Topic analysis

Mississippi house to hold redistricting session at site of Jim Crow era capitol

Mississippi's Republican-led House will hold a special session on May 20 to redraw state supreme court districts at the Old Capitol Museum, a building linked to the state's racist history including secession over slavery and the drafting of the 1890 Jim Crow constitution that disenfranchised Black residents. Democratic lawmakers and civil rights advocates have criticized the location as insensitive, noting it coincides with recent weakening of the Voting Rights Act and calls to dilute Black voting power, including targeting the state's lone congressional Democrat.