From PBS NewsHour <[email protected]>
Subject Welcome to the Battle Royale
Date May 5, 2026 11:04 PM
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It’s Tuesday, the traditional day for elections and for our pause-and-consider newsletter on politics and policy. We think of it as a mini-magazine in your inbox.

WHAT STATES ARE DOING ABOUT REDISTRICTING RIGHT NOW

By Lisa Desjardins, @LisaDNews ([link removed])

Correspondent

Welcome to the Battle Royale of congressional mapping.

With six months to go before the election, the Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana and the current POTUS have whipped up a plot line worthy of an HBO pilot. What kind of show it would be might depend on your political leanings.

Welcome to the Battle Royale of congressional mapping.

With six months to go before the election, the Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana and the current POTUS have whipped up a plot line worthy of an HBO pilot. What kind of show it would be might depend on your political leanings.

Who are the main characters? Seven states that have already redrawn their maps, another (Florida) awaiting a signature, one (Louisiana) quickly redrawing — plus, four more suddenly joining the conversation.

We’ll be exploring this landscape more deeply, including on tonight’s broadcast.

[link removed]

State Democratic lawmakers in Tennessee and constituents gather outside the state capitol building Tuesday in Nashville to protest Republican-led redistricting efforts. Photo by Seth Herald/Reuters.

For now, here’s a quick list of states in play:
* Alabama (Primaries scheduled May 19): Gov. Kay Ivey called a special session beginning Monday ([link removed]) , focused on drawing new maps before the midterms. Some 150 protesters came to voice strident opposition ([link removed]) . The state filed emergency appeals asking the Supreme Court to lift an injunction against a previous remapping effort that it needs to move forward. But state officials are preparing for that to happen. GOP potential gain: 2 seats.
* Tennessee (Primaries Aug. 6.): Gov. Bill Lee has called a special session beginning Tuesday ([link removed]) . GOP potential gain: 1 seat.
* Louisiana (Primaries May 16): A lot is happening. The Supreme Court last night appeared to move toward keeping the door open for immediate redistricting – filing a rare expedited transmission of the Callais decision ([link removed]) . (Typically, it would take 32 days for the ruling to reach the lower court). Then, this afternoon, the Black voters who originally sued the state asked the high court to recall its expedited judgement, indicating they planned to seek a rehearing. Meanwhile, a HOST of lawsuits have been filed after Gov. Jeff Landry suspended the state’s House primaries to redraw its maps, as the FEC has acknowledged
([link removed]) . But the U.S. Senate primary is still on for May 16, with a runoff June 27. GOP potential gain: 2 seats.
* Mississippi (Primaries already held ([link removed]) ): Gov. Tate Reeves has called a special session to begin in just under two weeks. It is not yet clear if the state will remap its House seats. The Magnolia State has a significant legal concern: It already held its 2026 primaries. New maps would make that vote illegitimate and set off a complicated scenario for voters and candidates. GOP potential gain: 1 seat.
* South Carolina (Primaries June 9): Initially, Gov. Henry McMaster seemed to consider it, ([link removed]) but GOP leaders at the State House moved quickly to try and close the door ([link removed]) on the idea. McMaster announced Monday the state would not redistrict.

We are waiting on next steps in:
* Virginia: The state Supreme Court has not yet ruled on the maps that passed last month’s referendum.
* Florida: A host of lawsuits have also been filed in the Sunshine State, several centered on state law which specifically forbid partisan gerrymandering.
* Ohio: The state’s primaries ([link removed]) are today — under its new maps.
* Indiana: Also votes today ([link removed]) in primaries. As Tamara Keith reported on Politics Monday ([link removed]) yesterday, Republicans who opposed remapping ([link removed]) are fighting for their political lives. U.S. Sen. Jim Banks has made a point in particular of trying to oust them.
* Where are we? In the eye of a redistricting storm.
* When will we know the final maps across the country? That is likely up to the courts, but after August, it is hard to see states or courts having any more room to maneuver.

More on politics from our coverage:
* Watch: How the Supreme Court's Louisiana districting decision weakens the Voting Rights Act ([link removed]) .
* One Big Question: What does the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana mean for other states? NPR’s Tamara Keith and Amy Walter of the Cook Political Report with Amy Walter discuss ([link removed]) .
* A Closer Look: Cuts at U.S. Forest Service raise concerns about protecting public lands and fighting wildfires ([link removed]) .
* Perspectives: Former federal workers speak out about being fired and why they're now running for office ([link removed]) .

THIS WEEK’S TRIVIA QUESTION

By Matt Loffman

Senior elections producer

By Erica R. Hendry

Senior managing editor, digital

It’s primary day in Ohio. (Check out our live results ([link removed]) , courtesy of the AP).

On the GOP ballot for governor: Vivek Ramaswamy, a one-time presidential hopeful who dropped out of the 2020 race and endorsed Donald Trump. Ramaswamy was later named, alongside Elon Musk, as a co-leader of the Department of Government Efficiency before withdrawing to launch his gubernatorial campaign.

Our question: How many days after being announced as DOGE co-lead did Ramaswamy withdraw? (Price Is Right rules apply; the closest guess without going over wins).

Send your answers to [email protected] (mailto:[email protected]) or tweet using #PoliticsTrivia. The first correct answers will earn a shout-out next week.

Last week, we asked: Which world leader has made the most addresses to a joint meeting or session of Congress?

The answer: Benjamin Netanyahu.The Israeli prime minister has given four addresses, the most recent in 2024.

Congratulations to our winners: Sandy Howard and Bob Schmid!

Thank you all for reading and watching. We’ll drop into your inbox next week.


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