Joseph Thomas v. Phil BryantJoseph Thomas v. Phil Bryant
Before DAVIS, HIGGINSON, and WILLETT, Circuit Judges.
PER CURIAM:
In this case, a majority of the merits panel affirms the district court‘s judgment declaring that the redistricting plan, adopted by the Mississippi Legislature in 2012, violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in that the boundary lines of Senate District 22 dilute African-American voting strength. After the appeal was filed, the Mississippi Legislature adopted a resolution redrawing the boundaries of District 22 to cure the violation found by the district court. The plaintiffs agreed that District 22, as now reconfigured, did remedy the violation. We therefore recognize that District 22, as reconfigured by the Legislature, is the operative district for the upcoming primary and general elections.
One member of the panel dissents and would reverse the district court‘s judgment.
Detailed opinions will follow.