The Brennan Center analyzes surprising turnout in the 2026 midterms, citing political scientist Michael McDonald's claim that it was the second-highest midterm rate since 1914. Its authors say turnout rose as much as 10 percentage points in formerly precleared majority-minority counties—possibly from anger over Louisiana v. Callais—Black turnout in Georgia surged while white turnout fell, the white-Black gap hit a 20-year midterm low, and Congress should recommit to protecting minority voters' rights.