JR 1 Mississippi House · 2025 Regular Session

MS House of Representatives; revise composition of Districts 16, 22, 36, 39 and 41.

This bill revises the boundaries of Mississippi House of Representatives Districts 16, 22, 36, 39, and 41 to address a court finding that one district violated the Voting Rights Act. The court determined the previous district configuration failed the Thornburg v. Gingles test, limiting minority voters' ability to elect candidates of choice. The redistricting plan creates a new district configuration where minority voters have a fairer opportunity to elect representatives while minimizing changes to other districts. This adjustment directly affects residents in the specific precincts now included in these revised districts.

Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared

Introduction

Feb 2025

Committee Review

Mar 2025

House Passage

Feb 2025

Senate Passage

Mar 2025

Governor

Introduced Feb 7, 2025 Last action Mar 7, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced → Current version · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill amends Mississippi's 2022 redistricting plan to comply with a federal court order requiring the state to create majority-minority voting districts. The bill reorganizes 122 House districts to address Voting Rights Act violations identified in a 2024 lawsuit, specifically creating new district configurations that allow minority voters to elect candidates of their choice while minimizing disruption to existing districts.

Scope change

The bill expands the scope of redistricting requirements by mandating specific district compositions that prioritize minority voting power, replacing the previous 2022 plan that the court found violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

REQUIREMENT

Redistricting plan was modified to create new House District configurations (specifically Districts 16, 22, 36, 39, and 41) that comply with Thornburg v. Gingles framework for minority voting rights.

TIMELINE

Added specific election schedule with key dates including qualifying periods (May 19-30), primary election (August 5), and general election (November 4, 2025).

ENFORCEMENT

Added requirement that the resolution must be approved by federal court before taking effect, and directed the House Apportionment Committee to submit the resolution to the U.S. District Court.

DEFINITION

Added definitions for split precincts marked with asterisks and established procedures for the Secretary of State to correct any omissions or overlaps in district descriptions.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 5, 2025 · House Feb 6, 2025

How they voted

30–12

Passed · 3 other

Total votes 45

Mar 5, 2025

D Democratic13

2 Yea 10 Nay 1

76% Nay

R Republican32

28 Yea 2 Nay 2

87% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 5, 2025

Upper · Passed

Adopted

upper

Mar 4, 2025

Upper · Passed

Title Suff Do Be Adopted

upper

Feb 17, 2025

Committee

Referred To Rules

upper

Feb 7, 2025

Introduced

Transmitted To Senate

lower

Feb 6, 2025

Lower · Passed

Adopted

lower

Feb 5, 2025

Lower · Passed

Title Suff Do Be Adopted

lower

Feb 4, 2025

Committee

Referred To Apportionment and Elections

lower

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors