Louisiana
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the state view: events recorded for Louisiana, then national events that apply here. See the national timeline.
In Louisiana
2026
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Justice Department confirms it will send election monitors to Louisiana; state says it has had no official notice
The Louisiana Illuminator reported on October 26, 2026 that a spokesman for the Louisiana Secretary of State said on Friday, October 23, that state officials were "indirectly informed" the Justice Department will send election monitors to certain jurisdictions for the November 3 election, but had received no official notice or list of parishes. A Justice Department representative told the Illuminator by email that day that the department will have monitors in all 50 states.
- DOJ confirms it's sending election monitors to Louisiana and all 50 states (Louisiana Illuminator, Oct. 26, 2026) ↗ News report, Louisiana Illuminator
Source last checked Oct 26, 2026
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Court finds plausible equal protection claims over Lafayette Parish's requests for proof of citizenship
In its September 29, 2026 ruling the court found that plaintiffs "plausibly alleged that Lafayette Parish's requests for proof of citizenship discriminate based on national origin and disparately treat similarly situated voters based on parish of residence in violation of the Equal Protection Clause," and denied the motion to dismiss on that argument. It also held the constitutional claims ripe because of Lafayette Parish's requests.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Federal court lets challenges to Act 500 proceed in part
On September 29, 2026 the Middle District of Louisiana granted in part and denied in part a motion to dismiss in League of Women Voters of Louisiana v. Landry. It dismissed the National Voter Registration Act claims without prejudice for lack of adequate notice, but found that plaintiffs plausibly alleged that Act 500 "does not sufficiently explain how voter registration applicants can comply with it," and gave leave to amend.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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New Orleans asks the U.S. Supreme Court to review the Louisiana ruling on the Orleans clerk's office
The Supreme Court's docket for City of New Orleans v. Napoleon (No. 26-425), docketed September 28, 2026, lists the Louisiana Supreme Court decision of June 1, 2026 (No. 2026-CD-00594) with rehearing denied June 26, 2026. It records the petition for a writ of certiorari filed September 24, 2026, and a waiver by respondent Chelsey Richard Napoleon, Clerk of Court, Orleans Parish, of the right to respond, filed October 8, 2026. As of the docket page read October 24, 2026, no further entry was listed.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Louisiana Supreme Court rules on Act 15 and the Orleans clerk; New Orleans seeks U.S. Supreme Court review
The Louisiana Supreme Court consolidated challenges to Act 15 on May 14, 2026 and issued a per curiam decision on June 1, 2026, denying rehearing on June 26. On September 24, 2026 the City of New Orleans, its mayor and council president and an interim clerk appointed by the City Council petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court (No. 26-425), asking whether Act 15 violates due process and equal protection by nullifying the 2025 election.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Legislature passes a new congressional map with one majority-Black district; U.S. House primaries move to November 3
WHQR reported on May 29, 2026 that Louisiana lawmakers passed a congressional map that dismantles the majority-Black district running from Baton Rouge to Shreveport and keeps one majority-Black district covering most of New Orleans. The rescheduled primaries for the six U.S. House seats are set for November 3.
- Louisiana Legislature, SB 121 (2026 Regular Session), history: signed by the Governor and became Act No. 2 on May 29, 2026 ↗
- Louisiana lawmakers pass a congressional map to dismantle a majority-Black district ↗ News report, WHQR
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Judges deny a three-judge court in the suit over suspended House primaries; case moved to the Western District
On May 8, 2026, a panel of Circuit Judge Stuart Kyle Duncan and District Judges Greg Guidry and Shelly Dick denied the plaintiffs' motion to convene a three-judge court in Garcia v. Landry: "Because Plaintiffs do not raise a direct challenge to the apportionment of any congressional districts ... their Motion to Convene a Three-Judge District Court is DENIED for want of jurisdiction." The same day, Chief Judge Dick granted the defendants' motion to transfer venue and ordered the case "TRANSFERRED in its entirety to the Western District of Louisiana."
- Garcia v. Landry, No. 3:26-cv-471 (M.D. La. May 8, 2026), Ruling (Doc. 25) ↗
- Docket, Garcia/Collins v. Landry, No. 3:26-cv-471 (M.D. La.), entry 26, via CourtListener ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Fifth Circuit vacates its ruling and the order against the state legislative maps, in light of Callais
On May 7, 2026, in Nairne v. Landry, the Fifth Circuit wrote that after its panel ruled and a rehearing petition was filed, it held the case pending Louisiana v. Callais; "we vacate our prior opinion, vacate the district court's decision, and remand to the district court for consideration of this case in light of the recent Supreme Court decision."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Governor suspends U.S. House primaries after the Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais
On April 30, 2026, a day after the Supreme Court decided Louisiana v. Callais, Governor Jeff Landry signed Executive Order 26-038 suspending the primary elections for U.S. Representative until July 15, 2026 or a time designated by the Legislature. The U.S. Senate primary scheduled for May 16 was not affected.
