Mississippi's 4th Congressional District
A dated list of changes to how Americans vote: district maps, polling places and drop boxes, voting laws and rules, and courts and election officials. Each entry says who did what and when, shows what became of it, and links to the page it rests on. Attempts that failed are listed as failed. Entries that rest on a news report name the outlet.
This is the district view: events tagged to this congressional district, then events that apply across Mississippi, then national events. An event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district. See all of Mississippi.
In Mississippi's 4th Congressional District
No events have been tagged to Mississippi's 4th Congressional District yet. District events are added over time. The state and national events below also apply here.
Across Mississippi
2026
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Governor approves the SHIELD Act on citizenship verification of voter registrants (SB 2588)
Senate Bill 2588 of 2026, the "Safeguard Honest Integrity in Elections for Lasting Democracy (SHIELD) Act," requires registrars to enter each applicant's information into the federal SAVE system and requires the Secretary of State to compare the statewide voter records with the SAVE database annually. The Legislature's history shows it passed the Senate February 5 and the House March 4, the Senate concurred March 23, and "Approved by Governor" April 1, 2026; the bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
- Mississippi Legislature: SB 2588 (2026), history of actions ↗
- Mississippi Legislature: SB 2588 (2026), as passed the Senate ↗
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2013
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Justice Department makes no Section 5 decision on Mississippi's voter ID law after Shelby County v. Holder
Mississippi's voter ID submission was still pending when the Supreme Court decided Shelby County v. Holder on June 25, 2013. The Justice Department announced that for Section 5 submissions "pending as of June 25, 2013," its written response would say "no determination will be made under Section 5 by the Attorney General on the specified change," adding that "this is not a determination on the merits." The Secretary of State's account says the Department advised the same for pending submissions, and that Mississippi first required photo ID at the polls in the June 3, 2014 congressional primary.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Voting Section page (archived Jan. 6, 2015): notice on Section 5 submissions pending as of June 25, 2013 ↗
- Mississippi Secretary of State: "Not Our Grandfathers' Mississippi" (Mississippi Law Journal, Vol. 85:6), account of the voter ID preclearance submission ↗
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
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Mississippi Secretary of State submits proposed voter ID procedures to the Justice Department for Section 5 review
Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann sent Mississippi's voter ID submission to the Justice Department's Voting Section in a letter dated January 18, 2013. His office's account says it contained the proposed administrative rules, the results of an exit survey of about 6,000 voters, video of the Legislature's floor debates on House Bill 921 and transcripts of the Initiative 27 hearings, and that between January and June 2013 the Department asked for more information and the state supplied almost 5,000 pages. The Dispatch of Columbus reported the submission on January 30, 2013.
- Mississippi Secretary of State: "Not Our Grandfathers' Mississippi" (Mississippi Law Journal, Vol. 85:6), account of the voter ID preclearance submission ↗
- The Dispatch (Columbus, Miss.), "Miss. submits proposed voter ID rules to feds," Jan. 30, 2013 ↗ News report, The Dispatch
Source last checked Oct 21, 2026
2012
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Governor signs House Bill 921, the law carrying out the voter ID amendment, pending federal review
Governor Phil Bryant signed House Bill 921 on May 17, 2012, "pending preclearance under Section 5," according to the Secretary of State's account. The law required voters appearing in person to show current and valid photo identification from eight categories, and created a free Mississippi Voter Identification Card available at circuit clerks' offices.
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
2011
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Voters approve a constitutional amendment requiring photo identification at the polls (Initiative 27)
The Secretary of State's office states that "More than 62% of Mississippi voters approved a citizen-initiated Constitutional Amendment on November 8, 2011, which requires eligible voters to present a photo ID before casting a ballot in person at the polls or in a Circuit Clerk's Office."
