Reeves Plans to Scrap Mississippi's 1 Majority-Black House District by 2027
Updated
Updated · Democracy Docket · May 13
Reeves Plans to Scrap Mississippi's 1 Majority-Black House District by 2027
10 articles · Updated · Democracy Docket · May 13
Mississippi Republicans aim to redraw the state’s four congressional districts before the 2027 elections, with Gov. Tate Reeves saying the lone majority-Black seat held by Bennie Thompson will be eliminated.
Reeves ruled out an immediate remap before the 2026 midterms because congressional primaries have already been held, making a special-session overhaul more disruptive.
On radio and later on social media, Reeves said lawmakers should revisit congressional, legislative and judicial maps and draw them explicitly around partisanship.
The push follows last month’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which critics say weakened Voting Rights Act protections and opened the door to diluting Black voting power across the South.
Mississippi, where Black residents make up 38% of the population, has only one majority-Black congressional district, making the fight central to Black representation in the state.
How has a recent Supreme Court ruling redefined the legal fight over fair voting maps across the United States?
What does the future of community representation look like now that standards for drawing electoral maps have changed?
Redistricting Mississippi: Supreme Court Ruling Endangers State’s Sole Majority-Black Congressional District and Sets National Precedent
Overview
Mississippi is at a turning point as state leaders, led by Governor Tate Reeves, signal plans to dismantle the state’s only majority-Black congressional district. This move, driven by strengthened Republican control across the South, threatens Black representation and could set a national precedent. Since Mississippi has already held its 2026 congressional primaries, redrawing districts would require nullifying these results and holding new elections, a process that could disrupt the entire midterm landscape. The situation highlights the high stakes for minority representation and the potential for far-reaching political and legal consequences.