- Office of Governor Jeff Landry: Governor Landry Suspends Only U.S. House Primary Elections, Apr. 30, 2026 ↗
- FEC Record: Louisiana suspends primary elections for U.S. House of Representatives ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Voters sue in federal court over the Governor's suspension of Louisiana's 2026 U.S. House primaries
On April 30, 2026, Lindsay Garcia, a voter and Democratic candidate for the 5th congressional district, and voter Eugene Collins sued Governor Jeff Landry, Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill and Secretary of State Nancy Landry in the Middle District of Louisiana (No. 3:26-cv-471). The court later described the complaint as challenging "the constitutionality of Executive Order JML 26-038, which cancels the federal congressional primaries slated to proceed under the apportionment map the Supreme Court declared constitutionally defective in Callais." Other suits over the same order were filed in the following days.
Congressional districts named: LA-5
- Garcia v. Landry, No. 3:26-cv-471 (M.D. La. May 8, 2026), Ruling (Doc. 25) ↗
- Docket, Garcia/Collins v. Landry, No. 3:26-cv-471 (M.D. La.), via CourtListener ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Act 15 abolishes the elected Orleans Parish Criminal District Court clerk
According to the City of New Orleans's petition to the Supreme Court, voters elected Calvin Duncan Criminal Clerk, an office that included serving as chief elections officer for Orleans Parish, in a November 15, 2025 runoff. Governor Jeff Landry signed Act 15 of the 2026 Regular Session on April 30, 2026, abolishing the office and transferring its duties to the Civil Clerk. The petition says this "effectively erased the votes cast by New Orleanians."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Louisiana sues the federal Election Assistance Commission over proof-of-citizenship language on the federal form
On April 14, 2026 the State of Louisiana, through the Attorney General, and Secretary of State Nancy Landry sued the Election Assistance Commission in the Western District of Louisiana. The complaint alleges the Commission barred Louisiana from implementing Act 500 because "Louisiana failed to prove that it was 'necessary'" to adopt it, and seeks a declaration that the action is unlawful.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
2025
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Fifth Circuit affirms ruling that Louisiana's 2022 legislative maps violate Section 2
On August 14, 2025, a Fifth Circuit panel (Dennis, Haynes and Ramirez) decided Nairne v. Landry, No. 24-30115, an appeal from the Middle District of Louisiana. The per curiam opinion describes the district court as concluding that S.B. 1 and H.B. 14 "violated § 2 by 'packing' Black voters into a small number of majority-Black districts and 'cracking' other Black communities," and states: "For the reasons that follow, we AFFIRM."
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
2024
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Three-judge federal court strikes down S.B. 8, the congressional map with two majority-Black districts
On April 30, 2024, in Callais v. Landry, a three-judge court of the Western District of Louisiana wrote: "we conclude that District 6 of SB8 violates the Equal Protection Clause. Accordingly, the State is enjoined from using SB8 in any future elections." The Supreme Court decided the case on April 29, 2026.
Congressional districts named: LA-6
- Callais v. Landry, No. 3:24-cv-00122 (W.D. La. Apr. 30, 2024), injunction and reasons for judgment ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Federal court finds the 2022 Louisiana House and Senate maps violate Section 2
On February 8, 2024, after a trial in November and December 2023, the Middle District of Louisiana ruled in Nairne v. Ardoin: "the Court finds that Plaintiffs have satisfied their burden of proving that the Louisiana State House and Senate electoral maps enacted by the Louisiana Legislature (S.B. 1 and H.B. 14) violate 2 of the VRA."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Legislature passes S.B. 8, a congressional map with a second majority-Black district
Governor Jeff Landry called a special session starting January 8, 2024 to legislate on congressional redistricting. The product, S.B. 8, passed January 22, 2024. It kept the New Orleans-area majority-Black district and added District 6, which links Black populations in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Shreveport, according to the Supreme Court.
Congressional districts named: LA-6
- Callais v. Landry, No. 3:24-cv-00122 (W.D. La. Apr. 30, 2024), injunction and reasons for judgment ↗
- Louisiana v. Callais, 608 U.S. 85 (2026) ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Louisiana Act 500 requires proof of citizenship with a voter registration application
Act 500 (S.B. 436) of the 2024 Regular Session, signed by Governor Jeff Landry and effective January 1, 2025, adds to Louisiana law that "[e]ach applicant shall include with his application proof of United States citizenship" and lists non-citizens as ineligible voters, according to the State's federal complaint.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Louisiana adopts closed party primaries for Congress and several statewide offices starting in 2026
The Secretary of State's office states that the Legislature implemented closed party primaries through Act 1 of the 2024 First Extraordinary Session, beginning in 2026, limited to the offices of U.S. House, U.S. Senate, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2023
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Fifth Circuit says the injunction was valid but no longer needed, and gives the Legislature until January 15, 2024
On November 10, 2023 the Fifth Circuit held that "The district court did not clearly err in its necessary fact-findings nor commit legal error" in finding the plaintiffs likely to succeed on their Section 2 claim, but that the 2022 injunction "is no longer necessary." It allowed the Legislature until January 15, 2024 to enact a new congressional plan, failing which the district court would proceed to trial and, if needed, adopt a plan.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Voting rights groups sue over proof requirement for "suspended" voters with past felony convictions
On May 1, 2023, Voice of the Experienced, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and the League of Women Voters of Louisiana filed suit in the Middle District of Louisiana, alleging that requiring "suspended" voters to provide documentary proof of eligibility, while other similarly situated voters need not, violates the National Voter Registration Act and the Equal Protection Clause.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2022
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Supreme Court stays the order blocking Louisiana's 2022 congressional map
On June 28, 2022 the Supreme Court granted Louisiana's application (No. 21A814): "The district court's June 6, 2022 preliminary injunctions in No. 3:22-CV-211 and No. 3:22-CV-214 are stayed." It treated the application as a petition for certiorari before judgment, granted it, and held the case in abeyance pending its decision in Merrill v. Milligan. Justices Breyer, Sotomayor and Kagan would have denied the application.
