Gov. Phil Bryant (left) and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann (right) asked in May that the court immediately overturn the district judge and re-instate the original lines. They had hoped for a ruling in time to reopen qualifying for the primary. Photo by Imani Khayyam
A federal appeals court is rejecting an effort that sought to reverse the redrawing of boundaries of a state Senate district in Mississippi.
A three-judge panel on the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeal on Thursday ruled 2-1 that the new boundaries should remain, meaning Tuesday's primary will proceed under the new lines.
Lawmakers redrew Senate District 22 after a federal judge ruled in February that previous lines illegally diluted black voting strength.
Gov. Phil Bryant and Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann asked in May that the court immediately overturn the district judge and re-instate the original lines. They had hoped for a ruling in time to reopen qualifying for the primary.
The redrawn district has a voting age population that's 58% black, compared to 51% under the old lines.
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