Votes, Voters, and Federal Probes: Primary Season Kicks Off with a Win and a Warning - Democracy in the States Roundup

Jun 06, 2026

a flag on a palm tree — Photo by Lesli Whitecotton on Unsplash

It’s Friday, June 5, 2026, and time for your Democracy in the States’ Weekly Roundup.

Let’s start with the good news! Yesterday, the U.S. Senate rejected the SAVE America Act, dealing a blow to President Donald Trump’s push for new voting restrictions ahead of the November midterm elections. The 48-50 vote highlighted Republican divisions on the issue, as the bill would have required voters to present proof of citizenship to register, mandated photo ID at the polls, and sharply curtailed registration drives.

While that particular election-overhaul threat has passed (or paused), there are many more to watch at the state and federal levels.

The redistricting war intensified further this week as the U.S. Supreme Court allowed Alabama to use its 2023 congressional map in the August primary, overturning a lower court ruling that found the map racially discriminatory. On a separate front, the NAACP filed a motion alleging that a new USPS rule advancing Trump’s mail-voting agenda violates an existing court settlement, while the Trump DOJ continued staffing its voting section with lawyers who worked to overturn the 2020 election and fighting states over voter roll access.

All of this coincided with six additional state primaries this week, which together represent the first major multi-state test of the 2026 midterm cycle. We’re covering these developments and more state-level changes to redistricting, voting rights, the 2026 primaries, state courts and legislation, and the downstream effects of federal policy changes below.

Primary Season

Six states — California, Iowa, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, and South Dakota — held primaries on Tuesday. While California may have drawn the most national attention, Montana delivered the biggest surprise.

MONTANA: Eight incumbent Republican lawmakers lost their primary races to challengers from within their own party. Notable losses included Senate Majority Whip Barry Usher and Sen. Shelley Vance, the only member of “The Nine” up for reelection, who lost her seat by a wide margin. In the House, six incumbents, including Freedom Caucus member Nelly Nicol, were ousted by more conservative newcomers.
CALIFORNIA: Federal authorities have launched investigations related to California’s recent elections after President Trump made unsubstantiated claims of fraud, including accusations that Democrats are “trying to steal” the primary. The probes began as a federal prosecutor visited a Los Angeles County ballot processing center. Ballots postmarked by election day and received within seven days remain valid under state law.
CALIFORNIA: Mainstream Democrats lead in California’s all-party congressional primaries. Among the races that could decide the House majority, progressive Randy Villegas is edging out moderate Jasmeet Bains in the 22nd District for the chance to take on vulnerable Republican Rep. David Valadao.
CALIFORNIA: Incumbent Mayor Karen Bass is projected to advance to the Los Angeles mayoral November runoff, with Trump-backed reality TV personality Spencer Pratt holding a less-than-4-point lead over Councilmember Nithya Raman for the second spot.
IOWA: U.S. Rep. Randy Feenstra concedes to Zach Lahn in 2026 Iowa GOP gubernatorial primary. Feenstra is the second Trump-endorsed candidate to lose a primary outright in 2026. U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, who also received Trump’s endorsement, won the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate.
NEW MEXICO: Deb Haaland, the first Native American woman elected to Congress and former Biden Interior Secretary, won the Democratic gubernatorial primary decisively over Democrat Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, as Republican Gregg Hull, former longtime mayor of Rio Rancho, secured the GOP nomination.
SOUTH DAKOTA: No candidate cleared the 35% threshold in the Republican gubernatorial primary, sending Gov. Larry Rhoden and businessman Toby Doeden to the state’s first-ever statewide runoff for a party’s gubernatorial nomination. The winner will face Democrat Dan Ahlers in November.
NEW JERSEY: Democrats nominated Rebecca Bennett in the 7th Congressional District to challenge Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr., who has missed over 100 votes since early March, in a race that could control the House. Rep. LaMonica McIver easily won her primary despite federal charges from an immigration protest, and Democrat Zack Mullock won the 2nd District primary to challenge Rep. Jeff Van Drew, who switched to become a Republican in 2019.

Redistricting

The Alabama congressional maps are just one front in a multi-state, multi-district fight to redraw lines and move cases through courts before 2026 Midterm ballots are locked in.

ALABAMA: Supreme Court allows Alabama to use 2023 congressional map in August special primary.
ALABAMA: Federal appeals court allows Alabama to use 2021 state Senate map.
LOUISIANA: Litigation looms as Louisiana Legislature approves new congressional map.
FLORIDA: Pro-voting groups ask Florida Supreme Court to block GOP gerrymander.
WISCONSIN: Wisconsin Supreme Court agrees to hear congressional maps lawsuit.
WASHINGTON: WA urges US Supreme Court to take redistricting case.

Election Administration and Voting Rights

As the Trump DOJ continues fighting in multiple states to access voter rolls, a New Jersey civil rights coalition tells the court the government's moves are a “means of intimidation” reminiscent of poll taxes and literacy tests.

ARIZONA: DOJ will keep fighting for Arizona voter database after Trump-appointed judge tossed its case.
RHODE ISLAND: Trump administration files appeal in Rhode Island voter data privacy case.
NEW HAMPSHIRE: Ahead of midterms, federal court strikes down NH proof-of-citizenship voter registration law.
VIRGINIA: Virginia agrees to make voter registration easier for college students.
NORTH CAROLINA: A GOP county elections board member said he was warned against voting for a campus polling site.
OHIO: Ohio photo voter ID amendment prompts pushback across political spectrum.
GEORGIA: State Election Board passes non-binding resolution allowing counties to switch to hand-marked ballots.
CALIFORNIA: Election denier likely loses job in Shasta County. But voters back hand-counting ballots.
OKLAHOMA: Advocates challenge the rejection of Oklahoma open primaries initiative petition.
ARIZONA: Mayes will go back to the grand jury after Arizona Supreme Court doesn’t revive fake electors case.
NEBRASKA: A new era for Nebraska elections is coming as voters reject incumbent Secretary of State and top election official, setting the stage for a high-stakes contest.

States and Federal Policy Changes

States are absorbing the downstream consequences of federal budget decisions, from Jan. 1 Medicaid work requirement deadlines to cuts affecting foster care, school funding, and rural health insurance coverage.

KENTUCKY: KY gov announces foster care, Medicaid reimbursement, other program cuts.
WISCONSIN: Advocates say feds’ Medicaid work rule could make qualifying for healthcare needlessly hard.
MINNESOTA: In rush to meet federal deadline, Minnesota cuts funding to 60% of providers in 13 Medicaid programs.
CALIFORNIA: Medi-Cal cuts, tax increases loom as Capitol lawmakers dicker over the budget.
WASHINGTON: Where Affordable Care Act insurance coverage has dropped most in WA.
IDAHO: Conservation groups speak out after Trump repeals off-road vehicle regulations on public land.
VIRGINIA: Virginia budget impasse threatens school funding, poses potential staffing challenges.

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