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Federal court blocks the 2022 congressional map, finding plaintiffs likely to prove a Section 2 violation
On June 6, 2022, in Robinson v. Ardoin, the Middle District of Louisiana concluded that "Plaintiffs are substantially likely to prevail on the merits of their claims brought under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act" and issued a preliminary injunction against use of the H.B. 1 map. The Supreme Court later stayed the injunction pending its decision in the Alabama case.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Legislature overrides veto of the 2022 congressional map, H.B. 1
Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed H.B. 1 and S.B. 5 on March 9, 2022. The Legislature voted to override on March 30, 2022. H.B. 1 kept a single majority-Black congressional district. Plaintiffs filed suit in the Middle District of Louisiana the same day.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Voters approve a constitutional amendment clarifying that U.S. citizenship is required to register
The State of Louisiana's 2026 complaint against the Election Assistance Commission states that in 2022 Louisiana voters passed a constitutional amendment clarifying that United States citizenship is a requirement to register to vote (Act No. 279, 2022 Regular Session).
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2021
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Governor delays fall 2021 elections after Hurricane Ida
KSLA reported that on September 9, 2021 Governor John Bel Edwards signed an executive order moving the October 9 election to November 13 and the November 13 election to December 11, after Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin certified that holding the elections as scheduled would impair their integrity in the aftermath of Hurricane Ida, which made landfall August 29.
- Governor of Louisiana, Executive Order 2021 JBE 13, Elections rescheduled due to Hurricane Ida (signed September 9, 2021) ↗
- Fall elections in Louisiana rescheduled due to Hurricane Ida ↗ News report, KSLA
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Justice Department and West Monroe settle a Section 2 suit over at-large aldermen elections
On April 14, 2021 the United States sued the City of West Monroe, in Ouachita Parish, alleging that the at-large method of electing its board of aldermen violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and filed a proposed consent decree. The decree creates three single-member districts and keeps two members at large. The Department's case page says the court signed and entered the decree on April 15.
- Justice Department: United States v. City of West Monroe, LA ↗
- Complaint, United States v. City of West Monroe, No. 3:21-cv-0988 (W.D. La. Apr. 14, 2021) ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Louisiana Act 127 removes the paperwork requirement for restoring voting rights
The complaint in Voice of the Experienced v. Ardoin states that in 2021 the Legislature passed Act 127 (H.B. 378), which deleted the requirement that a person submit documentation to the registrar, so that a person under an order of imprisonment for a felony who has not been incarcerated in the last five years is eligible to vote regardless of whether they present proof of eligibility.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2020
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Federal court dismisses suits over Louisiana's COVID-19 mail voting rules for lack of standing
On June 22, 2020, Chief Judge Shelly Dick granted the Attorney General's motion to dismiss Clark v. Edwards and Power Coalition v. Edwards, which challenged the excuse and witness requirements for absentee voting by mail under the Emergency Election Plan. The court wrote: "Plaintiffs' claims against all Defendants are dismissed with prejudice." The dismissal rested on standing.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Governor reschedules spring 2020 elections because of COVID-19
By proclamation No. 28 JBE 2020 of March 13, 2020 and a later proclamation, Governor John Bel Edwards rescheduled elections set for April 4 and May 9, 2020 to July 11 and August 15, 2020, according to the federal court ruling in Clark v. Edwards. On April 27, 2020 the Legislature approved an Emergency Election Plan from Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin that added five COVID-19-related excuses for absentee voting by mail.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
Nationwide
2026
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Civil rights groups sue Homeland Security over its citizenship checks of naturalized voters
On October 28, 2026, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates, OCA-San Mateo, OCA-Sacramento and Common Cause sued the Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and its director, Joseph B. Edlow, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California (No. 3:26-cv-12617). The complaint says USCIS adopted an "Unlawful Voter Initiative" in August 2026 that targets naturalized and derivative citizens flagged by Homeland Security as possible noncitizen voters for investigation. It asks the court to vacate the initiative under the Administrative Procedure Act and to order the agencies to expunge records created under it. The ACLU of Northern California's release says the plaintiffs are represented by the ACLU Voting Rights Project.
- Complaint, OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 3:26-cv-12617 (N.D. Cal., filed Oct. 28, 2026) (plaintiffs' file-stamped copy) ↗ News report, ACLU
- Voting and Civil Rights Groups File Lawsuit to Stop Unlawful Federal Intimidation of Naturalized Citizen Voters (October 28, 2026) ↗ News report, ACLU of Northern California
Source last checked Oct 28, 2026
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Homeland Security appeals the injunction on its election field operations to the Ninth Circuit
On October 26, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security, its component agencies and the officials named in California Nurses Association v. Mullin (N.D. Cal., No. 4:26-cv-10680) filed a notice of appeal to the Ninth Circuit from Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín's October 21 order granting a preliminary injunction against certain election-related field operations in nine states.