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
2010
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Justice Department objects to a majority-vote requirement for county boards of education and certain municipal and special school boards
On March 24, 2010 the Justice Department wrote that, regarding Chapter 469 (H.B. 877 of 2009) on majority-vote requirements, "on behalf of the Attorney General, I must object to the proposed changes," after concluding that the state's burden under Section 5 had not been sustained.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Mississippi (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Mississippi, March 24, 2010 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
1997
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Justice Department objects to Mississippi's administrative plan for implementing the National Voter Registration Act
In a letter of September 22, 1997 the Justice Department wrote: "on behalf of the Attorney General, I must object to Mississippi's administrative plan for implementation of the NVRA." The letter says that until the objection is withdrawn or a D.C. court judgment is obtained, the objected-to changes remain legally unenforceable.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Mississippi (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Mississippi, September 22, 1997 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
1992
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Justice Department objects to part of the witness certification requirement for Mississippi mail-in voter registration
The Justice Department's May 1, 1992 letter on the voucher requirement for mail-in registration states that the Attorney General "does not interpose any objection to the submitted changes, except for one part of the witness certification requirement discussed below," and that the Department reserved the right to reexamine the changes.
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Mississippi (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Mississippi, May 1, 1992 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
1986
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Justice Department objects to anti-single-shot voting provisions in 24 Mississippi circuit and chancery court districts
In a letter of July 1, 1986 the Justice Department wrote: "on behalf of the Attorney General, I must object to the incorporation of anti-single-shot voting provisions in the 24 multi-judge circuit and chancery court districts created after November 1, 1964."
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Mississippi (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Mississippi, July 1, 1986 ↗
Source last checked Oct 20, 2026
1969
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Justice Department objects under Section 5 to Mississippi's repeal of assistance to illiterate voters
In a Section 5 letter of May 26, 1969 the Justice Department addressed Chapter 19 of the 1965 Extraordinary Session, which repealed the statute providing assistance to illiterate voters. The letter states that, "on behalf of the Attorney General," it was interposing an objection to the repeal, noting that the duty to give such assistance had been set out in United States v. Mississippi, 256 F. Supp. 344 (S.D. Miss. 1966).
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division: Voting Determination Letters for Mississippi (index) ↗
- U.S. Department of Justice: Section 5 determination letter, State of Mississippi, May 26, 1969 ↗
Source last checked Oct 23, 2026
Nationwide
2026
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Postal Service issues final rule on ballot mail for federal elections
The Postal Service's final rule "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections" was published August 26, 2026 and states that it is effective August 21, 2026. It says it responds to Executive Order 14399 and received "more than 200,000 responses" during the comment period. The rule says that, because of injunctions in two Massachusetts cases, the Postal Service "will not take actions to implement the rule specifically for the 2026 election" unless the government obtains relief from them. On September 13, 2026, a federal court in Washington granted preliminary injunctions against the rule.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes bill with a photo-ID voting requirement; Senate cloture vote fails, 53-47, on September 30, 2026
On July 22, 2026, the House passed H.R. 7008, the Stop Insider Trading Act, by 232 to 198 (Roll no. 280). Section 3 of the House-passed text is titled "Requiring voters to provide photo identification." On September 30, 2026, the Senate voted 53 to 47 on cloture on the motion to proceed, and the bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 253).
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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Postal Service proposes a rule on ballot mail for federal elections
On June 2, 2026, the Postal Service published a proposed rule, "Ballot Mail for Federal Elections," to amend its Domestic Mail Manual on the transmission of mail-in or absentee ballots for federal elections. The final rule says the comment period closed on July 2, 2026.
