Civil Rights Organizations File Lawsuit Challenging Racially Discriminatory Electoral Map in DeSoto County, Mississippi

Read a PDF of our statement here.

Media:
Legal Defense Fund (LDF): [email protected]
ACLU-MS: [email protected]
Harvard Election Law Clinic: [email protected]

Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi (ACLU-MS) and Harvard Election Law Clinic filed a lawsuit on behalf of two individual voters as well as the DeSoto County NAACP and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. challenging a racially discriminatory electoral map in DeSoto County, Mississippi. The lawsuit, filed against DeSoto County, DeSoto County Election Commission and County Clerk Dale Thompson, asserts the electoral map created during the 2022 redistricting process is racially discriminatory in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, severely diluting the voting power of Black DeSoto County Mississippians and denying them a fair chance to elect representatives of their choice.

Black residents comprise more than 30% of the DeSoto County population yet have zero representation in the five governmental bodies that manage the services that impact the day to day lives of the county's 191,000 residents. Since the plan's adoption, none of the 25 county holders is Black, nor were any Black-preferred candidates elected.

"If playing fields were leveled and all were given an equal opportunity to play, anyone can win," said Harold D. Harris, a plaintiff in the lawsuit. "Having opportunity plus equality gives us hope."

"Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. stands firmly against any attempt to undermine the voting rights of any American," Elsie Cooke-Holmes, International President and Chair of the National Board of Directors, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. "The racially discriminatory electoral map in DeSoto County not only dilutes the voting power of Black residents but also denies the representation they deserve. Our organization will continue to fight for a fair and just democracy where every voice is heard, and every vote counts."

"Addressing DeSoto County's history of injustices begins with fair electoral mapping and access to the ballot box," said Charles Taylor, Executive Director of the Mississippi State Conference of the NAACP. "Participation and representation are the fundamental rights afforded by a democracy, yet the Black citizens of the county have long been denied their rights by those holding office."

"Black voters in DeSoto County deserve to fully and fairly participate in the democratic process to ensure their interests are represented and their communities are accounted for," said Amir Badat, Voting Special Counsel at LDF. "DeSoto County's racially discriminatory redistricting plan denies Black DeSoto residents their fundamental right to elect representatives invested in their unique needs. This dangerously impacts the quality of life for Black DeSoto residents, creating inequities in everything from housing access to educational opportunities. Every day that passes without fair representation for Black DeSoto residents is a day where their needs go unmet, and voices go unheard. We will work to protect the rights of Black DeSoto residents to fairly participate in this democracy and elect the governing bodies who best represent their community's interests."

"DeSoto County is the fastest growing county in Mississippi. The individuals and families that move to our State deserve fair and just representation in their local government," said Jarvis Dortch, executive director at ACLU-MS. "Unfortunately, the current Supervisor district lines are drawn to favor white voters and harm voters of color. A community will only thrive when all voices can be heard, and some votes don't count more than others."

"DeSoto County's districting map splinters the County's Black community, denying Black voters an opportunity to have voice in their government," said Daniel Hessel, Attorney and Clinical Instructor at Harvard Election Law Clinic. "Black voters in DeSoto County have a right to fair maps to ensure their needs and interests are reflected in the five offices elected under these district lines."

The dilution of Black voting power in DeSoto County, Mississippi caused by the racially discriminatory map has created a large gap between the population and the distribution of necessary resources and services. Pervasive racial inequality in DeSoto County is reflected in disparities between Black and white community members in income and wealth, housing, education, and criminal justice, among other areas. In one example, although white students comprise less than 45% of the County's student population, all school board officials are white.

Read the lawsuit here.

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Founded in 1940, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is the nation's first civil rights law organization. LDF's Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multidisciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Please note that LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957-although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights.

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