Federal judge blocks effort to halt majority-Black judicial subdistricts in DeSoto County
A federal judge refused to stop the use of majority-Black subdistricts for upcoming judicial elections in DeSoto County, Mississippi.
In a recent ruling, U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock rejected a petition seeking to prevent the implementation of majority-Black subdistricts for DeSoto County's upcoming judicial races. The challenge, filed by former Republican gubernatorial hopeful Robert Foster and other local residents, claims the legislature's redistricting breaches the Voting Rights Act. Aycock cited the proximity to the November election as a reason not to alter district lines, echoing Supreme Court guidance.
The suit is directed at the three-member State Board of Election Commissioners, composed of Governor Tate Reeves, Secretary of State Michael Watson and Attorney General Lynn Fitch. Attorneys for the plaintiffs did not comment, and the attorney general’s office declined to speak. Although the immediate injunction was denied, the court may still require additional briefs before issuing a final decision on the merits.
Why it matters
The ruling determines whether minority-voting districts can be altered close to an election, affecting representation in Mississippi's courts.
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