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Mississippi state legislative districts
 |
List of state legislative districts |
There are 174 seats in the Mississippi State Legislature. All 52 seats of the Mississippi State Senate and all 122 seats of the Mississippi House of Representatives are up for election every four years. Elections for the Mississippi State Legislature occur in odd-numbered years.
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
The Mississippi Senate is the upper house of the Mississippi Legislature. The Senate is composed of 52 Senators representing an equal amount of constituent districts.
As of the 2020 Census, Mississippi state senators represented an average of 56,998 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 57,274 residents.
Qualifications
Section 42 of Article 4 of the Mississippi Constitution states, "No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years, who shall not have been a qualified elector of the State four years, and who shall not be an actual resident of the district or territory he may be chosen to represent for two years before his election."[1]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Mississippi State Legislature, a special election is required to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for an election no later than 30 days after the vacancy happened. After the governor sets the election date, the counties conducting the election must be given at least 60 days' notice before the election. All qualifying deadlines are 50 days before the election.[2]
The governor can choose not to issue a writ of election if the vacancy occurs in the same calendar year as the general election for state officials.[2]
See sources: Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-851
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[3] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $23,500/year | For senators: $166/day. For representatives: $157/day. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Mississippi State Senate.
House
The House of Representatives is the lower house of the Mississippi State Legislature.
As of the 2020 Census, Mississippi state representatives represented an average of 24,294 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 24,412 residents.
Qualifications
Section 41 of Article 4 of the Mississippi Constitution states, "No person shall be a member of the House of Representatives who shall not have attained the age of twenty-one (21) years, and who shall not be a qualified elector of the State, and who shall not have been a resident citizen of the State for four (4) years, and within the district such person seeks to serve for two (2) years, immediately preceding his election."[4]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Mississippi State Legislature, a special election is required to fill the vacant seat. The governor must call for an election no later than 30 days after the vacancy happened. After the governor sets the election date, the counties conducting the election must be given at least 60 days' notice before the election. All qualifying deadlines are 50 days before the election.[2]
The governor can choose not to issue a writ of election if the vacancy occurs in the same calendar year as the general election for state officials.[2]
See sources: Mississippi Code Ann. § 23-15-851
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $23,500/year | For senators: $166/day. For representatives: $157/day. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Mississippi House of Representatives.
Redistricting
In Mississippi, both congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn by the state legislature. Congressional district lines are approved as regular legislation and are thus subject to veto by the governor. State legislative district boundaries are approved as a joint resolution; as such, they are not subject to gubernatorial veto.[6]
If the legislature cannot approve a state legislative redistricting plan, a five-member commission must draw the lines. This commission comprises the chief justice of the Mississippi Supreme Court, the attorney general, the secretary of state, and the majority leaders of the Mississippi State Senate and the Mississippi House of Representatives.[6]
The Mississippi Constitution requires that state legislative district boundaries be contiguous. State statutes further require that state legislative districts "be compact and cross political boundaries as little as possible."[6]
On July 3, 2025, the state filed a notice of appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of part of a May 7, 2025, federal three-judge panel decision that led to redrawn districts and special elections. The state said the appeal would not affect the special elections.[7]
A legal challenge to the state legislative maps had resulted in a three-judge panel ordering the state to add two new majority-Black Senate districts and one new majority-Black House district by the end of the 2025 legislative session.[8] The legislature approved the new maps on March 5, 2025.[9] On April 15, 2025, a three-judge panel ordered the legislature to redraw the Senate district in DeSoto County and gave the State Board of Election Commissioners seven days to submit a new map.[10] The panel approved revised maps from the Mississippi Election Commission on May 7, 2025, and special elections in the affected districts were scheduled for November 4, 2025.[11]
Mississippi enacted new state legislative district boundaries on March 31, 2022, when both legislative chambers approved district maps for the other chamber.[12] Legislative redistricting in Mississippi is done via a joint resolution and did not require Gov. Tate Reeves' (R) approval.[12] Emily Wagster Pettus of the Associated Press wrote that "Republican legislative leaders said the redistricting plans are likely to maintain their party's majority in each chamber."[13] Pettus also wrote that "Senate President Pro Tempore Dean Kirby of Pearl said the Senate redistricting plan keeps the same number of Republican-leaning and Democratic-leaning districts as now."[13]
Redistricting of the state Senate was approved by the Senate on March 29, 2022, by a vote of 45-7, with 31 Republicans and 14 Democrats in favor and five Republicans and two Democrats voting against.[14] The state House approved the Senate's district boundaries on March 31, 2022, by a vote of 68-49. Sixty-two Republicans, three Democrats, and three independents voted in favor and 35 Democrats and 14 Republicans voted against.[15]
New district boundaries for the Mississippi House of Representatives were approved by the House on March 29, 2022, by an 81-38 vote. Seventy-three Republicans, five Democrats, and three independents voted to enact the new map and 36 Democrats and two Republicans voted against it.[16] The Mississippi Senate approved the House map—41 to 8—on March 31, 2022, with 34 Republicans and seven Democrats voting in favor and all eight votes against by Democrats.[17]
Senate elections
Mississippi state senators serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Mississippi is one of only four states to hold elections during odd years, along with Louisiana, Virginia, and New Jersey.[18]
2027
- See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2027
Elections for the Mississippi State Senate will take place in 2027. The general election is on November 2, 2027.
