Mississippi Governor to Call Special Session for Redistricting

Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has announced plans to call a special legislative session aimed at redrawing district lines. This decision comes in light of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that could potentially alter electoral maps nationwide.

On Friday, Reeves shared a post on social media indicating he would convene lawmakers 21 days after the court releases its final opinion in the case of Louisiana v. Calais.

The central issue of this lawsuit involves Louisiana’s 2024 Congressional Map, which is under scrutiny for being an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, particularly by incorporating majority Black neighborhoods.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in this case back in March. Interestingly, the court opted to schedule re-argument sessions for the fall instead of delivering a decision by the end of the spring semester. These arguments are now set for October.

Louisiana v. Calais is viewed as crucial for the future of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), especially Section 2, which forbids racial discrimination in the voting process. Although it does not directly involve Article II, the court’s decision to revisit this case—focusing on the legality of establishing majority-minority districts—raises questions regarding the interpretation and reach of the VRA.

Reeves stated that the ruling “could (and should) forever change the way electoral maps are drawn.” He is also of the opinion that this could impact another case in Mississippi, necessitating the state to redraw its district lines.

“I firmly believe, as required by federal law, that the Mississippi Legislature should have the first chance to draw these maps,” Reeves expressed. He went on to say, “Given the pending Calais decision, the Mississippi Legislature hasn’t had a fair opportunity to do so.”

“For these reasons, I plan to utilize my constitutional authority to enable the Mississippi Legislature to exercise its constitutional right to redraw these maps once the new guidelines become clear post-Calais,” he added.

In a tweet, Reeves mentioned, “I don’t usually make the news on Friday afternoons, but I’ll make an exception today. A special session will be held.” He reflected on a discussion during Congress’s recent regular session about the necessity of new maps to comply with a federal judge’s ruling.