Main Street Independent

STORYLINE  ·  active

Electoral Redistricting and Voting Rights

Republican redistricting campaigns, Supreme Court challenges to the Voting Rights Act, and state-level voter suppression battles

Maricopa County board and recorder clash over ballot scanner removal

Illustration accompanying article: Maricopa County board and recorder clash over ballot scanner removal
  • Two Maricopa County election staff removed a ballot scanner and voided ballot envelopes while votes were still being tallied in a special election, according to videos released this summer.
  • County Recorder Justin Heap said the removal was not nefarious and that staff returned the equipment within an hour.
  • The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors said the scanner belonged to them and spent $70,000 to replace it, calling the equipment compromised.
  • The county attorney has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate the incident and decide whether to bring criminal charges.
 2026-07-05 · 3 MIN READ

Alaska Supreme Court rules challenger Dan Sullivan can stay on primary ballot

Illustration accompanying article: Alaska Supreme Court rules challenger Dan Sullivan can stay on primary ballot
  • The Alaska Supreme Court ruled Monday that Daniel J. Sullivan Jr. is qualified to appear on the state's August primary ballot as a Republican challenger to incumbent U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan.
  • The court's roughly one-paragraph order affirmed a Superior Court ruling that the Division of Elections had "abused its discretion" in disqualifying the challenger.
  • The court sent the question of how the challenger's name should be listed on the ballot back to the Division of Elections, ordering it to act "within the confines of existing Alaska ballot design law."
  • Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher had previously disqualified the challenger, arguing he chose his nickname and party affiliation to match the incumbent's and that his candidacy was not a good-faith bid.
 2026-06-30 · 3 MIN READ
Illustration accompanying article: House panel advances bill banning lawmakers from political betting markets

Jeffries job grows more difficult as House speaker race resets

2026-05-13

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries’ efforts to win back control of the chamber and become speaker are being challenged by back-to-back court rulings that wiped out Democratic gains tied to Virginia’s mid-decade redistricting fight, a new Associated Press analysis said. Jeffries acknowledged the party may now have to flip far more Republican-held seats to win the majority.

After Supreme Court ruling, GOP-led states rush to redraw congressional maps

2026-05-10

A nationwide redistricting battle over U.S. House seats tilted further toward Republicans this week, as GOP-led legislatures in Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee raced to redraw congressional maps following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened Voting Rights Act protections for minority communities. Meanwhile, a Virginia state court dealt a setback to Democrats, invalidating a redistricting amendment that could have given the party up to four additional seats.

New U.S. congressional map changes favor Republicans in courts, states

2026-05-10

The remaking of the U.S. political map accelerated this week in courts and state legislatures, with multiple changes expected to benefit Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. A Virginia Supreme Court ruling struck down a voter-approved Democratic congressional map, while states elsewhere moved quickly amid fallout from a U.S. Supreme Court decision last month.

Alabama lawmakers approve new US House primary if courts allow changes

2026-05-10

Alabama lawmakers on Friday approved legislation creating a new primary election for some U.S. House seats if courts allow Republican-drawn districts to be used for the November midterms, setting up another round of legal fights over voting maps. The plan was signed quickly into law by Gov. Kay Ivey. The move comes as Virginia’s top court struck down a separate Democratic redistricting effort over ballot-timing rules, and other Southern states weigh congressional-map changes amid renewed Republican hopes for additional House seats.

GOP redistricting confuses voters and burdens election officials

2026-05-10

Alabama’s primaries are a week away, but the state is preparing a do-over of congressional voting after new district lines were approved, while Louisiana suspended primaries and pressed ahead with early ballots even as districts changed. Across several Southern states, Republicans are redrawing U.S. House seats after a Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act, leaving voters confused and election officials scrambling mid–primary season.

Supreme Court halts Alabama plan for a House map with 2 Black districts

2026-05-10

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday set the stage for Alabama to eliminate one of two largely Black congressional districts before the May midterm elections. The decision overturns a judicial order that had required Alabama to use a court-imposed U.S. House map and directs a lower court to reconsider the case in light of the just-completed Voting Rights Act analysis in a similar Louisiana case.

Virginia Supreme Court strikes down Democrats’ mid-decade House maps

2026-05-10

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled Friday that the state Democratic-led legislature violated procedural requirements when it put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to allow mid-decade U.S. House redistricting, a decision that benefits Republicans ahead of this year’s midterms. The court ruled 4-3 that voters’ April 21 approval cannot revive the plan because the amendment was submitted “in an unprecedented manner,” according to the majority.

Southern Republicans push redistricting that could dismantle Black-majority districts

2026-05-08

Republicans in three Southern states moved forward this week with plans to redraw congressional maps that could eliminate majority-Black districts, facing protests and Democratic accusations of vote dilution. The efforts come after a Supreme Court ruling that Louisiana relied too heavily on race when drawing a district, weakening a key provision of the Voting Rights Act and emboldening GOP-led legislatures to pursue maps favorable to their party.

Southern Republicans press ahead with election-year redistricting

2026-05-08

Republicans in several Southern states advanced election-year redistricting Wednesday, undeterred by protests and objections to plans they say could reshape majority-Black House districts after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling last week. The moves come as the midterm elections draw closer and Democrats warned the changes could dilute Black voting power.

Tennessee GOP passes new House map reshaping Memphis after Voting Rights Act ruling

2026-05-08

Tennessee lawmakers approved and Republicans in the state Senate enacted a new U.S. House district map on Thursday amid protests, then sent it to Gov. Bill Lee, who signed it into law. The plan redraws Tennessee’s Memphis-centered majority-Black district to alter its boundaries after the U.S. Supreme Court last week weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities.

Republicans gain redistricting edge after Supreme Court weakens voting rights protections

2026-05-05

Republicans have opened a significant advantage in a national redistricting battle after a series of court rulings reshaped the legal landscape governing how states draw congressional districts. A U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a Black-majority Louisiana district as an illegal racial gerrymander has emboldened GOP lawmakers across the South to target minority-held seats, while a Virginia Supreme Court ruling invalidated a voter-approved Democratic map that the party had counted on for gains.

Supreme Court ruling weakens Voting Rights Act, triggers redistricting war

2026-05-05

The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais has gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act, setting off a nationwide redistricting war in which Republican-led states are moving to eliminate Democratic congressional districts and Democrats threaten retaliation. The ruling, issued last week, weakens the requirement that states draw districts giving racial minorities a fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice, a protection that many lawmakers and experts said had been the last national restraint against partisan gerrymandering. The decision escalated a conflict that former President Donald Trump stoked when he urged Republicans to redraw maps mid-decade, pushing the American democratic system toward what analysts describe as winner-take-all political combat.

Tennessee GOP targets Memphis House seat as other states move post-ruling

2026-05-05

Tennessee Republicans began a special legislative session on Tuesday that could redraw the state’s lone Democratic-held U.S. House district centered on Memphis. At the same time, South Carolina Republicans announced they will try to eliminate a House seat held by longtime Black Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn, while Louisiana lawmakers plan new districts after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down that state’s map. Alabama Republicans also advanced legislation for a special congressional primary if the high court allows changes.

States redraw U.S. House districts mid-decade as GOP seeks seat gains

2026-05-05

Republicans say court rulings and newly revised congressional maps give them an edge in this year’s elections, while Democrats are also moving to redraw districts in states they say could add House seats. The dispute centers on mid-decade redistricting in multiple states after U.S. Supreme Court decisions weakened Voting Rights Act protections and invalidated one Black-majority Louisiana district.

