Mississippi begins redistricting process after Supreme Court ruling

Mississippi lawmakers took initial steps Monday to redraw legislative, congressional, and judicial districts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened minority voting protections. The Joint Redistricting and Reapportionment Committee, composed of House members and senators, met at the state Capitol for the first time since the decision in Louisiana v. Callais.

The committee plans to hold eight public hearings across the state over the next two months. During these sessions, officials will gather input from residents on how districts should be adjusted in light of the ruling. The committee also voted to hire attorneys from Butler Snow to serve as general counsel.

Republican Sen. Dean Kirby of Pearl was elected chairman, and Republican Rep. Noah Sanford of Collins was named vice chair. Lieutenant Governor Delbert Hosemann declined to specify which districts might be prioritized or whether districts will be redrawn at all, saying only that the committee will conduct its work and hear from the public.

Some voting rights advocates criticized the process. Amir Badat, Southern states director for Fair Fight Action, called the hearings a “sham” and accused the committee of attempting to diminish Black political power. Badat said no amount of public meetings could change what he called the committee’s intent to weaken majority-Black districts.

The hearings follow a voting rights town hall organized Saturday by Scott Colom, Mississippi’s Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate. The event at Farish Street Baptist Church in Jackson drew about 100 attendees, who were encouraged to register and vote in record numbers. Democratic U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks of Maryland emphasized the importance of protecting voting rights, citing historic struggles such as John Lewis’s civil rights efforts.

If the committee considers redistricting for Congress, Rep. Bennie Thompson, the state’s only Black member in Washington, is likely to be targeted by the predominantly Republican Legislature. Some Republicans, including State Auditor Shad White, have called for dismantling Thompson’s district, which covers parts of Jackson and the Delta.

Thompson stated Saturday that his team will monitor the hearings and hopes lawmakers will be transparent and receptive to public input. The scheduled hearings will take place at various locations, including Tupelo, Senatobia, Cleveland, Natchez, Meridian, Hattiesburg, Gulfport, and Jackson, with the first set for Aug. 18 at Itawamba Community College in Tupelo.

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