MLBC Redistricting Update: Our Voices. Our Power. Our Future.

MLBC
5 days ago
2 min read

Mississippi is once again facing important decisions about how our political districts—and ultimately our political power—may be shaped.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, state leaders have created separate House and Senate Select Committees as well as a Joint Redistricting and Reapportionment Committee to examine possible mid-decade redistricting.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus wants Mississippians to understand one important point: the Callais decision does not require Mississippi to redraw its legislative or congressional districts right now.

Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act remains in effect. It continues to prohibit discriminatory voting maps that dilute minority voting strength and prevent Black voters from having a fair opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

Mississippi is approximately 38% Black, yet only one of the state's four congressional districts provides Black voters an opportunity to elect a candidate of choice. Black representation also remains disproportionately low in the Mississippi Senate and on the Mississippi Supreme Court. Going backward should not be an option.

If Mississippi Redistricts, Mississippi Must Be Heard

Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Kabir Karriem, House Minority Leader Robert Johnson, and Senate Minority Leader Derrick Simmons have called on legislative leadership to ensure that any consideration of mid-decade redistricting meets the highest standards of transparency and public participation. See our letter below.

We are calling for:

Joint House and Senate meetings so the redistricting process operates under consistent rules and procedures.
Community hearings across Mississippi that are publicly announced, accessible, and livestreamed.
Multiple open committee hearings where lawmakers and the public can hear from experts and community members.
Meaningful public input before decisions are made—not after maps have already been drawn.
Public release of proposed maps, data, findings, and committee reports with enough time for Mississippians to understand and respond to them.
Transparency about who draws the maps, what data are used, how decisions are made, and why particular maps are accepted or rejected.

Redistricting determines much more than where a line appears on a map. Those lines determine which communities vote together, who has the opportunity to represent them, and who holds political power. That political power influences decisions about education, healthcare, infrastructure, economic development, public safety, voting rights, and the allocation of public resources.

This Is Your Government. Stay Engaged.

The Mississippi Legislative Black Caucus will continue to monitor the Legislature's redistricting activities and keep communities informed. We will also host town halls and organize convenings with community, faith, civil rights, and other partners to educate Mississippians about redistricting, representation, and how they can participate in the process.

Here's what you can do:

Show up at public hearings.
Pay attention to proposed maps.
Speak up and speak out.
Talk about redistricting in your churches, neighborhoods, organizations, workplaces, and families.
Check your voter registration status and make sure you are an active voter.
And when Election Day comes, VOTE.