Redistricting war accelerates winner-take-all political combat in US

2026-05-05

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision weakening the Voting Rights Act’s restraints on congressional districting is accelerating a Republican and Democratic fight over legislative maps, with states moving to redraw districts after the ruling, the Associated Press reported. The change, officials and political scientists said, is likely to deepen hyperpartisan politics and make it harder to find neutral limits on gerrymandering.

Southern state Republicans consider new House districts after Voting Rights Act ruling

2026-05-05

State lawmakers in Alabama, Tennessee and Louisiana are weighing new congressional district maps after a U.S. Supreme Court decision Monday approved Louisiana’s request to expedite the court’s formal judgment that weakened a key Voting Rights Act provision. Civil rights groups and protesters have rallied against the changes, with Alabama and Tennessee convening special sessions this week.

Tennessee GOP targets Memphis House district; South Carolina weighs changes

2026-05-04

Republican lawmakers in several Southern states moved to redraw U.S. House districts after a recent Supreme Court ruling, as civil rights advocates protested. Tennessee Republicans began a special legislative session aimed at potentially breaking up Memphis’ majority-Black congressional seat, while Alabama lawmakers advanced legislation tied to whether the high court allows district changes. In South Carolina, Republican leaders said they plan to pursue changes that would affect the seat held by longtime Democratic Rep. Jim Clyburn.

New generation faces renewed fight for racial representation in the South

2026-05-03

Black Americans are facing renewed legal and political fights over racial representation after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision this week weakening the Voting Rights Act. The ruling, prompted by a challenge to Louisiana’s congressional map, is reshaping how states draw districts and how candidates can compete, with officials and lawmakers in Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee describing fresh uncertainty ahead of possible redistricting.

Supreme Court hollows out Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act

2026-05-02

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act requires a showing of intentional discrimination, a decision legal experts say will make it significantly harder to challenge maps that dilute the voting strength of racial minorities.

Supreme Court hollows Voting Rights Act’s Section 2 in Louisiana case

2026-05-02

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday gutted a key part of the Voting Rights Act that has helped protect minority voting rights for more than six decades, in a congressional redistricting case from Louisiana. The ruling leaves voting rights advocates and lawmakers warning that political mapmakers will face fewer legal barriers when drawing districts.

South Dakota counties interpret new voter ID rules differently as primary nears

2026-05-02

County auditors in South Dakota are interpreting new voter identification requirements inconsistently, with some requiring in-person presentation of a driver’s license and others accepting a photocopy, creating uncertainty for first-time registrants just weeks before the state’s June 2 primary election.

Louisiana GOP abolishes New Orleans criminal clerk seat won by exoneree

2026-05-02

Louisiana Republican Gov. Jeff Landry signed legislation Thursday abolishing the elected Orleans Parish criminal court clerk position, days before Calvin Duncan — a Democrat who spent nearly three decades in prison for a crime he did not commit — was set to take office after winning the seat with more than two-thirds of the vote in November.

Louisiana suspends House primaries after Supreme Court voting-rights ruling

2026-05-02

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry suspended the state's U.S. House primaries on April 30, two days before early voting was scheduled to begin, after the Supreme Court struck down a majority-Black congressional district as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The ruling, which significantly weakens the Voting Rights Act, triggered immediate legal challenges and prompted top Republicans to urge other states to redraw their district lines before the November midterms.

Louisiana suspends US House primaries after Supreme Court ruling

2026-05-02

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (R) issued an executive order Thursday postponing the state’s May 16 U.S. House primary, citing a Supreme Court ruling that struck down a majority Black congressional district and weakened minority protections under the Voting Rights Act. The suspension, which took effect two days before early voting was to open, temporarily pauses the election until at least July 15 while the Legislature draws new districts.

Louisiana suspends congressional primaries after Supreme Court Voting Rights ruling

2026-05-02

Louisiana suspended its U.S. House primaries Thursday as early voting was about to begin, after the Supreme Court ruling struck down a majority-Black congressional district and weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry ordered the postponement of the House primary to allow lawmakers time to pass a new map.

Confusion over South Dakota’s new voter ID rules complicates registration

2026-05-02

South Dakota county election officials are navigating uncertainty over new state voter ID rules that require proof of U.S. citizenship as part of voter registration ahead of the June 2 primary. Conflicting interpretations are emerging over whether a driver’s license must be shown in person or whether a photocopy is sufficient.

Supreme Court ruling stokes redistricting battle in several states

2026-05-02

The U.S. Supreme Court decision striking down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana has intensified redistricting fights in multiple states ahead of the Nov. midterms, Republican governors and legislatures said. Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee announced special sessions or moved congressional primaries as they try to adjust House maps or related elections. Courts have already weighed in on Louisiana’s congressional primary timing, while Georgia’s governor said new congressional maps cannot be changed for this year’s election.

Supreme Court ruling threatens to slash Black Caucus representation

2026-05-01

The Supreme Court on Wednesday gutted a key provision of the Voting Rights Act that protected minority communities from discriminatory redistricting, a decision that threatens to sharply reduce the number of Black members of Congress and reshape U.S. House elections for years to come.

Florida Republicans pass new congressional map likely to hurt Democrats

2026-05-01

The Republican-controlled Florida Legislature approved a new congressional map this week, and analysts from both parties say it could cost Democrats up to four U.S. House seats in November. The plan, signed into law after Gov. Ron DeSantis said it would reflect population growth and political leanings, redraws districts using “packing and cracking,” Democrats say, in a way they call a power grab by President Donald Trump.

Voting rights ruling puts Black caucus on edge as districts could be redrawn

2026-05-01

Black members of Congress and civil-rights advocates said a Supreme Court ruling gutting a key section of the Voting Rights Act would open the way for Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts without regard to race. In response to the decision on Wednesday, lawmakers including Rep. Yvette Clarke warned the change could reduce minority representation, while others said voter mobilization and court challenges are needed.

Income tax repeal to get rare test with Missouri voters

2026-04-30

Voters in Missouri will decide whether to eliminate the state’s individual income tax in a ballot measure set to appear in November, the first time in more than a century that lawmakers have asked voters to end the tax. The proposal also would authorize a sales tax expansion through changes to which goods and services can be taxed.

New Florida congressional map could cost Democrats up to four seats

2026-04-30

Florida Republicans passed a new congressional map this week, and Democrats warned it could cost them as many as four U.S. House seats in the midterms. Gov. Ron DeSantis said the redistricting reflects the state’s population growth and political leanings, while Democrats called it a power grab. The new lines use “packing and cracking,” Republicans’ approach to reshaping districts in ways that can shift election outcomes.

States move to respond after Supreme Court ruling limits race in redistricting

2026-04-30

Hours after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana congressional map that relied on race, several states moved to adjust their redistricting plans for the 2026 midterms. Florida and Mississippi announced rapid legislative responses, while Louisiana’s lawmakers weighed timing issues before primaries begin. Other states, including Alabama, Tennessee, and Illinois, signaled that litigation schedules and constitutional changes could shape whether maps change this year.

Florida legislature approves GOP-leaning U.S. House map amid redistricting court fight

2026-04-30

Florida’s legislature on April 29 approved a new congressional map aimed at maximizing Republicans’ advantage in midterm elections, after Gov. Ron DeSantis unveiled the proposal two days earlier. The vote came the same day the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back a key Voting Rights Act provision, a decision Democrats said could make it harder to challenge the plan.

Supreme Court ruling to reshape voting maps as primaries near

2026-04-30

The U.S. Supreme Court’s conservative majority on Wednesday issued a 6-3 ruling that largely removed the Voting Rights Act requirement that districts be drawn to give minority voters a chance to elect representatives of their choosing. With congressional and statehouse mapmaking deadlines already passing in parts of the country, Republicans are urging faster changes as candidates and voters move through primaries.

