Full Breakdown
Mississippi House Moves to Old Capitol for Supreme Court Redistricting Session
5/7/2026, 2:14:58 AM
Special Session at the Old Capitol: Core Event
On May 20 2026 the Mississippi House will meet in the Old Capitol House Chamber for a special session to redraw three state Supreme Court districts. Speaker Jason White said the move is needed because the current chamber is closed for dome and skylight renovations; the Senate will stay in the newer Capitol. The Old Capitol, which served from 1839 to 1903, hosted the 1861 secession vote and the 1890 constitutional convention that created Jim Crow voting restrictions.
Key Actors and Official Statements
Gov. Tate Reeves called a session after a judge ordered new Supreme Court maps and *Callais* decision weakened voting protections. Speaker White said Old Capitol is needed for renovations. Kabir Karriem called setting “horrific” for 1.2 million Black residents. Cheikh Taylor warned session is a power move to curb Black influence. Rep. Fred Shanks dismissed criticism as nonsense, Rep. Justis Gibbs said constituents’ eyebrows raised, and Safia Malin of One Voice Mississippi called move deliberately cruel.
Data, Legal and Political Stakes
Mississippi’s Black population is about 1.2 million, roughly 38 % of the state, highest share nationwide. The legislature must redraw three Supreme Court districts; congressional changes could affect four House seats. A 2025 federal judge found the prior Supreme Court districts unlawfully diluted Black votes, prompting the order. The *Callais* ruling narrowed Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, raising the risk of lawsuits. With primaries already completed, any congressional redistricting would require reopening primaries, a legally uncertain step.
Criticism & Opposition
Meeting in the Old Capitol—where the 1890 constitution that created Jim Crow voting restrictions was drafted—reinforces attempts to suppress Black voting. Rep. Kabir Karriem, Rep. Cheikh Taylor and Safia Malin called the decision a “slap in the face” and a “confession” of intent to finish disenfranchisement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Even though they said that they were doing some remodeling, the optics of it are horrific for 1.2 million Black folks here in the state of Mississippi.” — Kabir Karriem, Democratic state representative, Legislative Black Caucus
- “feels like it’s almost a deliberate or intentionally cruel attempt, even if that’s not the way it’s being presented on its face” — Safia Malin, policy director, One Voice Mississippi
- “Rep Kabir Karriem is right. It is a slap in the face to the 1.2 million African Americans in this state. It is also a confession. They are returning to the scene of the crime to try and finish the job.” — Cheikh Taylor, chair, Mississippi Democratic Party and state representative
- “White also said any special session called between now and January 2027 would also take place in the Old Capitol House Chamber.” — Jason White, Republican House speaker
What’s Next
Renovations are expected to finish in December 2026, after which the House will return to the new chamber. Any special session called between now and January 2027 will continue in the Old Capitol, and legal challenges to the new Supreme Court maps are anticipated.
