First public hearing on Mississippi redistricting draws claims of racism, fascism
Joint Committee on Redistricting and Reapportionment holds redistricting hearing at Itawamaba Community College, August 18, 2026 (Photo from livestream)
Lawmakers serving on the Joint Committee on Redistricting and Reapportionment kicked off a series of public hearings Tuesday night in Itawamba County aimed at obtaining citizens’ comments and suggestions on the redistricting efforts being considered by the Mississippi Legislature.
The planned public meetings are being held as part of the Legislature’s anticipated effort to redraw legislative, congressional, and judicial districts in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Callais v. Louisiana that determined racial gerrymandering to be unconstitutional as it had been practiced under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
The first of the public hearings was held Tuesday evening at Itawamba Community College.
State Senator Dean Kirby (R), chairman of the joint committee, opened the meeting clarifying that lawmakers are handling redist…