Story perspectives

Mississippi Redraws Court Districts at Old Capitol, Black Voters Alarmed

5/7/2026

Left

White Orders OldCapitol

Mississippi’s session to redraw state supreme court districts meets in Old Capitol, the 1861 secession-vote and 1890 white-supremacist constitution site.
House speaker Jason White announced session before Jan 2027 must meet in Old Capitol, with Senate staying in new capitol building.
Democratic Rep. Justis Gibbs said constituents questioned the optics and urged higher voter turnout.
Kabir Karriem, Safia Malin said reminds 1.2 million Black residents, warning Cheikh Taylor 40,000 be disenfranchised.

Right

White House Urges

Legal experts warn eliminating Thompson’s district could trigger Voting Rights Act lawsuits delaying the 2026 election.
The White House urges Mississippi legislators to redraw the map and remove Congressman Bennie Thompson’s seat before 2026 midterm elections.
Democratic Rep. Justis Gibbs said constituents questioned optics of location change and urged voter turnout.
Mississippi completed its March primaries, forcing a reset of primary schedule and reopening candidate qualifications.

History

Historical Context

In 1890 Governor John M. Stone oversaw a new Mississippi constitution that imposed poll taxes and literacy tests, cutting Black voter rolls by about 90 % within a decade. That disenfranchising framework cemented Democratic rule for generations. Today, House Speaker Jason White’s proposal to redraw court districts has drawn a White House warning that it may breach the Voting Rights Act and threaten Black voting power.

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White Orders OldCapitol

Mississippi’s session to redraw state supreme court districts meets in Old Capitol, the 1861 secession-vote and 1890 white-supremacist constitution site.
House speaker Jason White announced session before Jan 2027 must meet in Old Capitol, with Senate staying in new capitol building.
Democratic Rep. Justis Gibbs said constituents questioned the optics and urged higher voter turnout.
Kabir Karriem, Safia Malin said reminds 1.2 million Black residents, warning Cheikh Taylor 40,000 be disenfranchised.

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