Mississippi Senate Approves New Map to Boost Black Voting Power [View all]
JACKSON — Mississippi lawmakers are working to redraw the lines of a state senate district that two federal courts ruled dilutes black voting power. Senate District 22, which stretches 100 miles across six counties, is majority African American but has a white Republican senator, Buck Clarke of Hollandale.
On Tuesday, the state Senate approved a new map, which would only affect District 22 and the neighboring Senate District 13. If the House also passes the Senate's redistricting plan, it would go into effect before this year's statewide elections.
"I'm very supportive of the plan," Sen. Willie Simmons, a black Democrat who represents District 13, told his colleagues on Tuesday.
The new map would raise the black voting-age population in Clarke's District to 58 percent, up from 51 percent.
Read more: http://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2019/mar/27/mississippi-senate-approves-new-map-boost-black-vo/
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