Source last checked Oct 27, 2026
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Democratic plaintiffs ask for a restraining order against federal involvement in voter lists, ballots and counting
On October 26, 2026, the plaintiffs in DSCC v. Trump (D.D.C. No. 1:26-cv-03674-JEB), the DSCC, the DCCC, the Democratic Governors Association, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem S. Jeffries, the Nevada State Democratic Party and Erick Jose Jimenez, moved for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction. The motion asks the court to bar the defendants from imposing themselves on election procedures the plaintiffs say the Constitution and federal law assign to the states, including removing registered voters from statewide lists, issuing ballots to registered voters, and counting ballots. A joint notice filed October 27 says the parties could not agree on a schedule and that the court had already set a hearing on the plaintiffs' expedited-discovery motion for 2 p.m. on October 29. The government filed its opposition to expedited discovery on October 27 and the plaintiffs replied on October 28.
- U.S. District Court, D.D.C.: DSCC v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-03674-JEB, docket (TRO motion entered October 26, 2026; opposition and reply October 27 and 28) ↗
- Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order and Preliminary Injunction, ECF No. 19 (filed October 26, 2026; court filing copy on CourtListener) ↗ News report, CourtListener (RECAP)
- Joint Scheduling Notice, ECF No. 20 (October 27, 2026; court filing copy on CourtListener) ↗ News report, CourtListener (RECAP)
Source last checked Oct 28, 2026
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Democratic plaintiffs ask for fast-tracked discovery in their suit over federal pressure on election officials
On October 23, 2026, the plaintiffs in DSCC v. Trump (No. 1:26-cv-03674-JEB, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia) filed a motion for expedited discovery. The plaintiffs are the DSCC, the DCCC, the Democratic Governors Association, Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem S. Jeffries, the Nevada State Democratic Party and Erick Jose Jimenez. The motion asks for all non-privileged communications the defendants have sent since July 1, 2026 to state or local election officials demanding or requesting that they remove specific registered voters from statewide lists, refuse ballots to specific voters, or set aside or not count ballots returned by specific voters, plus answers to interrogatories. It says the plaintiffs are "seriously contemplating" a request for emergency relief before the November 3 election, and cites an October 21, 2026 order allowing narrow expedited discovery in NAACP v. DHS in the same court.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Federal judge bars Homeland Security election field operations aimed at people believed to be citizens in nine states
On October 21, 2026, Judge Araceli Martínez-Olguín of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California granted a preliminary injunction in California Nurses Association v. Mullin (No. 4:26-cv-10680), a suit by the California Nurses Association, National Nurses United, the City and County of San Francisco, the County of Santa Clara and the Voto Latino Foundation. The order says that in August 2026 the Department of Homeland Security started an "Unlawful Voter Initiative" that had Citizenship and Immigration Services build lists of people to investigate, and that an August 31 guidance told agents to prioritize field questioning about voter eligibility in California, Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania, Washington and Wisconsin. The court enjoined the department from election-related field operations and interviews in those nine states that involve people it knows, suspects or should reasonably suspect are U.S. citizens, and from field operations there based wholly on records from its voter eligibility matching. The order runs until polls close on November 3, 2026, and was stayed until 5 p.m. on October 23, 2026.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Justice Department begins notifying counties it wants to monitor on Election Day 2026
NPR reported on October 21, 2026 that the Justice Department began notifying counties it wants to monitor on Election Day starting Tuesday, October 20. NPR confirmed notices to Adams County, Colorado; seven counties in Texas; King County, Washington; Miami-Dade County, Florida; and Hennepin and Ramsey counties in Minnesota. NPR reports that state officials were at first not notified at the same time as counties, and that a department spokesperson said it prioritizes places with competitive elections and would monitor Adams County because it is covered by Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act. Colorado's Secretary of State's office told NPR it was considering how to respond, since state rules require observers to have its permission unless a court orders otherwise.
- The Justice Department begins notifying counties where it wants to monitor elections ↗ News report, NPR
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Appeals in the Massachusetts Executive Order 14399 and Postal Service cases are voluntarily dismissed
On October 15, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit entered judgment in Nos. 26-1987, 26-1988, 26-1989 and 26-1991, appeals in State of California v. United States Postal Service and League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump. Upon the appellants' unopposed motions, the court ordered "that these appeals be voluntarily dismissed" under Federal Rule of Appellate Procedure 42(b)(2), with the mandate to issue forthwith. The judgment was entered on the district court docket on October 16, 2026.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Federal court vacates Justice Department voter-roll policy in Common Cause v. Department of Justice
On October 9, 2026, Judge Sparkle Sooknanan of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted summary judgment to the plaintiffs, who challenged a Civil Rights Division policy of demanding state voter registration lists and urging removals. The opinion says "The Court therefore sets aside and vacates the challenged policy under the Administrative Procedure Act." The Justice Department argued it has statutory authority for the policy.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Democratic leaders and party committees sue to bar federal orders removing voters or holding back ballots
The Associated Press reported on October 21, 2026 that Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic Governors Association sued in federal court in Washington (the AP says the suit was filed Tuesday, October 20). The suit names President Trump, the Justice Department, Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Markwayne Mullin. It asks for an order barring the administration from removing legally registered voters from statewide voter lists or denying ballots to them, and a ruling that the administration illegally threatened state election officials with prosecution. It cites the Justice Department's suit over California mail ballots. The AP reports the case was assigned to Chief Judge James Boasberg and that the Justice Department said its actions are grounded in law.