Supreme Court weakens Voting Rights Act Section 2 in Louisiana case

2026-04-30

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, saying it relied too heavily on race. The 6-3 ruling could reshape redistricting nationwide and may affect efforts by Republicans to keep control of the House, with impacts potentially felt more strongly in 2028.

Florida redistricting fight puts DeSantis back in Republican spotlight

2026-04-29

Ron DeSantis called a special legislative session in Florida focused on redistricting and other issues, stepping back into national Republican politics as midterm elections near. At Tuesday’s start of the session, however, House Speaker Daniel Perez declined to advance DeSantis-backed proposals on artificial intelligence and vaccine requirements.

Virginia Supreme Court weighs whether to block new U.S. House districts

2026-04-28

Richmond, Va., April 27 — The Virginia Supreme Court on Monday questioned whether the Democratic-led legislature followed constitutional requirements when it sent a voter-approved U.S. House redistricting plan to voters, in a case that could reshape party power in the chamber. Justices heard arguments on whether an intermediate “election” window in the amendment process was handled too late, Republicans said, to allow lawmakers to place the constitutional change before voters.

All-nighters in Congress create dysfunction after dark

2026-04-26

Congress is holding marathon overnight votes in the House and Senate more often, lawmakers say, as leaders push high-stakes bills through hours-long “vote-a-rama” sessions that stretch into the early morning. Republicans and Democrats point to confusion and fatigue that can spill into late-night, partisan fights—particularly over government funding and surveillance authority. The latest stretch left senators filing out just after 3:30 a.m. on Thursday, after another round of amendment voting.

California to weigh tighter restrictions on voter registration, mail voting

2026-04-26

California will put a proposal on the November ballot that would tighten voter-registration requirements by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship and would require voters to show identification at polling places, state officials announced. The proposal, backed by Republicans, also would change parts of the state’s mail voting process by requiring voters to provide the last four digits of a government-issued ID.

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves calls special session on judicial maps

2026-04-26

Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves announced he will call a special session for judicial redistricting after the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a Voting Rights Act case, Louisiana v. Callais. Reeves said the Legislature will meet 21 days after the ruling and that a federal decision last August required Mississippi to redraw the state Supreme Court’s electoral map.

Republican proposes giving part of Virginia back to DC

2026-04-24

Republican Rep. Rich McCormick introduced the Make DC Square Again Act, a bill aimed at expanding the borders of Washington, D.C., by undoing the 19th-century retrocession of Alexandria and other parts of the district to Virginia. McCormick said the measure would “restore the original ten-mile-square District” and end what he called an “artificial advantage” for Virginia Democrats tied to federal bureaucrats moving into the state. The proposal follows a Virginia redistricting referendum approved by voters this week that could shift House seats toward Democrats.

Democrats celebrate Virginia redistricting win, but more legal battles loom

2026-04-23

Democrats in Virginia celebrated a Tuesday election approval of a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan, a step they say could boost their position in a wider national redistricting fight tied to President Donald Trump. But the Virginia attorney general said Wednesday it will appeal a ruling that ordered the results not be certified, leaving the state Supreme Court to weigh whether state Democratic leaders followed procedure.

Lawsuit alleges Alaska officials’ voter-data sharing with DOJ violates state constitution

2026-04-23

Voting and civil rights groups sued Alaska election officials in state court, alleging the state violated its constitution by sharing the state’s full voter registration list with the U.S. Department of Justice. The suit, filed against Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and Division of Elections Director Carol Beecher, argues the sharing infringes voters’ privacy rights and violates due process by letting the DOJ flag voters for removal without notice or a process to challenge decisions.

Democrats win Virginia map vote, but redistricting fights move to courts

2026-04-22

Democrats celebrated an election win in Virginia that sets up new U.S. House districts, but the state attorney general’s office said it will immediately appeal a judge’s order blocking certification. The Virginia Supreme Court is expected to decide whether Democrats violated procedural rules when they sent a constitutional amendment to voters, and what happens next in Florida could further shape the national redistricting contest.

Alaska groups sue over sharing full voter list with DOJ

2026-04-22

Voting and civil rights groups sued Alaska election officials, alleging they violated the state constitution by sharing the state’s full voter registration list with the U.S. Department of Justice. The lawsuit, filed in state court against officials including Republican Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom and election division Director Carol Beecher, challenges a memorandum of understanding they say allows the Justice Department to flag voters for removal without notice or a process to challenge the decisions.

Gerrymandering has a long history in US politics, but the limits remain unclear

2026-04-22

The practice of redrawing U.S. House districts for political advantage—often called gerrymandering—has been part of American politics for more than two centuries. A new round of mid-decade redistricting battles in states has renewed questions about how often lawmakers can redraw maps and whether courts can stop them. A key U.S. Supreme Court ruling says federal courts lack an objective way to decide when partisan gerrymandering goes too far.

Virginia voters approve mid-decade redistricting plan with legal fight ahead

2026-04-22

Virginia voters approved a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan on Tuesday, backing a constitutional amendment that Democrats say could help them win as many as four additional U.S. House seats in November’s midterm elections. The state Supreme Court is weighing a legal challenge that could determine whether the referendum result stands.

Virginia referendum on redistricting could shift House control this fall

2026-04-19

Virginia holds a statewide special election Tuesday with a single ballot question on whether the Democratic-controlled General Assembly should temporarily redraw congressional districts. The measure’s outcome could affect which party controls the U.S. House for the final two years of President Donald Trump’s term, despite there being no candidates on the ballot.

Arizona judge backs recorder's expanded authority in county election dispute

2026-04-18

In a ruling April 17, an Arizona Superior Court judge largely sided with Maricopa County Recorder Justin Heap in his lawsuit against the county board of supervisors over election operations, giving Heap expanded authority to oversee voting procedures in the state's most populous county. The decision comes as Heap has implemented controversial changes to signature verification on mail ballots and has used a federal system to check voter rolls for noncitizens, drawing criticism from state officials and county board members. The conflict between election administrators is raising concerns about voter confidence in election administration as Arizona approaches its July primary and November general election.

Trump backs primary challengers to Indiana senators who rejected redistricting

2026-04-18

President Donald Trump is endorsing seven primary challengers against Indiana Republican state senators who defied his demand to redraw the state's congressional map, a campaign backed by more than $4.2 million in advertising spending. The effort, which has no recent precedent, will test Trump's influence over Republican Party politics in the May 5 primary.

South Carolina Senate backs bill protecting monuments, blocks QR codes

2026-04-16

South Carolina’s state Senate approved a bill that would protect nearly all historic statues, monuments and building name changes across the state, moving the measure to the House with about a month left in session. The proposal, approved 31-7, would also bar QR-code stickers on monuments that supporters said could add context about Confederate and segregationist figures.

Redistricting battle reshapes U.S. House map ahead of midterms

2026-04-15

Republicans and Democrats have been reshaping state congressional districts ahead of the November midterm elections, changing the electoral map in several battleground states. Florida’s Republican-led legislature has approved new House districts that could boost GOP prospects, while Democrats in Virginia recently won voter approval for a new U.S. House map aimed at flipping seats.

Maryland Democrats drop mid-decade congressional map push backed by Wes Moore

2026-04-15

Maryland Democrats rejected an effort to redraw the state’s congressional map to improve Democrats’ chances in the midterm elections, a setback for Gov. Wes Moore. The proposal failed as the Maryland General Assembly ended its session late Monday, with Democrats in the Senate leaving the bill in committee.

Democrats at Al Sharpton conference warn of Trump voting-rights threat

2026-04-09

New York hosted Democratic presidential hopefuls at the National Action Network’s annual convention, where speakers warned that President Donald Trump is undermining Americans’ right to vote in the 2026 midterms. During the Thursday gathering led by Rev. Al Sharpton, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and others argued that Trump’s election-related executive actions could affect who can vote and how. Several candidates framed the fight over voting rights as already shaping the early 2028 presidential contest.

