Redistricting and redlining are often weaponized as systemic tools to silence Black and minority voices, denying these communities fair representation. 

To address this, Mississippi’s latest legislative redistricting plan aims to empower underrepresented groups by creating majority-Black districts and fostering equitable political participation. 

According to Mississippi Today, a three-judge federal panel found that the Mississippi  Legislature did not create enough Black-majority House of Representative districts when it redrew its districts in 2022. In order to create a voting map that is more representative of the state’s demographic makeup, the panel ordered the state to redraw the districts and create a new majority-Black district in north Mississippi’s Chickasaw County. 

Federal courts have played a significant role in shaping the plan, working closely with Mississippi lawmakers. By addressing long-standing legal concerns, the proposed map aims to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act while creating a fairer and more competitive electoral landscape.

Pending court approval of this redistricting change, a special election will be held this year in affected counties, making five House seats up for grabs in November.

The federal courts also ruled that the Senate must redraw districts to create new Black-majority districts in DeSoto County and in the Hattiesburg area. Potential changes to those districts have not yet been taken up by the Senate Rules Committee. 

So, how are these changes going to affect voters in the state? Simply put, there have been too few black voting districts in the state for too long and this plan will reshape the state’s political landscape.

The plans aim at strengthening the voices of underrepresented voters. And for college students and young voters, these changes present a chance to see how equitable representation can influence their communities.

Beyond improving representation, the plans ensure districts are more competitive. For example, Republican Sens. John Polk and Chris Johnson, both representing the Hattiesburg area, could be competing for the same seat in an upcoming election.

While this is not ideal for the politicians affected as it may split votes, the respective districts and their voters would potentially benefit from candidate diversity. Think of it like this, if a voter wants to vote party-line, but does not agree with one candidate, having other strong candidates to choose from breaks the monotony that currently exists. 

This could lead to higher voter engagement and turnout, particularly for students who are often new to participating in local elections. With a focus on fair boundaries and diverse voices, Mississippi’s redistricting efforts could bring about meaningful change for the next generation of voters.

Despite the positive potential of these changes, they were met with reservations by some legislators. House Rules Committee Chairman Fred Shanks, R-Brandon, believed the redistricting plan should be further prolonged. Shanks said lawmakers should wait until the end of the 2025 session due to the change affecting 25% of the state’s current districts. 

These benefits and criticisms highlight the complex challenges involved in redrawing legislative districts in a manner that ensures fair representation while adhering to legal mandates and addressing the concerns of differing entities

However, even Shanks acknowledges the necessity of the change now. The idea of prolonging these changes would mean another voting cycle in an inequitable, non-representative map. 

Ren Hite is a senior journalism major from Jackson, Miss.