The right to vote is one of the most sacred civil liberties we have as citizens. We believe voting should be easy for every citizen and that each vote should count the same.
Historically, politicians have used gerrymandering, packing and cracking to dilute the influence of Black voters. We seek to ensure that the current redistricting process allows Mississippi's Black voters the same opportunities as white voters to elect their candidates of choice, regardless of where they live in the state and regardless of who they vote for.
Redistricting is not something best left to the politicians and the experts. Every voter has a vital stake in redistricting because it determines the composition of districts that elect public officials at every level of government.
Join us in our continued fight for fair maps.
The population in Mississippi grew by 0.57% between 2012-2019 using ACS 5 year estimates.
Using 2019 Census CVAP estimates we explored districts that are withing range of becoming a majority minority district, and looked for evidence of packed and cracked districts. Based on this analysis, it appears that as many as 5 districts could be made majority Black. Here is a deeper look at the data in our Mississipi Legislative Senate District and House District demographic analysis.
Not sure which district you currently live in? Find out here.
HOW TO GET INVOLVED
1. WATCH OUR REDISTRICTING 101 VIRTUAL TRAINING
On August 3rd ACLU of Mississippi, the Mississippi State Conference NAACP, and the Southern Poverty Law Center conducted a lunchtime virtual training on redistricting and its power. Watch the recording to prepare yourself to ask your lawmaker the right questions at one of the nine redistricting hearings.
2. LISTEN TO ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI'S FOR ALL PODCAST
For All is an ACLU of Mississippi podcast focused on the people and projects that promote civil liberties and rights in our state.
Episode 5 features Amir Badat. Badat is the new Special Voting Counsel at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. He explains why Black voting power is at risk, more than ever. He also highlights regions of the state Black voters should be paying extra attention to when the new district maps are proposed.
Episode 6 features former State Representative Tyrone Ellis. After spending nearly four decades in the legislature, Ellis shares what it’s like being one of very few Black legislators to be on the redistricting committee.
For All can be found on 17 podcast streaming platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and Amazon Podcasts.
3. ORGANIZE A GROUP AND REQUEST AN ACLU OF MISSISSIPPI VIRTUAL TRAINING SESSION
- Email Maisie Brown at mbrown@aclu-ms.org to make a request.
4. DEMAND TRANSPARENCY FROM THE MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING COMMITTEE
The Mississippi state legislature and the governor decide the boundaries of the district maps. The members of a 20-member standing committee called the Mississippi Joint Legislative Redistricting Committee (MJLRC) conduct the bulk of the work that create proposed maps. Demand transparency by reaching out to your representative and/or senator. Ask them to hold public hearings after the maps are drawn but before they are voted on by the legislature.
- Copy ted.booth@peer.ms.gov on all of your emails.
FIND COMMITTEE MEMBER CONTACT INFORMATION HERE