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (proposed rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 32915 (GovInfo) ↗
- Ballot Mail for Federal Elections (final rule), 91 Fed. Reg. 54966 (GovInfo) ↗
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14399 on citizenship verification and mail ballots
Executive Order 14399, "Ensuring Citizenship Verification and Integrity in Federal Elections," is dated March 31, 2026 and was published in the Federal Register on April 3, 2026. Section 2 directs the Department of Homeland Security to compile and transmit to each state a "State Citizenship List." Section 3 directs the Postmaster General to begin a rulemaking on mail-in and absentee ballots within 60 days. Courts later enjoined parts of the Postal Service rule that followed.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes SAVE America Act text as an amendment to S. 1383, 218-213
On February 11, 2026, the House passed S. 1383 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute, by 218 to 213 (Roll no. 69). The House-passed text is titled the "SAVE America Act." On March 17, 2026, the Senate agreed 51 to 48 to a motion to proceed to the House message on S. 1383 (Record Vote 57). On March 21, 2026, a cloture vote on a related motion was "not invoked" by 41 to 49 (Record Vote 61). The bill record lists no final Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2025
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Postal Service adds a Domestic Mail Manual section defining postmarks
On November 24, 2025, the Postal Service published a final rule adding section 608.11, "Postmarks and Postal Possession," to the Domestic Mail Manual, effective December 24, 2025. It says the new language "does not change any existing postal operations or postmarking practices" and is intended to improve public understanding of postmarks and the date of mailing.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes SAVE Act, 220-208; Senate does not act
On April 10, 2025, the House passed H.R. 22, the SAVE Act, by 220 to 208 (Roll no. 102). The bill was received in the Senate the same day; the bill record lists no later action, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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President signs Executive Order 14248 on federal elections
Executive Order 14248, "Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections," is dated March 25, 2025 and was published in the Federal Register on March 28, 2025. Section 2 is titled "Enforcing the Citizenship Requirement for Federal Elections," Section 4 "Improving the Election Assistance Commission," and Section 7 "Compliance with Federal Law Setting the National Election Day." Courts later enjoined parts of it.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2022
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Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022 becomes law
Division P of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 (Public Law 117-328, signed December 29, 2022) may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022." Title I may be cited as the "Electoral Count Reform Act of 2022."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
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Senate cloture on the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act fails, 49-51
On January 19, 2022, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to concur in the House amendment to H.R. 5746, the Freedom to Vote: John R. Lewis Act, and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 9). The bill record also lists a motion by Senator Schumer to appeal the ruling of the chair as "not agreed to," on the question "Shall the decision of the Chair stand as the judgement of the Senate," by 52 to 48 (Record Vote 10). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
2021
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Senate vote to begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act fails, 49-51
On October 20, 2021, the Senate voted 49 to 51 on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2747, the Freedom to Vote Act. The bill record says cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 420). The bill did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act; Senate cloture vote on November 3, 2021 is 50-49 and fails
On August 24, 2021, the House passed H.R. 4, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021, by 219 to 212 (Roll no. 260). On November 3, 2021, a Senate vote on cloture on the motion to proceed to the companion bill, S. 4, was 50 to 49 and cloture was "not invoked" (Record Vote 459). Neither bill became law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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For the People Act of 2021 passes the House; Senate committee discharge vote is 50-49 and the bill stalls
On March 3, 2021, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2021, by 220 to 210 (Roll no. 62). On June 22, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 50 (Roll call 246) on cloture on the motion to proceed to S. 2093, the For the People Act of 2021, which required 3/5 of the Senate; the Senate roll call records the result as "Cloture on the Motion to Proceed Rejected." On August 11, 2021, the Senate voted 50 to 49 to discharge its Rules and Administration Committee from the companion bill, S. 1 (Roll call 358). The bill records list no Senate vote on passage, and neither bill became law.
