😃 Good: In Mississippi, a federal judge has ordered special elections for the State Supreme Court after finding that the district maps used to elect justices were drawn in a way that disenfranchised Black voters, violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act — a key federal civil rights law. This decision helps ensure the votes of Black residents are fully counted and corrects attempts to limit their political power.
What’s next? State lawmakers are required to redraw Mississippi’s judicial districts this spring, setting the stage for special Supreme Court elections under a fairer map.
😠 Bad: The U.S. Postal Service finalized a rule that changes how postmarks are defined. Instead of showing the day a voter drops off their ballot, postmarks now reflect when USPS’s automated system processes the mail, which can happen days later. As a result, voters can mail their ballot on time, but it could still be marked late.
This change could impact 149 million people across 70% of U.S. zip codes, and it is especially concerning for voters who rely on mail-in voting — including rural voters, seniors, voters with disabilities, students, and military and overseas voters.
What’s next? If you plan to vote by mail this year, protect your vote by requesting a same-day postmark at the post office, mailing your ballot earlier than usual, or using an official drop box when available.
😡 Ugly: In North Carolina, more than one in three counties (36 of 100) are proposing cuts to early voting access for the 2026 primary elections in March. Most of these plans have already been approved by county election boards and the State Board of Elections. The proposed changes include removing Sunday voting in some counties and eliminating early voting sites on some college campuses.
Voting on Sunday has long played an important role for Black voters, particularly through church-led “Souls to the Polls” efforts. Voting after Sunday services allows working families to participate without missing work or losing pay.
College campus polling sites have also played an important role in expanding access for students and young voters. Sites on or near campuses — including North Carolina A&T State University and UNC-Greensboro — have historically made voting more accessible for young people, many of whom are Black or Latino. Together, these changes raise long-standing civil rights concerns about limiting access to the ballot for voters of color.
What’s next? Some county plans are still under review, and the State Board of Elections will make final decisions on contested proposals this month. County plans for the November elections will be submitted later this year.