- Democrats sue to block Trump administration from usurping states' authority to administer elections (AP, Oct. 21, 2026) ↗ News report, Associated Press (via WKMG)
- "Democratic-Aligned Groups Sue Over Federal Crackdown on Voting" (quoting The New York Times) ↗ News report, Election Law Blog
- Docket, DSCC v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-03674 (D.D.C., filed October 20, 2026) ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Supreme Court grants stay in Department of Homeland Security v. League of Women Voters, on voter citizenship checks
On September 25, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a per curiam order on an application for stay, granted the government's request in a case about the modified SAVE program, which lets state and local agencies check the citizenship status of registered voters against Social Security Administration records. The Court said it was "likely to reverse the District Court's holding that the federal defendants violated the Social Security Act, the Privacy Act, and the APA." The order says that Executive Order 14248 directed the Department of Homeland Security to put new systems in place for that purpose.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Civil rights and labor groups sue over possible federal immigration agents near polling places
On September 18, 2026, a coalition of nine civil rights and union groups sued in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to prevent the deployment of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to polling locations in November. States Newsroom reported it as the second such suit that month. The groups argue the policy violates the federal law that bars "armed men" at election sites and the Voting Rights Act's bar on intimidation. A Justice Department spokesperson said: "The DOJ has never said it would send federal law enforcement to polling locations." A Homeland Security spokesperson said ICE was not planning operations that targeted polling locations. No ruling is recorded here.
- U.S. District Court, D.D.C.: NAACP v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:26-cv-03263, Complaint (Doc. 1, filed September 18, 2026; CourtListener copy) ↗
- A second lawsuit challenges plans to put ICE agents near polling places (September 21, 2026) ↗ News report, Government Executive (States Newsroom)
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Federal court in Washington enjoins the Postal Service ballot mail rule
On September 13, 2026, Judge Carl Nichols of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted preliminary injunctions against the Postal Service's final ballot-mail rule in three consolidated cases. The opinion says "no statute grants the Postal Service the power to issue key parts of the Rule" and that plaintiffs are likely to succeed on their claim that the rule was ultra vires.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Census Bureau proposes residence criteria for the 2030 census that would exclude some noncitizens from the apportionment count
On September 10, 2026 the Census Bureau, an agency of the Department of Commerce, published a proposed rule in the Federal Register (91 FR 57524, Docket No. 260903-0005, RIN 0607-AA75) that would add two new parts to the Code of Federal Regulations: residence criteria for the decennial census, and standards and restrictions for demographic questions on the census questionnaire. On residence, the notice states that "the Census Bureau proposes to include lawful permanent residents within the apportionment base, while excluding from the apportionment base illegal aliens and aliens whose legal status is less durable and indefinite in length than lawful permanent resident status," and says it is considering using administrative records to determine legal status. The comment period, first set to end October 13, 2026, was extended to November 2, 2026 by a notice published October 5, 2026. Al Jazeera and CNBC reported on the proposal, and CNBC reported that opponents expect litigation.
- Decennial Census of the Population of Americans; Proposed Residence Criteria and Proposed Regulations for Demographic Questions, 91 Fed. Reg. 57524 (Sept. 10, 2026) (GovInfo) ↗
- Same proposed rule, extension of comment period, 91 Fed. Reg. 63207 (Oct. 5, 2026) (GovInfo) ↗
- Trump administration proposes excluding certain immigrants from US census (September 10, 2026) ↗ News report, Al Jazeera
- CNBC report on the proposed 2030 census rule (October 13, 2026) ↗ News report, CNBC
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Latino and voting groups and the City of Denver sue over armed immigration agents at polling places
On September 10, 2026, the League of United Latin American Citizens, Common Cause, Common Cause Education Fund, UnidosUS and the City and County of Denver, Colorado filed a complaint in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia (No. 1:26-cv-03157) against the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and their leaders. The complaint alleges that the Homeland Security Secretary's statements of September 1, 2026 set a policy of authorizing armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to go to polling places, which the plaintiffs say violates 18 U.S.C. § 592, the law that bars federal officials from keeping "any troops or armed men at any place where a general or special election is held" except to repel armed enemies of the United States. No ruling is recorded in this entry.
- Complaint, League of United Latin American Citizens v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 1:26-cv-03157 (D.D.C. filed Sept. 10, 2026) (CourtListener RECAP copy) ↗
- Docket, No. 1:26-cv-03157 (D.D.C.) (CourtListener) ↗
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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First Circuit refuses to stay the Massachusetts preliminary injunction against parts of the Postal Service ballot-mail rule
On September 4, 2026, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts entered a memorandum and order granting the plaintiffs' motions for a preliminary injunction in League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump and the related states' case (Nos. 1:26-cv-11549 and 1:26-cv-13917), and the federal defendants and twelve intervening states appealed the same day. On September 10, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (Nos. 26-2029 to 26-2032) denied the motions for a stay. Its order says the district court concluded the final rule was likely unconstitutional and found it would be impossible for states to comply in the time left before November 3, and that the appellants "have failed to meet their burden for disturbing any aspect of the district court's preliminary injunction order." The Postal Service's request for an administrative stay was denied as moot.