Exonerated Calvin Duncan fights GOP bid to scrap his Orleans clerk role

2026-04-09

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry and state Senate Republicans are moving to eliminate an elected Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court post that Calvin Duncan, an exonerated man, won in November. Duncan’s swearing-in was scheduled for May 4 after he won 68% of the vote, but lawmakers voted to scrap the job. He says officials are retaliating against him for seeking to clear his name and for accurately describing his exoneration.

Rural Virginia voters weigh Democrats’ redistricting referendum and its consequences

2026-04-06

Virginia voters are set to decide April 21 on a constitutional amendment tied to a mid-decade redistricting plan promoted by Democrats. In rural counties, supporters said the new district lines are necessary to compete, while others expressed worry that the change could further entrench Republicans. Early voting began, setting up a potential legal fight if the referendum is approved.

Rural Virginia voters weigh Democrats’ referendum redistricting plan

2026-04-05

Rural Virginians are debating a proposed mid-decade redistricting referendum backed by Democrats, with voting set for April 21 and early balloting already underway. Supporters and opponents say the change could redraw the state’s 7th and 9th U.S. House districts in ways that shift political power before November’s midterm elections.

In rural Virginia, Democrats seek redistricting referendum as vote nears

2026-04-04

Louisa and Goochland County voters are weighing a Democratic-backed referendum on changing Virginia’s congressional districts, with the ballot set for April 21. Supporters in rural communities say it is needed to compete against Republicans, while critics warn the plan will entrench GOP dominance in more conservative areas.

Tennessee eases child support rule for voting rights after felony

2026-04-04

A new Tennessee law signed by Gov. Bill Lee eases two financial hurdles for people with felony sentences seeking to restore their voting rights, including a requirement that child support be fully paid. The Republican-supermajority Legislature approved the Democratic-sponsored changes last week, with supporters saying the update removes barriers while still requiring compliance with child-support orders.

New laws in Florida and Mississippi require voter citizenship checks

2026-04-03

Governors in Florida and Mississippi signed laws requiring officials to verify voters’ citizenship, drawing immediate court challenges in Florida. The Florida measure requires proof such as a birth certificate, passport or naturalization certificate if a voter’s eligibility is challenged. The Mississippi law takes effect July 1 and adds citizenship checks tied to driver’s license information and annual comparisons with an ICE database, as civil rights advocates warn it could burden eligible voters.

Democrats sue to block Trump executive order restricting mail ballots

2026-04-02

Democrats sued President Donald Trump to block his latest executive order restricting who can vote by mail, arguing the Constitution gives that power to states and Congress. The lawsuit, filed Wednesday, is led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and the Democratic National Committee.

Trump signs order creating national voter list, restricting mail ballots

2026-04-01

President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the creation of a nationwide list of verified eligible voters and seeking to restrict mail-in voting, actions that drew immediate legal threats from state election officials. The White House said the order aims to curb fraud allegations, while Democratic officials and voting-law experts argued it illegally encroaches on states’ constitutional role in running elections.

Democrats sue to block Trump executive order restricting mail ballots

2026-04-01

Democrats sued President Donald Trump to block his latest executive order restricting who can vote by mail, arguing that the Constitution gives that authority to states and Congress, not the president. The lawsuit was filed by Sen. Chuck Schumer, Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic National Committee and other Democratic organizations, with Trump and senior administration officials named as defendants.

Wisconsin panel dismisses Democratic bid to redraw congressional map

2026-04-01

A three-judge panel in Wisconsin dismissed a lawsuit filed by Democratic voters seeking to redraw the state’s congressional district lines ahead of the November midterm election. The panel said it had “no basis” to find the current congressional map invalid and ruled that only the Wisconsin Supreme Court can decide whether redistricting should be ordered.

Nonpartisan Nevada Forum backed by Andrew Shue aims for bipartisan laws

2026-04-01

The Nevada Forum, a new civic infrastructure nonprofit, is launching with an effort to bring Republicans and Democrats together to identify statewide problems and develop bipartisan legislation, organizers said. Actor and entrepreneur Andrew Shue is behind the effort, which will start by collecting ideas from residents and culminate in a citizen group that could propose legislation for Nevada’s 2027 legislative session.

Arizona governor vetoes bid to name highway for Charlie Kirk

2026-03-31

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed a bill Friday that would have added Charlie Kirk’s name to Loop 202, a highway encircling the Phoenix area. Hobbs said the proposal injected politics into a function she said should stay nonpartisan. State Senate President Warren Petersen, a Republican, argued Hobbs broke with an Arizona tradition of recognizing people who made an impact.

Utah Democrats shift left in new House district after redistricting

2026-03-30

Democrats in Utah are competing in a newly drawn House district in which a primary focused on progressive policy contrasts with a former congressman’s past positioning. The race centers on Ben McAdams’ effort to portray himself as moderate in tone while he pledges support for abortion rights and a higher minimum wage. The Democratic National Committee chair, Ken Martin, said the campaign is meant to build support among young voters, as the June open primary approaches.

Georgia GOP pushes nonpartisan elections for key Atlanta county offices

2026-03-29

Georgia Republicans advanced a measure to require nonpartisan elections for several local county offices in the state’s five most populous metro Atlanta counties, including the county district attorney in Fulton County. The Republican-majority Georgia House gave final passage on Friday, following Senate approval, with the bill set to take effect in 2028.

Bonta, UCLA group sue to halt Riverside sheriff’s ballot seizure

2026-03-28

California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project filed legal challenges this week seeking to stop a Republican sheriff’s seizure and recount of more than half a million 2025 election ballots in Riverside County. The dispute escalated as Bonta urged the court to act quickly, while Sheriff Chad Bianco said his office’s probe was approved by a judge and said it seized additional boxes of election materials.

Missouri judge rules Trump-backed House districts take effect

2026-03-28

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A Missouri judge ruled Friday that new U.S. House districts backed by President Donald Trump can be used ahead of the November midterm elections, rejecting a challenge brought by referendum petition opponents.

Spanberger orders Virginia back into ERIC as voting-roll changes tighten

2026-03-27

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger has issued an executive order reversing her predecessor’s decision to leave ERIC, the multistate program that helps states share voter-registration and identification data. Voting-rights advocates said the move and an added 90-day restriction on removing ineligible voters ahead of federal elections are meant to reduce the risk of wrongful disenfranchisement.

North Carolina voter ID law upheld by federal judge in bias challenge

2026-03-27

A federal judge in North Carolina upheld the state’s photo voter identification requirement on Thursday, rejecting arguments from civil rights groups that Republicans enacted it with discriminatory intent. U.S. District Judge Loretta Biggs set aside the groups’ claims and ruled the law may continue to be enforced in upcoming elections.

GOP bid to repeal Utah’s anti-gerrymandering law fails to reach November ballot

2026-03-27

Utah’s new congressional map will likely stay in place beyond this election cycle after a Republican-led initiative to repeal the state’s anti-gerrymandering law failed to qualify for the November ballot, the Associated Press reported. The state’s congressional districts were reshaped by a judge after a lawsuit found the Legislature violated anti-gerrymandering standards when drawing boundaries after the 2020 census.

Only some driver’s licenses could be used under SAVE America Act

2026-03-27

The Associated Press fact check says misleading claims about how the SAVE America Act would let voters register using driver’s licenses are spreading as the Senate debates the bill. The AP report says that driver’s-license use would depend on whether a license includes documentary proof of U.S. citizenship, such as enhanced driver’s licenses in certain states.

