Story perspectives

Mississippi Governor Sets 21-Day Map Redraw, Awaits Supreme Court Ruling

4/25/2026

45 5

Summary

Story summary

Governor Tate Reeves announced a Mississippi session to redraw voting maps in 21 days, pending the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais.
Governor Reeves, whose map for districts is stayed after a court found it dilutes Black voting strength, hopes Court will side with Louisiana to reaffirm that race-based classification violates equality.
The Court will decide if Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act permits race-based redistricting that meets constitutional equality.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 the Supreme Court, in Shaw v. Reno, held that race-based congressional maps trigger strict scrutiny, a decision written by Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and affirmed by a 5-vote majority. That precedent guides today’s Southern battles, as Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves’ redistricting plan and the pending Louisiana v. Callais case test whether states must redraw maps without racial quotas under the Voting Rights Act.

1 of 2

Story summary

Governor Tate Reeves announced a Mississippi session to redraw voting maps in 21 days, pending the Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais.
Governor Reeves, whose map for districts is stayed after a court found it dilutes Black voting strength, hopes Court will side with Louisiana to reaffirm that race-based classification violates equality.
The Court will decide if Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act permits race-based redistricting that meets constitutional equality.

1 / 2