Civil rights are a cornerstone of what it means to be an American citizen. Mississippi is famous for its involvement in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s, where Black Americans protested for their equality against segregation. As a new Mississippi civil rights act makes its way through state legislation, it’s important to understand what that means for civil rights in the state as a whole.
Mississippi’s History of Civil Rights
Mississippi was one of the major states involved in the Civil Rights Movement of the mid-20th century. The Civil Rights Movement sought to combat the racist Jim Crow policies of segregation enforced throughout the Southern U.S. and the nation as a whole. Mississippi was one of the harshest enforcers of racial segregation at the time.
Between 1877 and 1950, Mississippi accounted for 600 of the 3,959 lynchings of Black citizens throughout the U.S. The state played host to many of the Civil Rights Movement’s most well-known moments, both good and bad. The murder of young Emmett Till occurred in Glendora. The minds behind Freedom Summer found a base in Canton. Meanwhile, the city of Jackson saw some of the movement’s largest and most famous sit-ins and protests.
The push for racial equality and civil rights has transformed Mississippi across the centuries. Many citizens proudly declare their family’s connection to the Civil Rights Movement, while others discuss how to further protect their rights. It is, therefore, no surprise that Mississippi has reacted strongly to the federal government’s influence on its voting rights.
Preventing Racial Discrimination in Voting
Many of the voting rights enjoyed by Black citizens of Mississippi come from the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This was a life-changing act that followed the famous Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Voting Rights Act enforced racial equality in voting. It made it easier for the average Black man or woman to register to vote.
However, the federal government has made certain decisions in the last decade and a half that threaten these rights. In 2013, the Supreme Court ruled on Shelby County v. Holder. In this case, Shelby County, Alabama, attested that Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act was unconstitutional. This section forced districts with a history of racial discrimination, such as Alabama and Mississippi, to consult the federal government before making any changes to their voting laws.
The Supreme Court ruled that Section 5 was indeed unconstitutional. As a result, many states immediately implemented new voting laws that disproportionately make it harder for Black Americans and other minorities to vote. Shelby County v. Holder is just one of multiple federal court decisions that have pushed the government of Mississippi to take voting rights into its own hands.
2023 and 2025 saw more cases regarding the Voting Rights Act enter federal court. This time, the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This section makes it illegal to establish racially discriminatory voting practices. The Circuit Court ruled that private parties, such as individuals, could not sue under Section 2 for racial discrimination.
These rulings make it harder for people of color to prove that certain practices, such as redistricting, are racially motivated. In fact, it can prevent them from suing in the first place. Combined with the loss of preclearance in Shelby County v. Holder, these new rulings can put a Black American’s right to vote in jeopardy.
The Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi
In early 2026, Mississippi politicians introduced the Robert G. Clark, Jr., Voting Rights Act of Mississippi. The bill promised a statewide return to the preclearance practices initially established in Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. It pre-emptively protected Mississippi from further interference from the federal government in Mississippi’s civil rights laws.
By April 2026, the Act died in committee. However, Mississippi state representative Zakiya Summers has promised to use the Act as a sounding board for future efforts to defend civil rights in Mississippi.
FAQs
How Is the Federal Government Weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
The federal government is weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by removing preclearance. Preclearance was a requirement for districts with a history of racial discrimination to get federal approval for any changes to their voting laws. The 2013 Supreme Court case Shelby County v. Holder removed preclearance. The federal government also made it harder to prove or sue for discrimination in the last decade.
What Are the Current Voting Rights for Mississippi Citizens?
Mississippi voting rights are a mixture of federal and state rights. All Americans have the right to vote without influence, vote by affidavit ballot, and receive assistance with voting due to a disability. Mississippi citizens have the right to vote from their cars if a disability prevents them from standing in line.
Can the Government Take Away My Right to Vote in Mississippi?
In Mississippi, the state government can take away your right to vote if you have been convicted of one of twenty-three specific felonies in a Mississippi court. These felonies include murder, rape, armed robbery, and voter fraud. Prisoners are still able to vote from jail if they are convicted of misdemeanors, federal charges, or out-of-state charges.
Why Does Mississippi Want to Make a New Civil Rights Act?
The Mississippi government wants to write a new civil rights act because the federal government has made it harder for Black Americans nationwide to vote. Recent changes to federal voting law make it easier for certain jurisdictions to establish racist voting laws. Mississippi seeks to remedy this change by making its own voting rights bill.
Hire a Civil Rights Lawyer Today
When changing voting laws makes it harder to practice your right to vote, it may be time to hire a civil rights lawyer. Johnson, Ratliff & Waide, PLLC, is a legal firm based in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. We primarily practice personal injury, employment, and civil rights law. If you need help with a civil rights case, contact us today.