Wisconsin man convicted of fraud for ordering others’ ballots without consent

2026-03-26

A jury in Racine County convicted Wisconsin resident Harry Wait of election fraud and identity theft after prosecutors said he requested ballots for state House Speaker Robin Vos and Racine Mayor Cory Mason without their consent. Wait was found guilty of two misdemeanor election-fraud counts and one felony identity-theft count, and he was acquitted of a second identity-theft count.

Supreme Court mail-ballot case puts states on edge for November voting

2026-03-25

U.S. Supreme Court justices heard arguments on Monday over whether states can count mail ballots that arrive after Election Day, and election officials said a decision could force last-minute changes to November midterm plans. Nevada’s top elections officer described the need to educate voters well before the vote, while election administrators and advocates warned that tighter deadlines could disrupt already-prepared outreach.

Missouri Supreme Court upholds Trump-backed mid-decade congressional map

2026-03-25

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan backed by President Donald Trump, a ruling that gives Republicans a better path to winning an additional U.S. House seat in the November midterms, according to the Associated Press. Opponents filed a referendum effort after the decision, and other lawsuits are still pending, leaving uncertainty about whether the new map will ultimately take effect.

Missouri Supreme Court upholds mid-decade congressional redistricting urged by Trump

2026-03-24

The Missouri Supreme Court upheld a mid-decade congressional redistricting plan on March 24, a decision that gives Republicans a better chance of winning an additional U.S. House seat in this year’s midterm elections. Opponents have filed more than 300,000 petition signatures seeking a statewide vote on the map, and the new districts could still face further court challenges.

Democrats call SAVE voter-ID bill too strict as Senate debates

2026-03-21

Republicans are holding the Senate floor to debate a federal voting bill they say is needed to prevent illegal voting, President Donald Trump included in support for the measure. Democrats say they do not oppose voter identification in principle, but they argue the GOP bill is too strict and will suppress lawful voters. The bill, known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act or SAVE Act, would require specified proof of identity and would expand Homeland Security access to state voter rolls.

Missouri judge orders new ballot summary for Trump-backed redistricting plan

2026-03-21

A Missouri state judge on Friday ordered a new description for a ballot proposal that would let voters consider a Trump-backed congressional redistricting plan. The judge acted after Missouri’s Republican secretary of state acknowledged that he crafted an “unfair summary” by describing the existing districts as “gerrymandered.”

Georgia appeals court rules Fulton County can reject GOP election board picks

2026-03-21

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia appeals court ruled Friday that Fulton County commissioners can reject Republican nominees for the county election board and request other choices. The ruling overturned a contempt finding tied to the county’s prior refusal to seat GOP picks Julie Adams and Jason Frazier.

Republicans face hurdles replacing Georgia touch-screen voting machines

2026-03-19

ATLANTA (AP) — Georgia Republicans have struggled to replace the state’s touch-screen voting machines before the November election, even as they have long argued for changes to the system used to count ballots. A deadline to remove barcode-style elements from ballots is looming, but a bill advanced this week would push a full switch to later years, potentially keeping some voters on Dominion equipment.

Republicans launch SAVE voting bill debate on Senate floor

2026-03-18

WASHINGTON (AP) — Republicans began a debate in the Senate on a bill that would require stricter voter registration rules, including proof of U.S. citizenship for new voters and identification at the polls, a move they are using to spotlight the legislation ahead of November’s midterms. The effort is expected to end in a failed vote despite President Donald Trump’s pressure on Republicans to act.

Republicans press Senate on SAVE citizenship proof for new voters

2026-03-18

A Senate bill pushed by Senate Republicans would require new voters to prove U.S. citizenship when registering and to show approved identification at the polls, as part of an effort to increase federal oversight of elections. Democrats are expected to block the measure, known as the SAVE America Act, with critics warning it could disenfranchise voters who lack documents such as birth certificates.

GOP SAVE Act documents requirement could burden voters, advocate warns

2026-03-15

The Associated Press reports a New Hampshire voter struggled when poll workers required “proof of citizenship” documents under a new state law, highlighting potential complications if the Republican-backed SAVE America Act passes Congress. The bill cleared the U.S. House last month and is scheduled for Senate debate next week, with opponents arguing the documentary requirements could delay or prevent eligible Americans from registering and voting in federal elections.

GOP SAVE Act would require proof of citizenship documents, raising hurdles

2026-03-15

The House has cleared a Republican voting bill that would require voters to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship to register for federal elections, a change that could affect millions of Americans, according to advocates. The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, now heads to the Senate for voting and debate next week, after clearing the House last month.

Republicans plan talkathon on voting bill as they face Trump pressure

2026-03-13

Senate Republicans plan a long debate next week on a House-passed voting bill to impose stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements, a move Senate Majority Leader John Thune says is aimed at putting Democrats “on the record.” The effort is driven in part by pressure from President Donald Trump, who has made the bill a condition for signing other legislation.

Sheinbaum signals “Plan B” after electoral reform defeat in Mexico Congress

2026-03-13

Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday there would be a “Plan B” after Congress defeated a constitutional reform proposal that would have changed Mexico’s electoral system. The proposal failed in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday evening after Sheinbaum’s Morena party lacked the supermajority, with defections from some allies, including members of the Green and Workers parties. Sheinbaum warned that voters would judge whether lawmakers from those parties had supported her administration’s agenda as promised.

Missouri judge rejects lawsuit against Trump-backed congressional map

2026-03-13

A Jackson County Circuit Court judge on Thursday rejected a lawsuit challenging Missouri’s new U.S. House district map, a plan backed by former President Donald Trump that seeks to give Republicans an extra seat in the 2026 midterm elections. The ruling, issued by Judge Adam Caine, upheld the redistricting plan that reshapes Kansas City’s 5th District and stretches it into heavily Republican rural areas.

Trump tells GOP he will not sign bills without proof-of-citizenship vote plan

2026-03-10

President Donald Trump said Monday he will not sign any other legislation into law unless Congress sends him a “strict proof-of-citizenship” voting bill that would also curb Americans’ ability to vote by mail. Trump made the demand during a retreat for House Republicans at his golf club in Florida, as the SAVE America Act moves through Congress and Senate Republicans consider whether to bypass filibuster rules.

Thune says Senate will consider SAVE bill, but votes aren’t there

2026-03-09

The Senate will consider a bill known as the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE, America Act that would impose stricter proof-of-citizenship requirements for elections, Majority Leader John Thune said Tuesday. But Thune said Republicans lack the votes to pass it through a “marathon” talking filibuster demanded by President Donald Trump.

Thousands mark Bloody Sunday's 61st anniversary as Voting Rights Act faces Supreme Court test

2026-03-08

Thousands gathered in Selma, Alabama, on Sunday to mark the 61st anniversary of Bloody Sunday, the March 7, 1965, attack on civil rights marchers that helped spur passage of the Voting Rights Act. The commemoration drew Democratic governors, civil rights leaders, and survivors of the original march to the Edmund Pettus Bridge as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule on a case that could limit a core provision of the landmark law.

States advance proof-of-citizenship voting laws as Senate filibuster stalls federal bill

2026-03-07

South Dakota and Utah gave final legislative approval this week to proof-of-citizenship requirements for voter registration, while Florida, Michigan, and Missouri advanced similar measures, as Republican-controlled states pressed ahead without waiting for a deadlocked U.S. Senate. The federal Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act — backed by President Donald Trump and passed by the Republican-led House on a mostly party-line vote last month — has stalled in the Senate under a Democratic filibuster threat. Federal law already bars noncitizens from voting in U.S. elections; current registration requires applicants to affirm citizenship under penalty of perjury.

