A federal three-judge panel has ordered state officials in DeSoto County, Mississippi to develop a new legislative map that ensures Black voters have a fair opportunity to elect candidates to the state Senate. The ruling comes after lawmakers were found to have violated federal civil rights law by redrawing districts in a way that diluted Black voting power.
The panel gave the State Board of Election Commissioners seven days to propose a new map for the DeSoto County area, with special elections for redrawn districts scheduled for November. This decision is a setback for state officials who have been struggling to comply with court orders and federal redistricting law.
The judges accepted part of the Legislature’s redistricting plan but objected to the DeSoto County section, which they found would make it difficult for Black voters in the area to have a realistic opportunity to elect their preferred candidates. They criticized the proposed map for yoking high-turnout white communities with poorer, predominantly Black towns.
The ruling could impact the election schedule, although the judges indicated they were committed to ensuring voters could participate in November special elections. The plaintiffs in the case, including the NAACP and Black voters from around the state, had raised concerns about the Legislature’s plan.
It remains to be seen how state officials will respond to the court’s order and what the implications will be for upcoming elections in Mississippi. The state is facing a tight deadline for redrawing legislative districts and ensuring fair representation for all voters.
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