Mississippi lawmakers start redistricting after Supreme Court ruling

Mississippi lawmakers began the redistricting process Monday following a Supreme Court ruling that weakened minority voting protections, potentially redrawing legislative, congressional, and judicial districts. The Joint Redistricting Committee will hold eight public hearings across the state over two months, hiring Butler Snow attorneys as counsel. Republican Sen. Dean Kirby was elected chairman, with Republican Rep. Noah Sanford as vice chair. Voting rights activists criticized the hearings as a "sham," alleging lawmakers intend to dismantle majority Black districts. Democratic officials, including Rep. Bennie Thompson, whose district faces potential targeting, urged public transparency and voter mobilization.