Utah GOP Rep. Burgess Owens says he will not seek reelection

2026-03-05

U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens, a Utah Republican and former professional football player, said Wednesday he will not seek reelection after a redistricting shakeup left Utah’s four GOP House lawmakers to vie for three seats this fall. Owens, 74, said he will finish his current term and then step away from elected office as Utah’s new congressional map was adopted by a state judge last year.

Obama backs Virginia Democrats’ mid-decade redistricting plan for April vote

2026-03-05

Former President Barack Obama is backing a Virginia Democratic effort to redraw congressional district lines, urging voters to approve the plan in an April 21 referendum. The proposal, signed into law by Democratic Gov. Abigail Spanberger, would go into effect only if approved by voters and survives ongoing court challenges.

Voters turned away in Dallas and Williamson after Texas GOP primary change

2026-03-04

Texas voters were turned away in Dallas and Williamson counties on Tuesday after local Republicans changed primary voting rules, prompting court fights and threats of more legal action. In Dallas, a judge ordered polling places to stay open past the 7 p.m. deadline, then the Texas Supreme Court stayed both decisions and directed that ballots tied to voters who missed the deadline be separated. The dispute raised concerns in a tight Democratic U.S. Senate race about whether some voters could be disenfranchised.

Status of late primary ballots in two Texas counties remains uncertain

2026-03-04

The Texas Supreme Court stayed a ruling that would have counted late ballots in Dallas and Williamson counties, leaving county election officials uncertain whether to include them in vote totals. As of Wednesday afternoon, the AP reported, officials were still awaiting direction after the high court ordered that ballots cast after a 7 p.m. closing time be separated.

Virginia Supreme Court clears April redistricting referendum that could shift four House seats

2026-03-04

Virginia's Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that a statewide referendum on a Democratic-led congressional redistricting plan can proceed as scheduled on April 21, overturning a temporary restraining order issued by a Tazewell County judge and allowing early voting to begin as soon as Friday. The court said it has not yet ruled on whether the mid-decade redistricting effort is constitutional, meaning the April vote could be rendered moot if the justices ultimately uphold the lower court's decision blocking the effort.

Virginia bill sets path for self-driving cars and trucks by 2028

2026-03-04

Virginia's Senate passed legislation last week that would create a regulatory framework for autonomous trucking and ride-hailing services in the state, with the bill's sponsor saying self-driving vehicles could begin operating as early as 2028 if the measure clears the General Assembly and wins the governor's signature. The Senate approved the bill 35–4. It is currently in subcommittee in the House of Delegates.

SAVE Act stalls in Senate despite Trump demands

2026-02-27

Senate Republicans said election-year legislation to require proof of U.S. citizenship to register and vote appears stalled “for now,” even after President Donald Trump urged in his State of the Union speech that GOP lawmakers pass it “before anything else.” The bill, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, hinges on Senate Majority Leader John Thune’s efforts to navigate pressure from Trump allies and Democrats’ opposition.

Federal court rejects GOP bid to block Utah redistricting

2026-02-23

A federal court on Monday rejected a Republican effort to block a new congressional map that improves Democrats' chances of winning a U.S. House seat in Utah. The three-judge federal panel denied a preliminary injunction request and ruled the new districts can be used in this year's election, marking the second recent setback for Republicans who currently hold all four of Utah's House seats.

Republicans ask Supreme Court to stop new voting maps in NYC

2026-02-20

Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court on Feb. 19 to stop New York’s redistricting commission from redrawing the boundaries of the only U.S. House seat in New York City held by Rep. Nicole Malliotakis. The request follows a Thursday decision by a New York appeals court that cleared the way for new maps after a state judge tossed out the previous district boundaries. Malliotakis said the Supreme Court has been “unequivocal” that “race-based redistricting violates the U.S. Constitution.”

Midterm House campaigns proceed amid ongoing redistricting disputes

2026-02-20

Primary elections have already taken place in Texas and North Carolina for newly redrawn House districts, yet a nationwide redistricting battle continues to reshape congressional boundaries in multiple states even as full midterm campaigns are underway. Final district boundaries remain uncertain in Missouri and Virginia, where court decisions and legal challenges could alter voting districts before the November elections. The redistricting efforts were triggered last summer when President Donald Trump urged Texas Republicans to redraw House districts to give the Republican Party an advantage in the midterm elections. California's Democratic leaders responded with their own redistricting effort, setting off a tit-for-tat clash that has spread across the country. Republicans believe they could gain as many as nine additional House seats from their redistricting efforts, while Democrats anticipate they could gain six seats in other states. Democrats need to gain only a few seats to win control of the House, which currently has a Republican majority. However, partisan projections carry uncertainty. Trump faces negative approval ratings in polls, and the party in power historically loses seats in midterm elections—factors that could affect voting patterns in November.

Democrats urge removal of citizenship question from 2026 census test

2026-02-19

Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight urged the Census Bureau to remove a citizenship question from a 2026 practice test, warning it could deter immigrants from participating. The on-the-ground tests in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, are scheduled to begin next month.

Republicans ask Supreme Court to stop new voting maps in NYC

2026-02-19

Republicans asked the U.S. Supreme Court to block changes to New York City’s only GOP U.S. House district after a state appeals court ordered a new map. The request came after a state judge tossed the district lines, and a court of appeals sided with Democrats in a Thursday decision. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis said in a statement that “race-based redistricting violates the U.S. Constitution.”

Virginia court temporarily blocks Democrats' redistricting referendum

2026-02-19

A Virginia court on Thursday issued a temporary restraining order blocking Democrats' planned April voter referendum to redraw the state's congressional maps, effectively halting a Democratic effort to gain four U.S. House seats in the national mid-decade redistricting battle. Tazewell Circuit Court Judge Jack Hurley Jr. granted the order at the request of the Republican National Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and Republican U.S. Representatives Ben Cline and Morgan Griffith, who argued the referendum's timing and phrasing violate state law. Virginia's Democratic Attorney General Jay Jones vowed to appeal.

Virginia court allows April referendum on mid-decade congressional redistricting

2026-02-14

Virginia’s Supreme Court said Friday that a statewide referendum can be held April 21 on whether to authorize mid-decade congressional redistricting, even as it considers a lawsuit over the plan’s legality. The decision gives Democrats a path to voter approval before the state’s highest court rules later on whether lower-court findings should stand.

Black lawmakers, civil rights leaders relaunch plan against anti-DEI agenda

2026-02-12

Congressional Black Caucus leaders and civil rights groups marked Black History Month on Tuesday by relaunching a national plan to mobilize against what they said are efforts by the Trump administration to weaken legal protections for minority communities. The group’s leaders criticized what they described as a rollback of civil rights affecting voting access and discrimination protections, and said they have been coordinating strategies with lawmakers on education and health care, immigration enforcement and anti-discrimination policy.

Iowa voters settle lawsuit over citizenship challenges tied to 2024

2026-02-12

Iowa’s top election official and a group of naturalized citizens settled a federal lawsuit on Feb. 11 that would bar the state from relying exclusively on driver’s license records for citizenship data in the three months before an election. The case stemmed from election workers challenging ballots in 2024 after the state flagged about 2,000 registered voters as potential noncitizens.

House GOP advances SAVE America Act voter ID push ahead of midterms

2026-02-12

House Republicans approved legislation Wednesday that would require voters to prove they are U.S. citizens when they register, including through documents such as a passport or birth certificate, and would require photo identification before voting. The bill, called the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility, or SAVE America Act, passed on a mostly party-line vote of 218-213.

Efforts to add early voting sites at NC universities denied by judge

2026-02-10

A federal judge in North Carolina rejected requests to open early voting sites at three public universities ahead of the state’s March 3 primary, turning away a bid by Democratic Party-linked plaintiffs. U.S. District Judge William Osteen denied a request for a preliminary injunction or temporary restraining order sought by the College Democrats of North Carolina and students.

