THIS WEEK

• Democrats hint at legal challenge to new Texas gerrymander
  
  
• Appeals court delivers another blow to Voting Rights Act
  
  
• RNC, Montana GOP jump in to defend anti-voting laws

TEXAS

Democrats hint at legal challenge to new Texas gerrymander 

Republicans this week finally unveiled their new, extra-gerrymandered Texas congressional map, following marching orders from the White House — with an assist from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) — to somehow carve out five more GOP congressional seats so Republicans can keep their U.S. House majority in 2026.

They’re proposing changes that combine Democratic districts in multiple cities, a strategy that one Democrat said could cause “political mayhem” for the state.

State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D), a Houston senator on the redistricting committee, told Democracy Docket that Republicans followed instructions targeting “these very specific districts based on race, which is illegal.” 

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin took that position one step further – suggesting that the map, if passed, would likely be challenged in court.

“This newest attempt to save Republicans from the wrath of voters after they passed Trump’s budget betrayal is an assault on Texas voters and a likely violation of the Voting Rights Act,” Martin said. “It won’t work.” 

That’s still down the road for now. But today, Texans will meet up at the State Capitol for a marathon public hearing on the proposed map. Read more about Texas redistricting here.

Our premium newsletters are the best way to know what’s happening to the 2026 congressional maps in court — become a member today to get every update you need.

ARKANSAS

Appeals court delivers another blow to Voting Rights Act 

The 8th Circuit Court of Appeals dealt a major blow this week to voters with disabilities or language barriers, ruling that they can no longer sue under Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA).

The court determined the provision includes no private right of action, which means only the DOJ can bring legal action to enforce it. With Trump’s DOJ openly fighting voting rights rather than protecting them, it’s easy to see why ending a private right of action is a serious problem. What happens if voters’ rights are being violated but the DOJ has no interest in enforcing the law?

The ruling upheld an Arkansas law that criminalizes anyone who helps more than six voters cast ballots. It also requires poll workers to maintain a list of names and addresses of anyone helping voters at the polls.

The same court recently ruled there is no private right of action under Section 2 of the VRA, which bans racial discrimination in voting. The issue could be taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court. 

With its interpretation of the law, the court forces voters in seven states – Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota – to depend on the DOJ to protect their rights. Unlikely. Read more about the Arkansas ruling here.

MONTANA 

RNC, Montana GOP jump in to defend anti-voting laws

A pro-voting group is challenging two Montana voter registration and identification laws – and now, the Republican National Committee (RNC) and the Montana Republican Party want to enter the fray to defend the restrictions. 

One of the disputed laws shortens the window to register to vote on Election Day — something students, especially, have taken advantage of in Montana — cutting off access at noon when polls open. 

The other one eliminates a declaration form that allows voters without ID to cast a ballot. 

The RNC has been jumping at the chance to get involved in lawsuits defending harmful laws in states like Indiana, Wyoming and now Montana – even as voting advocates say the restrictions will hit rural, elderly, low-income, young, and Native voters the hardest. Read more about the Montana lawsuit here.

OPINION

Maine Republicans are asking voters to restrict their own rights

Voters in Maine are looking ahead to a November ballot initiative that would dramatically restrict voting rules in the state – including requiring photo ID, cutting two days of absentee voting and requiring seniors to re-apply to vote absentee. 

The initiative’s supporters acknowledge voter fraud in Maine is vanishingly rare. But they still managed to get the measure on the ballot – after failing multiple times to get a bill passed by the legislature. 

“Maine has a fiercely independent streak,” Maine resident and author Robert Conlin writes for Democracy Docket.

“But the push by state Republicans to radically tighten voting rules suggests it’s not immune from the national trends driving the party’s sweeping assault on access to the ballot.” Read more here.

NEW VIDEO

The Epstein Files: What is Donald Trump Hiding? | California Rep. Robert Garcia

Donald Trump doesn’t want you to know what’s in the Epstein Files. As the GOP rallies together to protect Trump, Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are fighting back. The committee’s ranking member, Rep. Robert Garcia, joins the podcast to discuss the subpoena for the Epstein Files, the debate over redistricting in blue states and the march toward authoritarianism. Watch it on YouTube here.

What We’re Doing

We already told you about Democracy Forward’s limited edition album (which you can buy here), but we have the latest update: you can listen to it on Spotify now, too. The album supports Democracy Forward, a fierce opponent of the Trump administration that’s working to stop federal funding freezes, safeguard due process and protect the nation’s civil service. We’re listening to the playlist, which features tons of artists including Michael Stipe, Brandi Carlile, Tyler Childers and Brittany Howard. This is what democracy sounds like.