- League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump, 1st Cir. Nos. 26-2029 to 26-2032, order of court entered September 10, 2026 (D. Mass. Doc. 296) ↗
- Docket, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump, No. 1:26-cv-11549 (D. Mass.), entries 285 to 287 (September 4, 2026) ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Federal court in Massachusetts temporarily stays parts of the Postal Service ballot-mail rule for the 2026 election
On August 27, 2026, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted in part the plaintiffs' motions for a temporary restraining order in League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump (No. 1:26-cv-11549) and State of California v. United States Postal Service (No. 1:26-cv-13917). The court granted "an emergency fourteen-day stay" of listed sections of the final rule as to elections on or before November 3, 2026, including the sections making the ballot mail envelope standards and registration in the Postal Service Federal Ballot Mail Portal mandatory, and ordered that the Postal Service defendants "may take no further preparatory steps" to implement them for those elections. The motions for preliminary injunctions remained under advisement.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Postal Service issues final rule on ballot mail for federal elections
The Postal Service's final rule "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections" was published August 26, 2026 and states that it is effective August 21, 2026. It says it responds to Executive Order 14399 and received "more than 200,000 responses" during the comment period. The rule says that, because of injunctions in two Massachusetts cases, the Postal Service "will not take actions to implement the rule specifically for the 2026 election" unless the government obtains relief from them. On September 13, 2026, a federal court in Washington granted preliminary injunctions against the rule.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Federal court in Massachusetts finds the government violated its injunction by issuing the Postal Service ballot-mail rule
On August 25, 2026, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled on an emergency motion to enforce the preliminary injunction in League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump (No. 1:26-cv-11549). The order says the Postal Service completed rulemaking on Friday evening, August 21, 2026, by sending a final rule implementing Section 3 of Executive Order 14399 to the Office of the Federal Register, although the injunction barred "initiating or completing rulemaking" for the November 3, 2026 election. The court "finds that Defendants violated the court's Preliminary Injunction but imposes no remedy other than identifying the violation."
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Supreme Court stays the Massachusetts injunction against parts of Executive Order 14399 in Trump v. California
On August 24, 2026, in No. 26A124 (with No. 26A139), the Supreme Court granted the Government's application for a stay in a per curiam opinion. The Court wrote that "the Government is likely to prevail on the merits of its argument that the District Court lacked jurisdiction to enter the judgment," because the Order "imposes no obligations on the States" and the States had not shown an injury that gives them standing. The injunction entered in No. 1:26-cv-11581 (D. Mass.) is stayed pending appeal to the First Circuit and any petition for certiorari. The Court added that its ruling "does not mean that any measure taken by the Government to implement the Order will necessarily be lawful." Justices Sotomayor and Jackson filed dissents. The application in No. 26A139 was denied as moot.
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Justice Department appeals the dismissal of its District of Columbia voter-list suit
On August 17, 2026, the United States filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit from the August 6, 2026 memorandum opinion and order denying its motion to compel records in United States v. Evans (No. 1:25-cv-04403).
- Notice of appeal, United States v. Evans (D.D.C. Aug. 17, 2026) ↗
- CourtListener docket, United States v. Evans ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Federal court in Massachusetts enjoins Postal Service implementation of Section 3 of Executive Order 14399
On August 11, 2026, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted a renewed motion for a preliminary injunction in League of Women Voters of Massachusetts v. Trump. As to elections on or before November 3, 2026, the court "ENJOINS the USPS's implementation of Section 3 of the EO."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Federal judge dismisses the Justice Department's suit for the District of Columbia's voter registration list
On August 6, 2026, Judge Randolph D. Moss of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied the United States' motion to compel in United States v. Evans (No. 1:25-cv-04403), dismissed the case, and denied the defendants' and intervenors' motions to dismiss as moot, stating that the order was a final judgment. The order refers to a memorandum opinion filed the same day. The lead defendant is Monica H. Evans, executive director of the District of Columbia Board of Elections.
- Order, United States v. Evans (D.D.C. Aug. 6, 2026) ↗
- CourtListener docket, United States v. Evans ↗
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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House passes bill with a photo-ID voting requirement; Senate cloture vote fails, 53-47, on September 30, 2026
On July 22, 2026, the House passed H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, by 232 to 198 (Roll no. 280). Section 3 of the House-passed text is titled "Requiring voters to provide photo identification." On September 30, 2026, the Senate voted 53 to 47 on cloture on the motion to proceed, and the bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 253).
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Watson v. Republican National Committee
On June 29, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "The federal election-day statutes do not prevent Mississippi from counting absentee ballots postmarked by election day but received up to five days thereafter; nothing in the federal election-day statutes requires ballots to be received by election day."
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Federal court in Massachusetts declares parts of Executive Order 14399 void in a suit by states
On June 25, 2026, Judge Indira Talwani of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted summary judgment to a group of states and the District of Columbia. The court ordered and declared that "Sections 2 and 3 of the EO are legally void as they are ultra vires and unconstitutionally violate the separation of powers, and that Section 5 of the EO is merely precatory," and enjoined agencies from implementing Sections 2 and 3 for the November 3, 2026 or any earlier federal election in the plaintiff states.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Postal Service proposes a rule on ballot mail for federal elections
On June 2, 2026, the Postal Service published a proposed rule, "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections," to amend its Domestic Mail Manual on the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections. The final rule says the comment period closed on July 2, 2026.
