Callais decision causing headaches in Mississippi as special election and 2027 loom large

Callais decision causing headaches in.

Key points

• State Senator Johnny DuPree (D), October 5, 2026 (Photo from DuPree's Facebook page).
• The other candidates who have qualified to run in the Senate District 34 special election besides DuPree are Kenneth Keyes, Tiffany Anne Lindsey, Daryl A.
• Lawmakers on the Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting have held listening sessions around the state in the lead up to the 2027 session.
• Six candidates have qualified to run in the state Senate District 34 special election to succeed Senator Juan Barnett (D) who resigned last month.
• As were other legislative districts, but Barnett retained his seat, senate District 34 was additionally affected by the court ordered redistricting in 2025.

Callais decision causing headaches in Mississippi as special election and 2027 loom sizeable. By: Frank Corder – October 12, 2026.

For context, a sitting state senator has qualified to run for a special election in another district this December and qualifying for 2027 legislative elections are less than two months away. Lawmakers, attorneys, and constitutional scholars have much to consider in the days and weeks ahead.

Among the lot is current Senate District 45 Senator Johnny DuPree (D) who won a special election in November 2025 in a newly drawn district after a federal three-judge panel required special elections be held to growth majority-minority districts in both the Mississippi House and Senate.

"Because the Secretary of State chose to move the district maps back to the 2022 lines, I am now required to run in the district where my family and I reside, which is District 34, " a social media post shared by DuPree remarked.

Secretary of State Michael Watson sent a letter in June that provided guidance to the Legislature that his office was preparing to revert to the 2022 legislative district maps in the Statewide Elections Management System. He observed that no redistricting changes can be produced while an election is in process, meaning for 2026 elections changes are prohibited 60 days before an election day.

After questions arose from DuPree's entry into the race, Watson issued a statement seeking to provide clarity, on Monday.

"The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais sent Mississippi's pending redistricting case back to the lower court to start over. Rightfully so, Callais ruled racial gerrymandering unconstitutional. It directly affected the maps the Legislature was forced to redraw in 2025 due to the U.S. District Court's original ruling in NAACP vs. The State Board of Election Commissioners (SBEC), " Watson remarked. "The Supreme Court vacated the District Court's ruling regarding the 2025 maps, and since redistricting drawn with the intent to discriminate based on race violates Section 2 of the NVRA, the 2025 legislative maps are no longer legal."

Watson remarked it was his duty "to ensure we follow the law."

"Running an election on race-based maps is illegal under Callais. Given the time constraints within the Statewide Election Management System (SEMS) and our current election season, action had to be taken, " he remarked. "According to our decision and the legal application of the Supreme Court ruling, the Governor correctly pressed the special election in SD 34 to be held under the lines adopted by the Legislature in 2022 and applied in the 2023 legislative elections. As to the current state of the NAACP vs SBEC case, it remains active. In practice, the Plaintiffs have repositioned and now desire to employ the new Callais standards to reexamine the legislative district lines as drawn in 2022. Under the Callais ruling, inaction was not an option."

There has been discussion in Capitol circles of lawmakers convening in a special session ahead of the start of qualifying for the 2027 election cycle to redraw legislative districts after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Callais v. Louisiana. That ruling determined racial gerrymandering to be unconstitutional as it had been practiced under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. For context, the Callais decision raised the evidentiary bar for proving a violation of the Voting Rights Act, requiring proof of actual discriminatory intent in drawing voting districts.

When qualifying begins, if a special session is called, the Legislature could seek to redraw the legislative districts ahead of January 4. As all previous maps predominantly took race into account, lawmakers could revert back to the prior 2022 maps using the Callais ruling as justification or redraw districts altogether, not only in the areas impacted by the 2025 court ordered redistricting plan which led to DuPree's election to District 45.

As of now, Governor Tate Reeves (R) has not called a special session to redraw legislative districts, yet.

It is feasible that a legal challenge could be filed to stay the special election in Senate District 34, given the domino effect it could have if DuPree, a sitting Senator in District 45, wins.

