JR 202 Mississippi House · 2025 Regular Session

Mississippi State Senate; revise composition of Districts 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 34, 41, 42, 44 and 45.

This bill (JR 202) revises the boundaries of Mississippi State Senate Districts 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 34, 41, 42, 44, and 45 to comply with a federal court ruling. The court found that two existing districts violated the Voting Rights Act by not providing minorities a fair opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The revised districts aim to create two new Senate districts where minority voters can elect representatives of their choice while minimizing changes to other districts. The changes affect residents in the specific precincts listed for each district, including areas in counties like DeSoto, Coahoma, Tate, and Tunica. This is a procedural redistricting measure, not a policy change affecting laws or regulations.
Bill status passed both 4 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Feb 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 27, 2025 Last action Mar 7, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

As Introduced Current version · 5 edits
MODERATE
This bill updates Mississippi's State Senate redistricting plan to comply with a federal court ruling that found violations of the Voting Rights Act. It redefines the boundaries of 10 specific Senate districts to ensure minority voters have an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice while minimizing disruption to existing districts. The changes include adding new district definitions, modifying existing district compositions, and establishing a special election schedule for 2025.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a standard redistricting plan to a court-ordered remedial plan specifically addressing Voting Rights Act violations, affecting 10 Senate districts.
REQUIREMENT

Added specific court case references and Voting Rights Act compliance language to the WHEREAS clauses

Revised the composition of Senate Districts 1, 2, 10, 11, 19, 34, 41, 42, 44, and 45 with new precinct assignments

TIMELINE

Established a special election schedule with specific dates for qualifying, primary, and general elections in 2025

ENFORCEMENT

Added provisions requiring the Secretary of State to correct any errors in district descriptions and file the plan with multiple state agencies

SCOPE

Changed the header and title to reflect adoption by the Senate and court compliance requirements

Floor votes · Senate Feb 26, 2025 · House Mar 5, 2025

How they voted

3316
Passed
Total votes 49
Feb 26, 2025
D Democratic15
3 Yea 12 Nay
80% Nay
R Republican34
30 Yea 4 Nay
88% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
11
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Adopted
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Title Suff Do Be Adopted
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Committee
Referred To Apportionment and Elections
lower
Feb 27, 2025
Introduced
Transmitted To House
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Adopted
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Upper · Passed
Title Suff Do Be Adopted
upper
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
Referred To Rules
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dean Kirby
Dean Kirby
RRepublican
MS
30