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (proposed rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 32915 (GovInfo) ↗
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (final rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 54966 (GovInfo) ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Federal court in Washington denies preliminary injunctions against Executive Order 14399
On May 28, 2026, Judge Carl Nichols of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia denied motions for preliminary injunctions in three consolidated cases against Executive Order 14399. On the postal-rulemaking provision the court wrote that, because the Postal Service had not yet issued a proposed rule, "Plaintiffs' claims are not ripe."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Supreme Court vacates the Eighth Circuit judgment in Turtle Mountain v. Howe and remands in light of Louisiana v. Callais
On May 18, 2026, the Supreme Court granted the petition in No. 25-253, vacated the Eighth Circuit's judgment and remanded the case for further consideration in light of Louisiana v. Callais. Justice Jackson dissented, writing that the case "presents only the question of Section 2's private enforceability, which our decision in Louisiana v. Callais ... did not address," and that she would summarily reverse. The docket records the Court's judgment as issued on June 22, 2026.
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Louisiana v. Callais
On April 29, 2026, after reargument on October 15, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court held: "Because the Voting Rights Act did not require Louisiana to create an additional majority-minority district, no compelling interest justified the State's use of race in creating SB8, and that map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander."
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14399 on citizenship verification and mail ballots
Executive Order 14399, "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections," is dated March 31, 2026 and was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2026. Section 2 directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to each state a "State Citizenship List." Section 3 directs the Postmaster General to begin a rulemaking on mail-in and absentee ballots within 60 days. Courts later enjoined parts of the Postal Service rule that followed.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Justice Department's voter roll lawsuits reach 29 states and the District of Columbia
On February 26, 2026, the Justice Department announced lawsuits against Utah, Oklahoma, Kentucky, West Virginia and New Jersey over their full voter registration lists. Court outcomes in the individual suits are not recorded in this entry. The release says this "brings the Justice Department's nationwide total to 29 states and the District of Columbia."
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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House passes SAVE America Act text as an amendment to S. 1383, 218-213
On February 11, 2026, the House passed S. 1383 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, by 218 to 213 (Roll no. 69). The House-passed text is titled the "SAVE America Act." On March 17, 2026, the Senate agreed 51 to 48 to a motion to proceed to the House message on S. 1383 (Record Vote 57). On March 21, 2026, a cloture vote on a related motion was "not invoked" by 41 to 49 (Record Vote 61). The bill record lists no final Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Bost v. Illinois State Board of Elections
On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "As a candidate for office, Congressman Bost has standing to challenge the rules that govern the counting of votes in his election."
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
2025
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Postal Service adds a Domestic Mail Manual section defining postmarks
On November 24, 2025, the Postal Service published a final rule adding section 608.11, "Postmarks and Postal Possession," to the Domestic Mail Manual, effective December 24, 2025. It says the new language "does not change any existing postal operations or postmarking practices" and is intended to improve public understanding of postmarks and the date of mailing.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Federal court permanently bars the Election Assistance Commission from implementing Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14248
On October 31, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted partial summary judgment to the plaintiffs and permanently enjoined the Election Assistance Commission, its commissioners and its executive director from implementing Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14248. The court wrote that "this Court holds that the President lacks the authority to direct such changes" to federal election procedures.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Justice Department announces it will monitor polling sites in six California and New Jersey counties
On October 24, 2025, the Justice Department announced that it would monitor polling sites ahead of the November 4, 2025 general election in six jurisdictions: Passaic County, New Jersey, and Kern, Riverside, Fresno, Orange and Los Angeles counties, California. The release says the Civil Rights Division would deploy personnel who would coordinate with U.S. Attorney's Offices.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Justice Department sues Oregon and Maine for statewide voter registration lists
On September 16, 2025, the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division announced lawsuits against Oregon and Maine and their secretaries of state, alleging violations of the National Voter Registration Act, the Help America Vote Act and the Civil Rights Act of 1960 by refusing to provide unredacted statewide voter registration lists and information on voter list maintenance. Court outcomes in the individual suits are not recorded in this entry.
Source last checked Oct 24, 2026
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Supreme Court stays Eighth Circuit mandate in Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Howe
On July 24, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court granted an application in No. 25A62, staying the issuance of the mandate of the Eighth Circuit in No. 23-3655 pending the filing and disposition of a petition for certiorari. Justices Thomas, Alito and Gorsuch would have denied it. The applicants wrote that "private plaintiffs can no longer enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in the Eighth Circuit" as a result of the decision below. Later steps in the case are not recorded in this entry.
