As 2026 begins, a wave of new state laws is reshaping how Americans will experience elections, health care, artificial intelligence, and workplace protections. While Congress remains gridlocked on many of these issues, state legislatures have moved ahead with policies that will affect everything from AI deepfakes in political campaigns to the cost of Obamacare (ACA) plans and expanded access to paid family leave. The result is a patchwork of rules that reflects the broader political divide in the country — and sets the stage for the 2026 midterm elections.

AI deepfakes and election integrity take center stage

One of the most consequential trends in state lawmaking for 2026 is the effort to regulate the use of artificial intelligence in politics. With AI tools becoming more powerful and easier to use, lawmakers in both red and blue states are worried about deepfake videos, synthetic audio, and other digital forgeries that can mislead voters in the final days of a campaign.

Several states are implementing new rules that target:

Deceptive political deepfakes—States are moving to prohibit the distribution of AI-generated media that falsely depicts a candidate or public official, especially in the weeks immediately before an election.
Disclosure requirements—Some laws require campaigns and political committees to add clear disclaimers when they use AI-generated content in ads or outreach materials.
Enforcement tools—States are giving election officials and attorneys general more authority to investigate and penalize those who deploy misleading AI content to influence elections.

These measures reflect growing concern that AI-driven misinformation could erode trust in elections faster than regulators can respond. With AI market growth accelerating and tools capable of mimicking voices and faces in seconds, state officials are trying to balance free speech protections with the need to preserve election integrity. The new rules also highlight how states are filling a vacuum as federal efforts to regulate AI in politics remain stalled.

Health care: states push on ACA affordability and coverage

Health care is another major front in the 2026 state policy landscape, particularly around the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplaces and the broader debate over Obamacare costs. While the federal framework of the ACA remains intact, states are using their authority to adjust how coverage is priced and subsidized, with the goal of easing pressure on household budgets amid ongoing concerns about inflation trends and medical bills.

Key areas where states are acting include:

State-funded premium assistance—Some states are bolstering federal subsidies with their own funds to lower monthly premiums for middle-income residents who do not qualify for the most generous federal tax credits.
Cost-sharing reductions—A number of states are experimenting with programs that reduce deductibles, copays, or out-of-pocket maximums for certain enrollees, effectively expanding help beyond what federal ACA rules alone provide.
Marketplace stability efforts—In response to insurer exits or rising premiums, some state regulators are tightening oversight of rate-setting and exploring reinsurance programs to keep the individual market more stable.

These steps are driven by persistent concerns over the affordability of coverage, even for people who technically have insurance. As broader economic outlook debates continue in Washington, state leaders are trying to blunt the impact of rising health care costs on families, small businesses, and gig workers who rely heavily on ACA marketplace plans.

Paid family and medical leave expands — but unevenly

Another major trend in 2026 is the expansion of paid family and medical leave at the state level. While there is still no comprehensive federal paid leave program, a growing number of states have adopted or are rolling out systems that allow workers to take partially paid time off for major life events such as:

Welcoming a new child through birth, adoption, or foster placement
Caring for a seriously ill family member
Recovering from a worker’s own serious health condition

New or newly effective laws in 2026 are refining:

Eligibility rules—Defining which workers qualify, including part-time and seasonal employees in some states.
Benefit levels—Setting wage replacement percentages and caps, which vary significantly from state to state.
Funding mechanisms—Relying on payroll contributions from employees, employers, or a combination of both.

Supporters argue that these programs improve workforce participation, reduce turnover, and help families remain financially stable during crises. Critics often focus on the cost to employers, especially smaller businesses, and the administrative complexity. The result is a divided national map: some states now offer robust paid leave infrastructure, while others provide only limited unpaid protections under federal law.

State-level battles foreshadow 2026 midterm themes

The 2026 slate of new laws is also shaping the political terrain for the next midterm elections. Many of these measures touch on core issues that animate both parties’ bases:

Election rules and democracy—Beyond AI deepfakes, states continue to adjust voting procedures, mail ballot rules, and oversight of election administration, with each side claiming to defend fairness and security.
Economic security—Policies on health care premiums, paid leave, and worker protections are emerging as responses to broader concerns about wages, living costs, and financial stability.
Technology and regulation—The fight over AI in campaigns is part of a larger debate about how aggressively government should regulate fast-moving technologies.

Voters in 2026 will be living under very different legal regimes depending on where they reside, especially on pocketbook issues. In some states, workers will have access to paid leave and extra help with ACA costs; in others, those benefits may be minimal or nonexistent. Likewise, protections against political deepfakes and AI-driven misinformation will vary widely, potentially influencing how campaigns are conducted and perceived.

As these state laws take effect, they serve as real-world policy experiments. Their success or failure will likely inform national debates on whether to pursue broader, federal standards on AI in elections, health care affordability, and paid leave — or continue to leave these decisions primarily to the states.