Voting changes on the near horizon

By Dr. Anne T. Sulton, Esq.

JA Senior International Correspondent

On April 29, 2026, the United States Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais set the stage for a battle royale over voting in the USA. 

Less than two weeks old, this decision is generating heated debates nationwide and having ripple effects particularly in southern states. Among these states is Mississippi.

In Mississippi, some private parties not pleased with voting matters filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi. This case is known as White, et al. v. State Board of Election Commissioners, et al. 

In August 2025, the District Court held that the Mississippi Supreme Court election districts violate a part of the Voting Rights Act. This decision was appealed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

The Fifth Circuit Court did not issue a decision. The Mississippi litigants’ appellate case was put on hold, awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais.

Within days of the Callais decision, on May 6, 2026, the Mississippi litigants jointly asked the Fifth Circuit Court to send their case back to the District Court. The basis for their request is that “the district court is best positioned to determine what if any additional or further proceedings or submissions may be necessary in light of the Supreme Court’s updating the Section 2 test in Callais.” 

Essentially, on the near horizon, Mississippi will address and obtain answers to the voting questions presented in White given the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais. 

To read the entire 105-page decision in White, please see: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/mississippi/msndce/4:2022cv00062/46188/264/

To read the entire 92-page decision and dissent in Callais, please go to: https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25pdf/24-109_21o3.pdf