Mississippi lawmakers failed to meet a Monday night deadline to redraw the state’s Supreme Court districts, likely leaving the task to a federal judge. The legislature’s inability to agree on the district maps means a federal court may order new boundaries, according to sources.
The dispute stems from a 2023 ruling by U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock, who found that the current districts violate the Voting Rights Act by unfairly limiting Black voters’ influence. Despite the ruling, lawmakers did not pass legislation to address the concerns before the session concluded Tuesday, leaving the maps unchanged since 1987.
Sen. Brice Wiggins, R-Pascagoula, said ongoing appeals related to redistricting played a role in the legislature’s inaction. The American Civil Liberties Union, Southern Poverty Law Center, and other groups sued the state over the districts, arguing they disenfranchise Black voters. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has paused proceedings until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a related Voting Rights Act case.
If lawmakers do not approve a new map, Judge Aycock ordered attorneys to notify her within a week after session’s end to determine next steps. This inaction continues a pattern where no Black individual has been elected to Mississippi’s Supreme Court without gubernatorial appointment, and no Black justice from other districts has served on the court.
In addition to redistricting issues, the legislature passed several other bills. Both chambers approved measures increasing Mississippi’s role in immigration enforcement, sending them to Republican Gov. Tate Reeves for consideration. The bills include criminalizing illegal entry into the state and requiring cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
Legislation also advanced related to education policy, notably a bill modifying rules for school counselors. The bill, originally requiring counselors to follow a national code of ethics, was amended to allow the Mississippi Department of Education to develop its own policies. Lawmakers hope to finalize the bill soon, pending full votes in both chambers.
Finally, the legislature approved funding measures to aid recovery from Winter Storm Fern, including over $122 million for various agencies. These bills now await the governor’s signature.
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