- Docket 25A62, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Howe (U.S. Supreme Court) ↗
- Application for stay, No. 25A62 (U.S. Supreme Court docket) ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Federal court in Massachusetts blocks parts of Executive Order 14248 in a suit by 19 states
On June 13, 2025, Judge Denise Casper of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts granted a preliminary injunction in a suit by attorneys general of nineteen states. The court enjoined implementation of Sections 2(a), 2(d), 3(d), 7(a) and 7(b) of Executive Order 14248, and said the injunction as to Sections 2(a), 2(d) and 3(d) applies as to all states.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Eighth Circuit holds private plaintiffs cannot use Section 1983 to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act
On May 14, 2025, a divided Eighth Circuit panel in Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians v. Howe, No. 23-3655, wrote that "private plaintiffs" cannot "maintain a private right of action for alleged violations of § 2 through 42 U.S.C. § 1983." It vacated the North Dakota district court's judgment and remanded with instructions that the case be dismissed for want of a cause of action. Chief Judge Colloton dissented, writing that he would affirm the district court's judgment. The panel relied on its 2023 decision in Arkansas State Conference NAACP v. Arkansas Board of Apportionment, which held that Section 2 has no implied private right of action.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
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Federal court in Washington blocks parts of Executive Order 14248
On April 24, 2025, Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia granted preliminary injunctions in three consolidated cases. The court enjoined the Election Assistance Commission from implementing Section 2(a) of Executive Order 14248 (documentary proof of citizenship on the federal voter registration form) and enjoined certain agencies from implementing Section 2(d). It denied the motions as to Sections 2(b), 7(a) and 7(b).
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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House passes SAVE Act, 220-208; Senate does not act
On April 10, 2025, the House passed H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, by 220 to 208 (Roll no. 102). The bill was received in the Senate the same day; the bill record lists no later action, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14248 on federal elections
Executive Order 14248, "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," is dated March 25, 2025 and was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025. Section 2 is titled "Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections," Section 4 "Improving the Election Assistance Commission," and Section 7 "Compliance with Federal Law Setting the National Election Day." Courts later enjoined parts of it.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2024
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Supreme Court decides Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP
On May 23, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "The District Court's finding that race predominated in the design of District 1 in the Enacted Plan was clearly erroneous" in a challenge to South Carolina's congressional map.
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Trump v. Anderson
On March 4, 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "Because the Constitution makes Congress, rather than the States, responsible for enforcing Section 3 against federal officeholders and candidates, the Colorado Supreme Court erred in ordering former President Trump excluded from Colorado's 2024 Presidential primary ballot."
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2023
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Supreme Court decides Moore v. Harper
On June 27, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "The Elections Clause does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review." The case arose from a challenge to North Carolina's congressional map.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Allen v. Milligan
On June 8, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a lower court's finding that voters had shown a reasonable likelihood of success in claiming that the congressional map Alabama adopted for its 2022 elections (HB1) violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The lower court had preliminarily barred Alabama from using that map.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2022
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Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 becomes law
Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, signed December 29, 2022) may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022." Title I may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Senate cloture on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act fails, 49-51
On January 19, 2022, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 9). The bill record also lists a motion by Senator Schumer to appeal the ruling of the chair as "not agreed to," on the question "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the Senate," by 52 to 48 (Record Vote 10). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2021
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Senate vote to begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act fails, 49-51
On October 20, 2021, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. The bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 420). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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House passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; Senate cloture vote on November 3, 2021 is 50-49 and fails
On August 24, 2021, the House passed H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, by 219 to 212 (Roll no. 260). On November 3, 2021, a Senate vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the companion bill, S. 4, was 50 to 49 and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 459). Neither bill became law.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Census Bureau releases 2020 redistricting data for states
On August 12, 2021, the Census Bureau released the 2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File, which it described as delivering data for states to begin redistricting. On September 16, 2021, it released the same data in an easier-to-use format on data.census.gov and delivered a toolkit to states.
- Census Bureau press release CB21-CN.55, August 12, 2021 ↗
- Census Bureau press release CB21-CN.63, September 16, 2021 ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Supreme Court decides Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee
On July 1, 2021, the U.S. Supreme Court held that "Arizona's out-of-precinct policy and HB 2023 do not violate § 2 of the VRA, and HB 2023 was not enacted with a racially discriminatory purpose." The case concerned rules on counting ballots cast in the wrong precinct and on who may collect early ballots.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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Census Bureau announces 2020 Census apportionment results
On April 26, 2021, the Census Bureau announced that the 2020 Census resident population of the United States on April 1, 2020 was 331,449,281, and that Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo delivered the population counts used for apportionment of the U.S. House to the President.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
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For the People Act of 2021 passes the House; Senate committee discharge vote is 50-49 and the bill stalls
On March 3, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, by 220 to 210 (Roll no. 62). On June 22, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 50 (Roll call 246) on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2093, the For the People Act of 2021, which required 3/5 of the Senate; the Senate roll call records the result as "Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected." On August 11, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 49 to discharge its Rules and Administration Committee from the companion bill, S. 1 (Roll call 358). The bill records list no Senate vote on passage, and neither bill became law.
- H.R. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- S. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 117th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 246 (June 22, 2021) ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
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Election Assistance Commission adopts Voluntary Voting System Guidelines 2.0
The Election Assistance Commission says that on February 10, 2021 its commissioners unanimously adopted version 2.0 of the Voluntary Voting System Guidelines, the specifications against which voting systems are tested. The EAC says it stopped using versions 1.0 and 1.1 to certify voting systems as of November 16, 2023, and that previously certified systems are not decertified by that change.
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2020
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Supreme Court denies Texas's motion to file a suit over other states' 2020 election procedures
On December 11, 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered in Texas v. Pennsylvania: "The State of Texas's motion for leave to file a bill of complaint is denied for lack of standing under Article III of the Constitution. Texas has not demonstrated a judicially cognizable interest in the manner in which another State conducts its elections."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · Back to the 2026 voting center.