Gov. Tate Reeves of Mississippi announced Wednesday he will cancel a scheduled special legislative session set for next week to redraw the state’s Supreme Court districts. Reeves said the state will revisit congressional redistricting at a later date, though he did not specify when.
The governor cited the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision to overturn a federal judge’s order requiring the state to redraw districts found to dilute Black voting power. Reeves said the appellate court’s ruling means the litigation over districts remains unresolved, as parties have filed a joint request to remand the case for further legal review.
Reeves, a Republican, expressed confidence that Mississippi will redraw its congressional districts before the 2027 elections. He also mentioned working with the Trump administration to determine the timing of future redistricting efforts. The governor criticized recent political pressures to include congressional redistricting in the canceled session, noting the complexity of the issue.
Mississippi has already held primary elections for congressional seats, which would need to be nullified and redone if districts are redrawn in time for the November midterms. Reeves warned that canceling primaries could set a national precedent, potentially disrupting the midterm election landscape and benefiting Republican districts nationwide.
House Speaker Jason White announced a bipartisan redistricting committee will study the issue over the summer and fall. Reeves referenced comments from officials, including state Auditor Shad White, advocating for district changes, and said some political figures may not fully grasp the complexity of redistricting.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