- H.R. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- S. 1 (117th Congress) bill status, GovInfo ↗
- U.S. Senate Roll Call Vote 117th Congress, 1st Session, Vote 246 (June 22, 2021) ↗
Source last checked Oct 22, 2026
2019
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House passes Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On December 6, 2019, the House passed H.R. 4, the Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019, by 228 to 187 (Roll no. 654). It was received in the Senate on December 9, 2019 and referred to the Judiciary Committee; the bill record lists no Senate vote, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 31, 2026
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House passes For the People Act of 2019; no Senate vote follows
On March 8, 2019, the House passed H.R. 1, the For the People Act of 2019, by 234 to 193 (Roll no. 118). The bill was received in the Senate on March 12, 2019 and placed on the Senate calendar; the bill record lists no Senate vote on passage, and it did not become law.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2018
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President signs Executive Order 13848 on foreign interference in U.S. elections
Executive Order 13848, dated September 12, 2018, imposes sanctions authority in the event of foreign interference in a U.S. election. The order says "there has been no evidence of a foreign power altering the outcome or vote tabulation in any United States election" and declares a national emergency over the threat of interference.
Source last checked Nov 1, 2026
2009
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Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act becomes law
Section 575 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84, dated October 28, 2009) may be cited as the "Military and Overseas Voter Empowerment Act." It adds a requirement that states transmit a validly requested absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter not later than 45 days before a federal election, when the request is received at least 45 days before it.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2006
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Voting Rights Act reauthorized and amended in 2006
Public Law 109-246, dated July 27, 2006, may be cited as the "Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006." Among other changes it amended Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act and replaced the references to the 1982 amendments in Section 4(a).
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
2002
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Help America Vote Act of 2002 becomes law
Public Law 107-252, dated October 29, 2002, is titled, in part, "To establish a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card voting systems, to establish the Election Assistance Commission" to assist in the administration of federal elections, and "to establish minimum election administration standards for States and units of local government with responsibility for the administration of Federal elections."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1993
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National Voter Registration Act of 1993 becomes law
Public Law 103-31, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993, is dated May 20, 1993. The law states its purpose as "to establish procedures that will increase the number of eligible citizens who register to vote in elections for Federal office."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1986
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Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act becomes law
Public Law 99-410, dated August 28, 1986, may be cited as the "Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act." Its subject is voting in federal elections by members of the uniformed services and by citizens living overseas.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1982
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1982 become law
Public Law 97-205, dated June 29, 1982, rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to bar any practice "imposed or applied by any State or political subdivision in a manner which results in a denial or abridgement of the right of any citizen of the United States to vote on account of race or color." It also provided that a section 4 provision expires "at the end of the twenty-five-year period following the effective date" of the 1982 amendments.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1975
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Voting Rights Act extended in 1975, with language-minority protections
Public Law 94-73, dated August 6, 1975, is titled "To amend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 to extend certain provisions for an additional seven years, to make permanent the ban against certain prerequisites to voting, and for other purposes." It also provides that no voting qualification may be imposed "to deny or abridge the right of any citizen of the United States to vote because he is a member of a language minority group."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1971
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26th Amendment ratified: voting age of 18
The National Archives lists the 26th Amendment as passed by Congress on March 23, 1971, and ratified on July 1, 1971. It reads: "The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age."
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1970
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Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 become law
Public Law 91-285, dated June 22, 1970, is titled "To extend the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with respect to the discriminatory use of tests, and for other purposes." It may be cited as the Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
1965
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Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law
President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law on August 6, 1965. The National Archives says the act outlawed the discriminatory voting practices adopted in many southern states after the Civil War.
Source last checked Oct 29, 2026
How this timeline is built
Every entry rests on at least one source that was opened and read, and that source states the date and the fact. Courts, legislatures, election offices, the Justice Department, the Census Bureau, the Federal Register and Congress.gov come first. A news report is used only when no official page states the fact, and it is labeled with the outlet's name. Encyclopedias are not used as sources. History starts in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act. County names come from the Census Bureau's 2024 Gazetteer. Congressional district numbers are those in use for the 2026 election; an event is tagged to a district only when its source names that congressional district.
When a later event changes an earlier one, such as a law later struck down, both entries are listed and point to each other. This page does not predict outcomes or say which party a change helps. U.S. House maps for 2026 · How people voted in past elections, by county · Back to the 2026 voting center.