Breaking News: Mississippi Supreme Court Elections Ordered Amid Voting Rights Scandal

A federal judge has ordered special elections for the Mississippi Supreme Court after finding that the electoral map used to select justices violates the Voting Rights Act. U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock made the ruling on Friday, giving the Mississippi Legislature until the end of its 2026 regular session to redraw the map.

The current electoral map, enacted in 1987, was deemed to dilute the power of Black voters. This ruling comes after Judge Aycock ordered Mississippi to redraw the map in August. The special elections are expected to significantly impact the makeup of the Mississippi Supreme Court.

The Voting Rights Act, specifically Section 2, is a key provision that allows plaintiffs to challenge racially discriminatory election practices. The law is currently being challenged at the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially undermining its effectiveness.

The Mississippi Legislature will now have to redraw the electoral map to comply with the Voting Rights Act. This process is expected to take several months, with the special elections likely to be held in 2027.

This is a developing story, and we will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.