NPR News: 05-26-2026 11AM EDT

Korva Coleman· Host0:00

Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Korva Coleman. A three-judge federal court has blocked the state of Alabama from using a new congressional map. It would get rid of one majority Black congressional district. Alabama lawmakers have been trying to redraw the state's map even before the U.S. Supreme Court gutted a key section of the Voting Rights Act in April. Today, the three-judge federal court said the new Alabama map discriminates against Black voters on purpose and cannot be used for this year's midterm elections. The state says it will appeal. The South Carolina State Senate could decide today whether to redraw the state's congressional map there. The Republican-led chamber voted over the weekend to advance a new map. The state's primary is on June ninth, and today is the first day of early voting. It's not clear if some votes cast today in South Carolina will count. Texas Republicans are voting today in the most expensive Senate primary in history. NPR's Claudia Grisales reports State Attorney General Ken Paxton is challenging incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn.

Claudia Grisales1:07

Paxton, a controversial MAGA loyalist, drew President Trump's endorsement over Cornyn. Here's Paxton celebrating with supporters at a rally in the Houston suburb of Katy, Texas.

Ken Paxton· Soundbite1:18

We're going to change this country, and we're gonna go help Donald Trump get it done.

Claudia Grisales1:22

Cornyn is warning his party a Paxton nomination could open the door for Democrats to win the seat.

John Cornyn· Soundbite1:28

This would be the first chance