The Rundown

Celebrations for America's 250th anniversary were marked by severe weather and heat throughout the country July 4, including in the nation's capital.

As candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the group Democratic Socialists of America saw victories in New York Democratic primaries last week, political forecasters have warned these wins may not translate to Democrats winning control of Congress in the midterms.

As primaries continue and the general election draws nearer, states are taking different approaches to how they plan to address the U.S. Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which will have major implications for voting rights and the future of gerrymandered maps in the midterms.

Though many states have finalized their slate of candidates to appear on the ballot in the 2026 general election through primary elections, several states still have ongoing disputes over congressional maps in the court.

There's another batch of primary elections coming up Tuesday, June 9 in Maine, Nevada, North Dakota and South Carolina.

On Tuesday, voters in six states — California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota — will weigh in on primary elections.

Happy Memorial Day!

As recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings have allowed state leaders to push ahead with gerrymandered maps, Democrats and voting rights advocates are expressing concerns about how these changes, as well as other actions pursued by Republicans in state and federal office, could restrict voter participation in the 2026 election season.

As redistricting fights across the country continue, recent court decisions are shaping how states controlled by both Republicans and Democrats can take action to change their maps in the months before the 2026 election.

On Wednesday, the Supreme Court delivered an opinion in Louisiana v. Callais sharply weakening a major portion of the federal Voting Rights Act, significantly restricting race from being considered when drawing congressional and legislative maps. 

The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security that has lasted for more than two months continues, though Senate Republicans are pursuing an alternative strategy that would not require Democratic support for funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol.

Concerns about potential interference or obstructions during the 2026 elections are mounting as Democrats and voting rights advocates raise fears about whether President Donald Trump might try to deploy Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and National Guard troops to polls, as well as his proposals to add more stringent requirements on voting access.