Skip to page content
Power & PoliticsUnited States edition
Sections
Only your five-digit ZIP code is sent. We never ask for your address.
Independent · nonpartisan
Voting history · Mississippi

Mississippi

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 state view: events recorded for Mississippi, then national events that apply here. See the national timeline.

Congressional districts in Mississippi

Choose a district to see the events tagged to it. A number after the district is how many events name it.

Kind of event
Decade

In Mississippi

1979

  1. Oct 16, 1979 County Polling places and drop boxes Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects to Tunica County's switch from paper ballots to a punch card voting system

    On October 16, 1979 the Justice Department wrote to a Tunica attorney about Tunica County's change from paper ballot voting to an electronic punch card system. The letter said the change "will have a potentially harmful effect on black voters, because no notice has been given of the change, and no demonstration of the use of the machine has taken place," and that the short time before the November 6 general election was insufficient "to effectively notify the voters of the change, and to instruct them properly in the use of the punch card machine." It objected on behalf of the Attorney General.

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

1978

  1. Nov 27, 1978 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Walthall County: Redistricting (supervisors' districts)

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated November 27, 1978, to Walthall County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting (supervisors' districts)." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1977

  1. Oct 28, 1977 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Sidon (Leflore County): Annexation

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated October 28, 1977, to Sidon (Leflore County). The list describes the change as "Annexation." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Jul 8, 1977 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in State (Coahoma, DeSoto, Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica and Yazoo Counties)

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated July 8, 1977, to State (Coahoma, DeSoto, Holmes, Humphreys, Leflore, Quitman, Sunflower, Tallahatchie, Tunica and Yazoo Counties). The list describes the change as "Section 37-5-15 (1972 Code)--board of education in ten counties elected at-large with residency districts." The list links the objection letter.

    Counties: Coahoma County, DeSoto County, Holmes County, Humphreys County, Leflore County, Quitman County, Sunflower County, Tallahatchie County, Tunica County, Yazoo County

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Apr 13, 1977 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Canton (Madison County): Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated April 13, 1977, to Canton (Madison County). The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Apr 4, 1977 County Laws and rules Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Lee County: Re-registration

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated April 4, 1977, to Lee County. The list describes the change as "Re-registration." The list adds the note "Withdrawn 8-19-77 upon submission of modifications to procedures." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. Feb 25, 1977 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Lexington (Holmes County): At-large elections

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated February 25, 1977, to Lexington (Holmes County). The list describes the change as "At-large elections." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Jan 24, 1977 County Laws and rules Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Tunica County: Elective to appointive (superintendent of education)

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated January 24, 1977, to Tunica County. The list describes the change as "Elective to appointive (superintendent of education)." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1976

  1. Dec 3, 1976 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects to Jackson's 1976 annexation as it affects voting

    On December 3, 1976 the Justice Department wrote to the Jackson city attorney about the city's annexation, with precinct lines and polling places for the annexed area. The letter said that taken together the three annexations had added whites and blacks at almost a five-to-one ratio (53,765 to 11,481), that Jackson elected its mayor and two commissioners at large with a majority vote and full slate voting, and that no black had ever been elected to the council. It concluded: "Accordingly, I must on behalf of the Attorney General enter an objection to the implementation of the submitted annexation to the extent that it affects voting in the City of Jackson," while stating the objection did not affect the annexation's legality under federal law.

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  2. Oct 1, 1976 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Vicksburg (Warren County): Annexation

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated October 1, 1976, to Vicksburg (Warren County). The list describes the change as "Annexation." The list adds the note "Withdrawn 4-28-77 upon submission of single-member district plan." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Sep 20, 1976 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Kosciusko (Attala County): At-large elections

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated September 20, 1976, to Kosciusko (Attala County). The list describes the change as "At-large elections; numbered posts; majority vote requirement." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Mar 30, 1976 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Grenada County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated March 30, 1976, to Grenada County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1975

  1. Dec 1, 1975 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in State (Kemper, Warren, Marshall, Benton and Leake Counties): Districts to at-large elections (board of education)

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated December 1, 1975, to State (Kemper, Warren, Marshall, Benton and Leake Counties). The list describes the change as "Section 37-5-13 (1972 Code)--districts to at-large elections (board of education)." The list links the objection letter.

    Counties: Kemper County, Warren County, Marshall County, Benton County, Leake County

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Jul 25, 1975 County Polling places and drop boxes Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects to polling place changes in two of Clay County's supervisory beats

    In a letter of July 25, 1975 the Justice Department did not object to the polling places in supervisory Beats 3, 4 and 5 but wrote that "on behalf of the Attorney General, I must interpose an objection to the implementation of the polling place changes in the currently submitted Supervisory Beats 1 and 2." The proposed polling places were in the City of West Point.

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  3. Jun 23, 1975 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Lowndes County School District: Districts to at-large elections

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated June 23, 1975, to Lowndes County School District. The list describes the change as "Districts to at-large elections." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Jun 16, 1975 County Polling places and drop boxes Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects to a polling place change in Warren County's Jonestown precinct

    On June 16, 1975 the Justice Department responded to Warren County's submission of polling place changes in the Yokena and Jonestown precincts. It did not object to the Yokena change. For Jonestown, it wrote that the proposed site was "approximately 5 miles from the predominantly black areas in the Jonestown precinct," with no public transportation, in a white residential neighborhood, and that a request by members of the black community for a more convenient site had been denied for lack of time. The letter said the Attorney General was "unable to conclude, as he must under the Voting Rights Act, that the proposed change in the Jonestown precinct will not have a racially discriminatory effect on voting" and interposed an objection.