DeSantis faces lawsuit over special session to redraw Florida congressional map

2026-02-06

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is facing a lawsuit that challenges whether he has authority to call a special legislative session in April to redraw the state’s congressional map mid-decade, according to a complaint filed Thursday with the Florida Supreme Court. The plaintiffs, backed by the National Redistricting Foundation, argue the governor’s proclamation violates the Florida constitution’s separation of powers.

Census practice test for 2030 includes citizenship question, experts warn

2026-02-06

The U.S. Census Bureau plans to use a survey form that includes a citizenship question in a practice test for the 2030 census, a step that has drawn concern from census experts. The field test is being conducted in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, using questions from the American Community Survey that ask whether a person is a U.S. citizen.

Mississippi Senate advances measure to restore ballot initiative right

2026-02-06

The Mississippi Senate Elections Committee on Tuesday adopted a measure that would partially restore voters’ ability to bypass the Legislature and put statewide initiatives on the ballot. The proposal would require initiative organizers to collect signatures totaling at least 10% of registered voters—about 170,000 signatures—before a measure could advance to a statewide vote.

Supreme Court allows California to use new Democratic congressional map

2026-02-05

The U.S. Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed California to use a new, voter-approved congressional district map for this year’s elections, rejecting a last-ditch appeal by state Republicans and the Trump administration. The justices denied the request on the court’s emergency docket without explanation, leaving in place districts designed to flip seats currently held by Republicans.

States scramble to gerrymander US House districts before midterms

2026-02-05

As the 2026 midterm election approaches, states across the country are moving to redraw U.S. House district boundaries in ways lawmakers believe could improve their party’s chances. The push, which began after President Donald Trump urged Republicans in Texas to redraw districts for political gain, has since spread to other states and faces ongoing court challenges.

Utah lawmakers ask federal court to block new House districts boosting Democrats

2026-02-04

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah U.S. Reps. Celeste Maloy and Burgess Owens filed a federal lawsuit late Monday seeking to block a court-ordered congressional map that they say would shift new U.S. House districts toward Democrats. The complaint argues a state judge violated the U.S. Constitution by rejecting districts drawn by the Republican-led state Legislature and instead imposing an alternative map submitted by groups including the League of Women Voters of Utah.

Republican bid for more US House seats in Florida hits legal roadblock

2026-02-04

TAMPA, Fla., Feb 3 (AP) — A three-judge federal panel in Tampa tossed out a lawsuit brought by Republican groups seeking to add U.S. House seats in Florida by challenging the 2020 census, ruling the case was filed too late. The judges said the plaintiffs should have brought the challenge within four years of the statistical methods used to calculate the census counts.

Nevada fake elector case resumes as judge questions prosecutors’ fraud intent

2026-02-04

The criminal case against Nevada’s six so-called “fake electors” resumed Monday in Clark County after the Nevada Supreme Court ruled the venue was proper. At a hearing before Judge Mary Kay Holthus, defense lawyers challenged the legality of two charges by arguing prosecutors must prove an “intent to defraud,” which the judge suggested could be “impossible” for the state to establish. The next hearing is scheduled for April 10.

Trump administration cuts 2030 census test sites to two cities

2026-02-03

The Trump administration is eliminating four of six planned locations for a practice test of the 2030 census, narrowing the work to Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina. The test started Monday, and the Commerce Department plans to formally publish the change on Tuesday.

Maryland House approves new congressional map, but Senate likely stalls

2026-02-03

The Maryland House voted Monday to approve a new congressional map, a mid-decade redistricting that Democrats say could help them win the state’s only Republican-held U.S. House seat. Senate leadership has said since October that the measure lacks enough support to move forward in that chamber, citing concerns it could jeopardize seats Democrats currently hold.

Recreational marijuana will not appear on Florida’s 2026 ballot

2026-02-03

Florida election officials said none of the active proposed constitutional amendments by initiative petition qualified for the Nov. 2026 general election ballot, including a recreational marijuana measure backed by Smart & Safe Florida. The Florida Department of State said the signatures deadline was Sunday, and state records showed the marijuana campaign fell short of the threshold.

Utah Gov. Cox expands Supreme Court to seven as redistricting appeal nears

2026-02-01

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill Saturday expanding the Utah Supreme Court from five justices to seven, a move supporters said would improve efficiency as a redistricting appeal plays out. The court was not asking for more justices, and legal experts and Democrats warned the timing could set a precedent amid tension between the judiciary and the legislature.

Judge blocks agencies from checking citizenship on federal voter forms

2026-01-30

A federal judge has blocked certain agencies from assessing citizenship status when distributing federal voter registration forms, a setback to President Donald Trump’s election executive order. U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled the Constitution’s separation of powers limits what the president can change about election procedures.

Judge bars Texas AG Ken Paxton from shutting down Jolt voter group

2026-01-30

A federal judge ruled that Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton failed to show a Latino-focused voting-rights nonprofit, Jolt Initiative, violated the law, blocking Paxton from shutting the group down in a state-court proceeding. U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman said Paxton offered “any plausible proof” and appeared to be acting in bad faith. The ruling follows earlier litigation between the two sides over Jolt’s voter registration efforts.

House Republicans propose stricter voting rules before the midterms

2026-01-30

House Republicans released a bill Thursday proposing changes to U.S. voting rules that they say would increase confidence ahead of the fall midterm elections. The package includes photo ID and proof of citizenship requirements, as well as faster roll updates, with some provisions scheduled for 2027.

Virginia court strikes down Democratic redistricting amendment

2026-01-27

A Virginia judge on Tuesday ruled illegal a proposed constitutional amendment that would have let Democrats redraw the state's congressional districts, dealing a setback to the party's efforts to gain House seats. The decision came as Democrats advanced a new congressional map in neighboring Maryland that could flip the state's only Republican House seat, illustrating different strategies in the national battle over mid-decade redistricting.

USPS ends evening mail pickups in Vermont under DeJoy plan

2026-01-27

The U.S. Postal Service has eliminated evening mail collection throughout Vermont, implementing a strategy that extends first-class mail delivery from two days to three days for many state residents. The change, called Regional Transportation Optimization, is part of the "Delivering for America" restructuring that began under former Postmaster General Louis DeJoy and continues under his successor, David Steiner. USPS did not publicly announce the change until it was revealed through a regulatory filing in January.

Republicans appeal court decision that voided NYC's only GOP House district

2026-01-26

Republicans appealed a judge's decision Monday that voided New York City's only GOP-controlled House district, setting the stage for a legal battle with national implications for Congress. The appeal came days after a judge ruled that Rep. Nicole Malliotakis' Staten Island and Brooklyn district was drawn to dilute the voting power of Black and Hispanic residents. The judge ordered the state's Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw the district by February 6, according to the Associated Press.

Court order reshapes New York’s only GOP-held House district

2026-01-25

A judge in Albany ordered new congressional district lines for New York, scrapping the boundaries of the state’s only Republican-held House seat in New York City. The decision, issued Wednesday by Judge Jeffrey Pearlman, gives the state’s Independent Redistricting Commission until Feb. 6 to complete a new map, with candidate petitioning expected to start at the end of February. For Democrats, the ruling creates an opportunity in the national redistricting fight even as Republicans have promised an appeal and the new lines could be delayed or changed.

Judge voids Republican House district over voting dilution

2026-01-24

A New York judge on Friday voided the boundaries of New York City's only Republican-held House district, ruling that its composition unconstitutionally dilutes the votes of Black and Hispanic residents. Justice Jeffrey Pearlman's decision forces the state's Independent Redistricting Commission to draw new lines by February 6—just 16 days before candidate petitioning begins—upending political calculations in a race both parties are fighting to control.