2023
- See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2023
Elections for the Mississippi State Senate took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was August 8, 2023, and a primary runoff was August 29, 2023. The filing deadline was February 1, 2023.
In the 2023 elections, Republicans maintained their majority and Democrats picked up one seat from 15-36 to 16-36.
| Mississippi State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2023 | After November 8, 2023 | |
| Democratic Party | 15 | 16 | |
| Republican Party | 36 | 36 | |
| Independent | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 52 | 52 | |
2019
- See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2019
Elections for the Mississippi State Senate took place in 2019. The primary was on August 6, 2019, the primary runoff was on August 27, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was March 1, 2019.
| Mississippi State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2019 | After November 6, 2019 | |
| Democratic Party | 18 | 16 | |
| Republican Party | 31 | 36 | |
| Vacancies | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 52 | 52 | |
2015
- See also: Mississippi State Senate elections, 2015
Elections for the Mississippi State Senate took place in 2015. A primary election was held on August 4, 2015, and the general election was held on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 27, 2015.[19] The 2015 election did not change the partisan count of the chamber.
| Mississippi State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2015 | After November 3, 2015 | |
| Democratic Party | 20 | 20 | |
| Republican Party | 32 | 32* | |
| Total | 52 | 52 | |
In District 37, Robert Dearing (D) defeated incumbent Melanie Sojourner (R) by 64 votes. Sojourner formally challenged the outcome of the general election, claiming that there were irregularities at the polls. A Senate committee took up the challenge in January, and the chamber voted 47-3 to seat Dearing.[20][21]
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2011
Elections for the office of Mississippi State Senate took place in 2011. The primary election was held on August 2, 2011, and the general election was held on November 2, 2011. All 52 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Republicans held a 27-24 majority with one vacancy. Republicans gained four seats in the election, giving them a 31-21 majority.
During the 2011 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $4,706,378. The top 10 contributors were:[22]
2007
Elections for the office of Mississippi State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2007, and a general election on November 6, 2007. All 52 seats were up for election. During the 2007 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $5,740,791. The top 10 contributors were:[23]
2003
Elections for the office of Mississippi State Senate consisted of a primary election on August 5, 2003, and a general election on November 4, 2003. All 52 seats were up for election. During the 2003 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $3,676,844. The top 10 contributors were:[24]
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House elections
Mississippi state representatives serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Mississippi holds elections for its legislature in odd years.
2027
Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives will take place in 2027. The general election is on November 2, 2027.
2023
Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2023. The general election was on November 7, 2023. A primary was August 8, 2023, and a primary runoff was August 29, 2023. The filing deadline was February 1, 2023.
In the 2023 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 76-40 to 79-41.
| Mississippi House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 7, 2023 | After November 8, 2023 | |
| Democratic Party | 40 | 41 | |
| Republican Party | 76 | 79 | |
| Independent | 3 | 2 | |
| Vacancy | 3 | 0 | |
| Total | 122 | 122 | |
2019
Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2019. The primary was on August 6, 2019, the primary runoff was on August 27, and the general election was on November 5. The filing deadline for candidates was March 1, 2019.