    Related: Justice Department objects to polling place changes in two of Clay County's supervisory beats

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  5. Apr 8, 1975 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Bolivar County Board of Education: District to at-large elections

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated April 8, 1975, to Bolivar County Board of Education. The list describes the change as "District to at-large elections." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Feb 5, 1975 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Grenada (Grenada County): Annexations

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated February 5, 1975, to Grenada (Grenada County). The list describes the change as "Annexations." The list adds the note "Withdrawn 6-25-76 upon annexation of minority area." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1974

  1. Sep 3, 1974 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Attala County: Redistricting of board of supervisors

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated September 3, 1974, to Attala County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting of board of supervisors." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1973

  1. Nov 21, 1973 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Pearl (Rankin County): Incorporation

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated November 21, 1973, to Pearl (Rankin County). The list describes the change as "Incorporation." The list adds the note "Withdrawn 1-3-74 upon modification of annexation policies." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Nov 21, 1973 County Laws and rules Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Shaw (Bolivar County): Appointment of city clerk

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated November 21, 1973, to Shaw (Bolivar County). The list describes the change as "Appointment of city clerk." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Aug 9, 1973 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Grenada County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated August 9, 1973, to Grenada County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Jul 9, 1973 County Laws and rules Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Hollandale (Washington County): Appointment of city clerk

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated July 9, 1973, to Hollandale (Washington County). The list describes the change as "Appointment of city clerk." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. May 30, 1973 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in McComb (Pike County): Annexation

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated May 30, 1973, to McComb (Pike County). The list describes the change as "Annexation." The list adds the note "Withdrawn 9-12-73." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  6. Apr 20, 1973 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Indianola (Sunflower County): Numbered posts

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated April 20, 1973, to Indianola (Sunflower County). The list describes the change as "Numbered posts." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1972

  1. Nov 28, 1972 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Tate County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated November 28, 1972, to Tate County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Mar 20, 1972 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Grenada (Grenada County): At-large elections

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated March 20, 1972, to Grenada (Grenada County). The list describes the change as "At-large elections; numbered posts; majority vote requirement." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1971

  1. Dec 3, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Marshall County: Precinct lines

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated December 3, 1971, to Marshall County. The list describes the change as "Precinct lines; polling places." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  2. Dec 3, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Tate County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated December 3, 1971, to Tate County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting; precinct lines; polling place." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  3. Jul 19, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Yazoo County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated July 19, 1971, to Yazoo County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  4. Jul 16, 1971 County Polling places and drop boxes Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Lafayette County: Polling place

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated July 16, 1971, to Lafayette County. The list describes the change as "Polling place." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  5. Jul 14, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to Hinds County's new supervisors' districts

    In a letter of July 14, 1971 the Justice Department wrote: "I must interpose an objection on behalf of the Attorney General to the implementation of the submitted Hinds County supervisors' districts." It did not object to the county's re-registration of voters at that time, but said the proposed districts could not be used.

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  6. Jun 30, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Attala County: Numbered posts

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated June 30, 1971, to Attala County. The list describes the change as "Numbered posts; At-large elections with residency districts (Board of Supervisors)." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  7. Jun 30, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Grenada County: At-large elections

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated June 30, 1971, to Grenada County. The list describes the change as "At-large elections; multi-member plan; numbered posts." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  8. Jun 8, 1971 County Laws and rules Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to Jasper County's voter re-registration

    In a letter of June 8, 1971 the Justice Department stated that voters of Jasper County "were not provided adequate notice and opprotunity [sic] to reregister" and interposed an objection to the county's re-registration, noting that the objection "is based on information presently available" and does not bar the county from bringing additional facts.

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  9. May 25, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Marion County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated May 25, 1971, to Marion County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  10. Apr 4, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Warren County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated April 4, 1971, to Warren County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

  11. Jan 8, 1971 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to a change in Leake County: Redistricting

    The Justice Department's list of Section 5 objections for Mississippi records an objection letter dated January 8, 1971, to Leake County. The list describes the change as "Redistricting." The list links the objection letter.

    Source last checked Oct 24, 2026

1970

  1. Mar 5, 1970 County Maps and lines Blocked by federal objection

    Justice Department objects under Section 5 to Copiah County's supervisor districts

    The Justice Department's letter of March 5, 1970 concerns changes in the county's supervisory district lines. The author wrote that he felt "constrained to object on behalf of the Attorney General" to implementing them, and invited the county to submit an alternative plan.

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

Nationwide

1975

  1. Aug 6, 1975 National Laws and rules Enacted

    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

  1. Jul 1, 1971 National Laws and rules Enacted

    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."

    Related: Supreme Court decides Oregon v. Mitchell

    Source last checked Oct 29, 2026

1970

  1. Dec 21, 1970 National Courts and officials Decided by a court

    Supreme Court decides Oregon v. Mitchell

    On December 21, 1970, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the 1970 Voting Rights Act Amendments. The Court's syllabus says the 18-year-old minimum-age requirement is valid for national elections but not valid for state and local elections, and that the literacy test provision is valid.

    Related: Voting Rights Act Amendments of 1970 become law · 26th Amendment ratified: voting age of 18

    Source last checked Oct 23, 2026

  2. Jun 22, 1970 National Laws and rules Enacted

    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.

    Related: Supreme Court decides Oregon v. Mitchell · Voting Rights Act of 1965 signed into law

    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.