For context, the other candidates who have qualified to run in the Senate District 34 special election besides DuPree are Kenneth Keyes, Tiffany Anne Lindsey, Daryl A. McKines Jr., Brice D. Pilgrim, and Nellie "Cookie" Satcher.

As for what this means for the other state Senate and House districts affected by the 2025 court ordered redistricting, that remains to be seen.

Notably, a legal challenge could additionally come in the other Pine Belt and North Mississippi districts affected by the 2025 court ordered redistricting, seeking clarity on the legitimacy of the maps employed to seat the lawmakers in those districts now that U.S. Supreme Court vacated the District Court's ruling.

Another scenario being bantered regarding at the Capitol is that the governor will call a special session after the November midterm election to set new legislative districts for candidates to run in come January 4 for the 2027 cycle. Then, should DuPree win the District 34 special election in December, he would vacate the District 45 seat and that district would be unrepresented during the upcoming legislative session given the time allowed to call a special election and the shortened 2027 session.

What is certain, nevertheless, is that lawmakers, attorneys, and constitutional scholars have much to consider in the days and weeks ahead. Regarding the Author(s).

Frank Corder is a native of Pascagoula. For almost two decades, he has noted and offered analysis on administration, public policy, business and matters of faith. Frank's interviews, articles, and columns have been shared throughout Mississippi as well as in national publications. He is a frequent guest on radio and television, providing insight and commentary on the inner workings of the Magnolia State. Frank has served his community in both elected and appointed public office, hosted his own local radio and television programs, and managed private businesses all while being an engaged husband and father. Email Frank: [email protected].

News Frank Corder October 8, 2026. Tindell's Attorney General campaign tops million-dollar fundraising mark.

Along with his sizable fundraising haul, Sean Tindell has additionally picked up more than 65 endorsements from elected office-holders and law enforcement leaders, giving him another leg up on any challengers who may be considering entering the race. More From This Author. News Frank Corder October 9, 2026. Hyde-Smith, Guest, Ezell among congressional members urging investigation into Planned Parenthood. News Frank Corder October 9, 2026.

Isaias churns toward U.S. Gulf Coast, on verge of being a Category 3 hurricane. News Frank Corder October 8, 2026. Hurricane Isaias barrels toward Gulf Coast. News Jeremy Pittari October 12, 2026. IHL extends commissioner's contract, increases pay. Elections Frank Corder October 7, 2026. Buffington joins race for State Auditor.

Buffington joins the open seat race with two candidates who confirmed earlier this year, former State Rep. Nick Bain and State Senator Daniel Sparks. Auditor Shad White is not seeking re-election to the office. Elections Frank Corder October 6, 2026.

After starting his campaign with a fake call, Colom shares AI-generated video of Hyde-Smith.

Meanwhile, the Democrat candidate for U.S. Senate has pressed pausing data center construction even as he uses AI to attack his Republican opponent. Hyde-Smith's campaign manager remarked Tuesday, "Desperate candidates deploy desperate tactics." News Clara Turnage October 12, 2026.

Researcher using $7 million grant to create 'self-driving' lab at Ole Miss. News Cass Rutledge October 12, 2026. ALO investing over $176 million in Southaven for national distribution center. News Frank Corder October 12, 2026. Obama cuts campaign ad for Colom. Business Cass Rutledge October 7, 2026.

Huntington Bank investing over $40 million to modernize Tupelo operations center, regional headquarters. Business Cass Rutledge October 6, 2026. Westwin Elements investing $502 million to establish nickel refinery in Natchez. Business Cass Rutledge October 2, 2026. Gasifier manufacturer Janus Organization bringing 13 jobs to Greenwood. Culture Robert St. John October 12, 2026. Closing time at the Vatican. Culture Alistair Begg October 12, 2026. Justice, kindness, and humility. Culture Matt Friedeman October 11, 2026. The athletes of God. Opinion Roger Wicker October 9, 2026. Permit reform act is a much-needed course correction.

Opinion Delbert Hosemann October 8, 2026. Hosemann: It is time for Mississippi to ban all kratom products. Opinion Sid Salter October 7, 2026.

Growing calls to suspend or eliminate federal and state gas taxes have consequences.

In short, callais decision causing headaches in Mississippi as special election and 2027 loom is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.