Mississippi Governor Announces Special Session for Judicial Redistricting After Supreme Court Ruling
Special session to redraw Mississippi Supreme Court districts will convene 21 days after high court decides Louisiana v. Callais case affecting Voting Rights Act Section 2
Quick Look
- Mississippi Gov.
- Tate Reeves announced Friday he will call a special legislative session for judicial redistricting once the U.S.
- Supreme Court rules on Louisiana v.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Mississippi was ordered by a federal judge last August to redraw its Supreme Court electoral map after the court found the existing boundaries violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voters' political power. The case hinges on the Supreme Court's pending decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which could either preserve or eliminate the ability of minority voters to challenge discriminatory election maps.
JACKSON, Miss. -- Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves on Friday announced he will call a special session for judicial redistricting once the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a Voting Rights Act case that has broad implications for minority representation throughout the country.
During oral arguments last fall, the Supreme Court appeared poised to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which has been used to counter racially discriminatory election practices. A decision in the case, Louisiana v. Callais, is expected before the court's term ends in June.
Overturning Section 2 would give state legislatures and local governments the opportunity to redraw maps while preventing minority voters from challenging ones that dilute their influence.
A decision wiping out a pillar of the 1965 Voting Rights Act could help Republicans gain seats in the U.S. House by eliminating Democratic-leaning districts that are majority Black or Latino, especially in the South. Most of those redraws would not happen in time for this year's midterm elections.
The special session proclamation, signed by Reeves on Thursday, relates to a specific case involving judicial districts for the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Last August, a federal judge ordered Mississippi to redraw its Supreme Court electoral map after finding it violated Section 2 by diluting the power of Black voters.
In his proclamation, Reeves wrote that the lack of a ruling in the Louisiana case "deprived the Mississippi Legislature of its undisputed federally recognized right' to remedy the Section 2 violation.
The governor in a social media post said he hoped the Supreme Court "will reaffirm the animating principle that all Americans are created equal." He said the Legislature will convene the special session 21 days after the Supreme Court issues its ruling in the Louisiana case.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Mississippi Legislature will convene special session to redraw Supreme Court districts within 21 days of Supreme Court ruling
Very likely · Within weeks
If Section 2 is upheld, Mississippi will proceed with redrawing maps to comply with federal judge's order
Very likely · Within months
If Section 2 is struck down, similar redistricting challenges across the South will likely be dismissed
Likely · Within months
Open Questions
- Will the Supreme Court strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act?
- How will the new Mississippi Supreme Court districts be drawn?
- Will the redrawn maps be ready for the next election cycle?
