May 1, 2025 Story by: Publisher
Civil rights attorneys representing the Mississippi NAACP are urging a federal court to reject the state’s latest Senate redistricting proposal, arguing that it fails to comply with a 2024 federal mandate to protect Black voting strength. The objections center on the court-ordered creation of majority-Black legislative districts and the state’s alleged failure to deliver fair representation, particularly in DeSoto County and the North Delta.
The NAACP filed formal objections on April 29, 2025, arguing that the State Board of Election Commissioners’ (SBEC) proposed Senate map “falls short” of the court’s requirements. While the SBEC plan includes two majority-Black districts—Senate District 2 and Senate District 11—civil rights attorneys contend that the design of these districts continues to dilute Black electoral power.
In Senate District 2, the new map creates a slim Black majority but retains white Republican incumbent David Parker. The NAACP argues that this undermines the likelihood of a Black-preferred candidate winning the seat. Meanwhile, Senate District 11, though slightly improved, remains narrowly above 50% Black—far less than the majority required to secure fair representation. The NAACP’s alternative proposal would give Black voters a stronger chance of electing their candidate of choice.
Another major point of contention: the SBEC plan does not create any new open seats or force incumbent matchups. According to the NAACP, this preserves the existing power structure and ignores the court’s mandate to expand opportunities for Black electoral success.
Legal Background and Timeline of Mississippi Senate Redistricting
The legal battle over Mississippi’s redistricting began in December 2022, when the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP and several voters filed a federal lawsuit (NAACP v. SBEC). They argued that the redistricting plan adopted by the state Legislature that year diluted Black voting power, violating federal voting rights protections.
In 2024, a three-judge federal panel—composed of Judges Jordan, Ozerden, and Fifth Circuit Judge Southwick—ruled in favor of the plaintiffs. The court rejected the Legislature’s map and ordered lawmakers to redraw districts in a way that would create new majority-Black districts and better reflect the state’s demographics.
In early 2025, the Legislature responded by adopting a remedial redistricting plan for both the House and Senate. This plan included amendments to several districts and the creation of two new majority-Black Senate districts, both with no incumbents—intended to increase Black electoral opportunities.
By mid-April 2025, the revised map was submitted to the court. Public hearings followed in Jackson, Mississippi, where both the NAACP/ACLU and state officials presented arguments. The NAACP accepted changes made in the Hattiesburg area but objected to changes in northeast Mississippi and DeSoto County, claiming the revisions still failed to provide meaningful opportunities for Black voters to elect candidates of their choice.
On April 29, 2025, NAACP attorneys formally asked the federal panel to reject the State Board of Election Commissioners’ (SBEC) proposed map for DeSoto County. They argued the new proposal “falls short” of the court’s 2024 mandate and criticized it for maintaining structures that protect white incumbents, rather than creating new, open majority-Black districts.
Once the court issues its decision on the map, either party may appeal, and both sides have the right to bring the case before the U.S. Supreme Court, if necessary.
If the federal three-judge panel accepts either party’s map, a series of court-supervised special elections will follow:
- May 12, 2025: Deadline to finalize precinct assignments for new districts
- June 2–9, 2025: Candidate qualifying period
- June 13, 2025: Deadline to submit candidate lists
- June 21, 2025: UOCAVA absentee voting opens for primaries
- August 5, 2025: Special Primary Election
- September 2, 2025: Special Primary Runoff (if necessary)
- September 20, 2025: UOCAVA absentee voting begins for general election
- November 4, 2025: Special General Election
These elections will fill seats based on the final court-approved redistricting plan. However, either side can appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court.
The current legal battle stems from a 2022 lawsuit filed by the Mississippi NAACP and other voters, claiming the state’s redistricting plan diluted Black voting power. In 2024, a federal court agreed and ordered the Legislature to redraw its maps. The Legislature responded in early 2025 with a remedial plan that the SBEC later modified.
The NAACP continues to argue that only maps with new, open majority-Black districts—without incumbent advantages—will fulfill the court’s ruling and the Voting Rights Act. As the case nears resolution, its outcome could shape Mississippi’s political landscape and representation for years to come.
Source: Mississippi Clarion Ledger
