Do all states have provisional ballots?
No. Federal law requires provisional ballots in most states, but Idaho, Minnesota and New Hampshire do not issue them, and three other exempt states use them only in narrow cases.
Law
Plain-language answers to common legal and civic questions, with links to authoritative sources. Not legal advice.
Can members of Congress be impeached?
No. Since the Senate dismissed Senator William Blount’s impeachment in 1799, members of Congress have not been treated as civil officers subject to impeachment.
Can you join the Army at 50?
Not under the standard rules. The U.S. Army caps enlistment at age 42 and officer commissions at under 31, though age waivers are possible, especially with prior service.
What are the requirements to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives?
To serve in the U.S. House, the Constitution requires a person to be at least 25, a U.S. citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent when elected.
What is the Video Privacy Protection Act, and why is it before the Supreme Court?
The Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) is a 1988 federal law that bars a “video tape service provider” from knowingly disclosing information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific videos, unless the person gives informed written consent or another listed exception applies. Congress passed it after a Washington journalist published the video … Read more
Why can’t you buy large bottles of ibuprofen in the UK?
UK law caps how many painkiller tablets can be sold in a single pack. Under Schedule 15 of the Human Medicines Regulations 2012, ibuprofen, paracetamol and aspirin sold on general sale, such as in supermarkets, petrol stations and convenience shops, must come in packs of no more than 16 tablets or capsules. Pharmacies may sell … Read more
What is lobbying?
Lobbying is trying to influence government decisions by contacting officials on behalf of a client; U.S. federal law defines it and requires registered lobbyists to disclose their work.
Why did federal agents search Rep. Ilhan Omar’s home?
Officials have not said. On Monday morning, Oct. 12, 2026, Homeland Security Investigations agents searched the Washington, D.C. home of Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and the Justice Department told NPR they “executed a judicially authorized search warrant” that it had approved as part of an “ongoing federal investigation,” without giving the reason for the probe. … Read more
Are judges nonpartisan?
Federal judges are appointed, not elected, but many U.S. states choose some judges in elections, and 8 states use partisan ballots for their highest court.
Why is the Justice Department investigating five TV networks for antitrust violations?
The U.S. Justice Department’s Antitrust Division said on Saturday, October 10, 2026, that it is investigating ABC, CBS, CNN, NBC and Fox News over their agreement not to fill in for CNN in the White House television press pool on days the administration blocks CNN. The department said that “group boycotts among commercial competitors can … Read more