Judge voids NYC's only Republican House seat over voting dilution

2026-01-21

A New York judge voided the boundaries of the state's only Republican-held House district Wednesday, finding they unconstitutionally dilute the votes of Black and Hispanic residents. Justice Jeffrey Pearlman ordered New York's Independent Redistricting Commission to redraw the lines of Rep. Nicole Malliotakis's district, which includes Staten Island and part of Brooklyn, by Feb. 6.

Nevada voters to decide 31 percent of District Court judges in November

2026-01-21

Nevada voters will decide on 31 percent of the state's District Court judges when they head to the polls in November, with a total of 155 candidates filing for election to the judiciary, according to reporting from the Associated Press. The remaining two-thirds of judges retained their seats after no opponents filed during the judicial candidate filing period that closed Friday.

Senators warn USPS postmark changes could disenfranchise mail-ballot voters

2026-01-16

Sixteen U.S. senators sent a letter Thursday to U.S. Postal Service Postmaster General David Steiner, warning that recent changes to USPS mail processing operations could cause mail-in ballots to receive postmarks that don't reflect the day voters mailed them — potentially disenfranchising voters in states that use postmark dates to determine ballot eligibility. The bipartisan group, made up of 15 Democrats and one independent who caucuses with the party, said updated agency policy now means postmarks may reflect when mail arrives at a regional processing center rather than when a letter carrier collected it or a voter dropped it at a retail location.

Virginia Democrats advance redistricting amendment, setting April referendum vote

2026-01-16

Virginia's Democratic-controlled legislature advanced a proposed constitutional amendment Friday that would authorize mid-decade congressional redistricting, sending the question to voters in a referendum expected as early as April and joining a nationwide partisan battle over U.S. House district boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections.

Alaska appeals court to rule on felony voter charges tied to American Samoa

2026-01-15

A state appeals court in Alaska is set to decide whether to dismiss felony voter misconduct charges against a woman born in American Samoa, whose case has drawn attention to the territory’s unusual citizenship rules. The Alaska Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday in the case against Tupe Smith, arrested after winning a regional school board election in 2023.

Federal panel allows California's Prop. 50 House map for 2026 elections

2026-01-14

A federal three-judge panel ruled 2-1 on Wednesday that California may use its new voter-approved congressional map for the 2026 midterm elections, denying requests from state Republicans and the U.S. Justice Department to block the map on the grounds that it unconstitutionally favored Hispanic voters on racial lines.

Maryland Gov. Moore pushes redistricting despite fellow Democrats' warnings

2026-01-14

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday he wants the Democratic-controlled state legislature to vote on a new congressional map, pressing ahead with a mid-decade redistricting effort as the state's annual 90-day legislative session began in Annapolis. The move came despite warnings from Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a fellow Democrat, that the push could cost the party seats rather than gain one.

California judges allow new U.S. House map for 2026 midterms

2026-01-13

Federal judges ruled Wednesday that California can use a new, voter-approved U.S. House district map for the 2026 election, rejecting efforts by state Republicans and the U.S. Justice Department to block it. In a 2-1 decision by a three-judge panel in Los Angeles, the court denied requests seeking to stop the map from being used in future elections.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore urges vote on congressional map redistricting

2026-01-13

Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore said Wednesday he wants Maryland to move forward with redrawing the state’s congressional map and have the Democratic-controlled legislature vote on the recommendations of a commission he appointed. The call comes as Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson has warned that mid-decade redistricting could jeopardize Democratic seats, including at least one now held by Republican Rep. Andy Harris.

Supreme Court revives GOP challenge to Illinois late mail-ballot law

2026-01-13

The Supreme Court on Wednesday revived a Republican challenge to an Illinois law that allows late-arriving mail ballots to be counted, in a dispute that has drawn attention from President Donald Trump. In a 7-2 decision, the majority said candidates can sue over election rules even without showing their votes changed the outcome. The court did not decide whether late-arriving mail-in ballots should be counted, and instead said it will hear another case on the broader question this spring.

Trump's redistricting push reaches a crossroads as new legislative sessions begin

2026-01-12

President Donald Trump's unusual mid-decade redistricting campaign stands at a pivotal moment as state legislative sessions open this week, with Virginia Democrats and Florida Republicans preparing to press forward even as resistance in several other targeted states suggests the movement may have lost momentum. Indiana's Republican-led Senate dealt the effort its sharpest setback in December, defeating a plan that could have helped the GOP win all nine of the state's U.S. House seats.

Trump-allied lawsuits could reshape who counts in the 2030 census

2026-01-11

Two federal lawsuits filed by allies of President Donald Trump could determine who gets counted in the 2030 census and what methods the Census Bureau may use — outcomes that would affect congressional representation and the distribution of $2.8 trillion in federal aid to the states, the Associated Press reported Saturday. The cases are pending in Florida and Louisiana, and the Census Bureau itself is pushing ahead with planning for the next decennial count regardless of the litigation.

Trump’s mid-decade redistricting push hits key state sessions

2026-01-11

President Donald Trump’s plan to reshape voting districts for partisan advantage ahead of the 2026 midterm elections is entering a critical phase as state legislatures return for new sessions and some key setbacks and legal questions narrow the path ahead, according to an Associated Press analysis. The next moves in Virginia and Florida will be watched closely, while Illinois, Maryland and Kansas face internal resistance to further congressional remapping.

Legal challenges by Trump allies could shape how 2030 census is run

2026-01-10

The United States’ next decennial census is four years away, but two federal lawsuits filed this year could affect how the 2030 count is conducted and who is counted. The cases, backed by allies of President Donald Trump, target separate parts of how the Census Bureau plans for the once-a-decade census.

Trump redistricting push spreads to one-third of states, giving GOP a three-seat edge

2026-01-07

Republican and Democratic officials in roughly one-third of U.S. states have considered revising their congressional districts since President Donald Trump began pressing for mid-decade remapping to help House Republicans maintain their slim majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, according to an Associated Press review. Six states have already adopted new maps through legislative action, court order, or commission vote. More are expected to weigh redistricting as legislative sessions open this year.

DeSantis calls April special session to redraw Florida's congressional districts

2026-01-07

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday he plans to call a special legislative session in April for the Republican-dominated Legislature to redraw the state's congressional districts, joining a multi-state redistricting push backed by President Donald Trump that could affect control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterms. DeSantis, speaking at a news conference in Steinhatchee, Florida, said he wanted to wait for an expected U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a key provision of the Voting Rights Act before proceeding with new maps.

DeSantis plans April special session to redraw Florida congressional districts

2026-01-06

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said he plans to call a special session in April to redraw the state’s congressional districts, adding to a mid-decade redistricting push by several Republican-led states. DeSantis said he wants to wait for a U.S. Supreme Court ruling expected to affect the scope of a Voting Rights Act provision before the Legislature redraws the maps.

Vermont OKs “American Abenaki Curriculum” but Quebec nations rebuke it

2026-01-04

Vermont officials unveiled a new “American Abenaki Curriculum” focused on Abenaki history in the state, but leaders of two Abenaki nations headquartered in Quebec said the materials wrongly exclude them and reframe history for political ends. The nations said their exclusion amounts to “trivializing the rewriting of history” and “normalizing cultural appropriation” in schools.

Nevada lawmakers urge repeal of change limiting gambling loss tax deductions

2025-12-30

Nevada lawmakers and gaming industry leaders are pressing Congress to restore a federal tax deduction that will reduce how much gamblers can deduct losses from winnings starting in 2026. Lawmakers including Rep. Dina Titus and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto say the change will hurt Nevada’s casinos and the broader sports-betting and tournament economy in the months ahead.