Judge Denies Request to Block Majority-Black Voter Districts in Upcoming Judicial Election
A federal judge has temporarily halted efforts to stop the election of new county judges in a predominantly Black district, months before the scheduled election. This decision is part of an ongoing lawsuit challenging the redistricting process for state judiciary elections.
The lawsuit was initiated by Robert Foster, a former Republican candidate for governor and a current supervisor in DeSoto County, along with other plaintiffs. They argue that the Legislature’s decision to establish majority-Black subdistricts for judicial elections violates the Voting Rights Act. This legal action followed the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in May in the Louisiana v. Callais case, which reduced protections for minority voters during the redistricting process.
U.S. District Judge Sharion Aycock ruled that altering district lines close to the November election date would be inappropriate, as the U.S. Supreme Court has advised lower courts against such changes. “The Plaintiffs have not provided sufficient evidence to justify this Court’s involvement,” Aycock stated.
Foster and other plaintiffs from DeSoto County contend that the Legislature’s redistricting added a circuit judge and a chancery judge to DeSoto County, both of whom must be elected from a majority-Black subdistrict. These subdistricts are designed to elect judges from smaller areas within a main district, though the judges maintain jurisdiction to hear cases from anywhere within the district.
The lawsuit targets the State Board of Election Commissioners, comprising Governor Tate Reeves, Secretary of State Michael Watson, and Attorney General Lynn Fitch, all of whom are Republican officials.
Attorneys representing the DeSoto County plaintiffs have yet to comment on the ruling. Additionally, MaryAsa Lee, a spokesperson for Attorney General Fitch’s office, also declined to comment.
While Judge Aycock has denied the request to prevent the implementation of the subdistricts, the case may continue. The judge can request further briefs and evidence from both parties before making a comprehensive ruling on the case.
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This article was initially published by Mississippi Today and shared via a partnership with The Associated Press.
