Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has cancelled a special legislative session scheduled for next week to redraw the state's supreme court districts. The Republican governor made the announcement on Wednesday during an appearance on SuperTalk radio, a conservative talk radio network.
Reeves stated that he expects the state to redraw its four congressional districts before the 2027 elections, but acknowledged that doing so in time for the November midterm elections would be difficult and could harm Republican candidates. Mississippi held its congressional primaries in March, prior to the US Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v Callais, which narrowed a key provision of the Voting Rights Act and prompted several Republican-led states to revise their electoral maps.
Redrawing congressional districts immediately to eliminate Democratic seats would likely invalidate primary results and could make some solidly Republican areas more competitive by adding Democratic voters. Reeves specifically targeted the seat of Democratic Congressman Bennie Thompson, the state's only Democratic member of Congress and its longest-serving Black elected official. Thompson represents Mississippi's second congressional district, which covers much of the predominantly Black Mississippi Delta.
In a post on X, Reeves clarified: 'Just to clarify, I said I expect lawmakers to redraw congressional lines BETWEEN NOW and 2027 elections! I also expect them to redraw legislative and Supreme Court lines between now and 2027 elections!' He added that he is working with the Trump administration on the timing and method for redrawing the maps.