In the 2019 elections, Republicans increased their majority in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 74-44 to 75-46.
| Mississippi House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 5, 2019 | After November 6, 2019 | |
| Democratic Party | 44 | 46 | |
| Republican Party | 74 | 75 | |
| Independent | 2 | 1 | |
| Vacancies | 2 | 0 | |
| Total | 122 | 122 | |
2015
Elections for the Mississippi House of Representatives took place in 2015. A primary election was held on August 4, 2015. The general election took place on November 3, 2015. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 27, 2015.[25]
Following the 2015 election, House Republicans were one seat away from gaining a supermajority. Republicans reached 73 seats after incumbent Jody Steverson switched his party affiliation from Democratic to Republican. The election in District 79 between incumbent Bo Eaton (D) and Mark Tullos (R) ended in a tie. The tie was decided by drawing straws on November 20. Eaton drew the green straw and won the race, but Tullos filed a challenge with the state House. On January 20, 2016, a special House committee concluded that five votes in the election for District 79 should not have counted. The House committee voted 4-1 to seat Tullos. The House voted 67-49 to unseat Eaton and to move Tullos into the seat.[26][27] This gave Republicans a 74-48 majority.
| Mississippi House of Representatives | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 3, 2015 | After November 3, 2015 | |
| Democratic Party | 54 | 49* | |
| Republican Party | 67 | 73 | |
| Vacancy | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 122 | 122 | |
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2011Elections for the office of Mississippi House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 2, 2011, and a general election on November 8, 2011. All 122 seats were up for election. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 68-54 majority. Democrats lost 10 seats in the election, giving Republicans a 64-58 majority.
During the 2011 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $5,714,010. The top 10 contributors were:[28]
2007Elections for the office of Mississippi House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 7, 2007, and a general election on November 6, 2007. All 122 seats were up for election. During the 2007 election, the total contribution to House candidates was $6,201,617. The top 10 donors were:[29]
2003Elections for the office of Mississippi House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on August 5, 2003, and a general election on November 4, 2003. All 122 seats were up for election. During the 2003 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $4,346,149. The top 10 contributors were:[30]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Mississippi State Legislature
- Mississippi State Senate
- Mississippi House of Representatives
- List of Mississippi state legislative elections
Footnotes
- ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 42," accessed May 22, 2025
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Justia US Law, "2020 Mississippi Code," accessed February 6, 2023 (Statute 23-15-851)
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Mississippi Constitution, "Article 4, Section 41," accessed May 22, 2025
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 All About Redistricting, "Mississippi," accessed May 4, 2015
- ↑ Magnolia Tribune, "Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court coming to address “very narrow, legal issue” in court-ordered legislative redistricting," July 3, 2025
- ↑ Associated Press, "Mississippi can wait to reset legislative districts that dilute Black voting strength, judges say," July 18, 2024
- ↑ Associated Press, "New Mississippi legislative maps head to court for approval despite DeSoto lawmakers’ objections," March 6, 2025
- ↑ DeSoto Times-Tribune, "Judges order new redistricting map for DeSoto," April 16, 2025
- ↑ Mississippi Today, "Federal court approves Mississippi legislative redistricting. Special elections will proceed," May 9, 2025
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House and Senate OK Each Other's Redistricting," April 1, 2022
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Jackson Free Press, "Mississippi House, Senate Pass Separate Redistricting Plans," March 30, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 202-History of Actions, 03/29 (S) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 202-History of Actions, 03/31 (H) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 1-History of Actions, 03/29 (H) Adopted As Amended," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ ‘’Mississippi legislature’’, “Joint Resolution 1-History of Actions, 03/31 (S) Adopted," accessed April 7, 2022
- ↑ The Thicket, "Why do four states have odd-year elections?" August 25, 2011
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections Calendar," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ Associated Press, "Sojourner challenges Mississippi Senate loss to Dearing," December 4, 2015
- ↑ Daily Journal, "Dearing seated as Legislature inches closer to taking up bills," January 19, 2016
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Mississippi 2011 - Candidates," accessed July 29, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Mississippi 2007 - Candidates," accessed July 29, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Mississippi 2003 - Candidates," accessed July 29, 2014
- ↑ Mississippi Secretary of State, "2015 Elections Calendar," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ NY Times, "Republicans Unseat Mississippi Democrat Who Drew Winning Straw After Race Ended in Tie," accessed January 22, 2016
- ↑ Clarion Ledger, "Eaton draws green straw, wins election," accessed November 20, 2015
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Mississippi 2011 - Candidates," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Mississippi 2007 - Candidates," accessed March 24, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Mississippi 2003 - Candidates," accessed March 24, 2014
