Federal Court Orders Mississippi to Add New Black-Majority Districts

The Magnolia State must include more black-majority districts in both state Senate and House races, the court ruled.

A voter sits at a poll kiosk at a Mississippi Second Congressional District Primary election precinct, in Jackson, Miss., on June 7, 2022. Rogelio V. Solis/AP Photo

A federal court ruled on July 2 that Mississippi must redraw its state legislative districting map to include more black-majority districts in both Senate and House races.

A three-judge panel on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi issued an order that strikes down the state’s 2022 redistricting maps for electing members of the state legislature on the premise that they diluted black voting strength in violation of federal law.