the primary is competitive. Democrats view the seat as unlikely to flip given the state''s partisan lean after DeSantis''s 2022 landslide.

Election deadline: Alaska Primary Election 2026

Voting for Alaska Primary Election 2026 occurs on this date. Offices on ballot: U.S. Senate; U.S. House (1 seat); Governor; State Legislature. See the linked election record for registration, early voting, and mail ballot deadlines.

Election deadline: Florida Primary Election 2026

Voting for Florida Primary Election 2026 occurs on this date. Offices on ballot: U.S. Senate; U.S. House (28 seats); Governor; State Legislature. See the linked election record for registration, early voting, and mail ballot deadlines.

Election deadline: Wyoming Primary Election 2026

Voting for Wyoming Primary Election 2026 occurs on this date. Offices on ballot: U.S. Senate; U.S. House (1 seat); Governor; State Legislature. See the linked election record for registration, early voting, and mail ballot deadlines.

4th Circuit upholds preliminary injunction on South Carolina's congressional map

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit affirmed the district court preliminary injunction blocking South Carolina from using its 2022 congressional map for the SC-1 district on August 18, 2023. The panel found sufficient evidence that the legislature used race as the predominant factor and that plaintiffs were likely to succeed on the merits. South Carolina and Republican legislative leaders immediately sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court.

CFO Allen Weisselberg pleads guilty to 15 counts in Trump Organization tax scheme

Trump Organization Chief Financial Officer Allen Weisselberg pleaded guilty on August 18, 2022 to 15 charges including tax fraud, grand larceny, and falsifying business records connected to a 15-year scheme in which he received $1.76 million in off-the-books compensation -- including free apartments, car payments, and school tuition -- without reporting it as taxable income. The Manhattan DA said Weisselberg's testimony would implicate the Trump corporate entities. Weisselberg agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in the Trump Organization criminal trial.

DeJoy suspends USPS operational changes under political and legal pressure

Postmaster General DeJoy announces he will suspend the operational changes that slowed mail delivery nationwide, including overtime cuts and sorting machine removals, until after the November election. The announcement follows more than 20 state attorneys general filing federal lawsuits, congressional hearings, and growing public outrage. The House passes a bill authorizing $25 billion in emergency USPS funding 257-150, but the Senate never votes on it. The White House threatens a veto. DeJoy testifies to the Senate on August 21 and to the House on August 24.