By Brian Lyman | Editor
“It’s the one thing as Americans I think should be a responsibility that we have to do. I don’t think it should be optional. We’re allowing 7% of the people to determine who’s going to represent us in Washington. That’s not a good show, because I promise you more than 7% are going to call with problems and issues.” - former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, R-Mobile, on voting
Republican voters in Alabama's 1st Congressional District will choose between (left to right) former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl, John Mills and Austin Sidwell for the party's nomination in a special primary election on Aug. 11.(Photos courtesy of candidates; Photo illustration by Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
ELECTIONS 2026
By Anna Barrett
Three Republican candidates are seeking their party’s nomination in the newly-redrawn 1st Congressional District, centered on Mobile. Former U.S. Rep. Jerry Carl is seeking to reclaim his seat and faces Navy veteran John Mills and Austin Sidwell, who works for his family’s security company. The candidates have all expressed concerns that turnout for the Aug. 11 primary could be lower than even the June 16 primary runoff, where only 10% of voters cast ballots.
A mail-in ballot dropbox on P Street Northwest in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. (Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)
ELECTIONS 2026
By David Lightman
President Donald Trump last week fired two Democrats from the Election Assistance Board, created in 2002 to help states establish voter registration and voting systems. Activists see the move as Trump’s latest attempt to to influence elections to benefit Republicans ahead of the midterms. The commission would not alter a national voter registration form to include proof of citizenship, as Trump wanted.
The clock tower of William J. Samford Hall at Auburn University, as seen on March 28, 2026, in Auburn, Alabama. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
COMMENTARY
By Brian Lyman
The Auburn University Board of Trustees last month voted to dissolve its faculty senate and take more direct control of curricula. In my column this week, I write that the board’s move is the latest in a series of weak and inadequate responses from Alabama university leadership to ongoing attacks on the independence and academic integrity of higher education in the state, one that will only encourage additional assaults.
ICYMI
South Carolina US Sen. Lindsey Graham dies after a ‘brief and sudden illness’ | Jane Norman, DC Bureau
Trump administration targets state AI laws over ideology | Robbie Sequeira, Stateline
In deep red Idaho, support for ballot question on abortion access is spread across party lines | Kelcie Moseley-Morris, Stateline
Thanks for reading First Look. Did you know our weekend digest is also free? Sign up here. And if you enjoyed today’s edition, please forward to a friend. Increasing our readership helps us cover more news.