Every Mississippian deserves to have his or her voice heard in shaping the future of our state. The Mississippi Standing Joint Legislative Committee on Reapportionment and Redistricting public hearings provide this important opportunity.
Redistricting may sound technical, but its impact is deeply personal. The boundaries of our state’s districts help determine who represents our communities in all levels of government.
This is why your participation matters.
Public hearings give Mississippians an opportunity to share what makes our communities unique and what decision-makers should understand when considering each district boundary. Whether someone is a parent, small-business owner, farmer, educator, student, retiree or community leader, their perspective can contribute valuable information to the process.
Participation also strengthens public confidence in the process. Redistricting decisions should not feel distant from your communities. Engaging in the open process gives citizens the opportunity to listen, ask questions, and offer their own views. It allows the individual voices across Mississippi to be heard, not simply those who regularly participate in government.
Ultimately, we may not agree on every boundary or proposal as that is part of representative government and the way our country was founded. The goal of public hearings is not to produce unanimous opinions, but to ensure citizens have a meaningful opportunity to engage before important decisions are made.
Our state is strongest when Mississippians take an active role in their government. These hearings offer a direct way to contribute. So, bring your knowledge of your community, speak respectfully, listen to your neighbors, and participate. We can have hard conversations while maintaining decorum.
I encourage all Mississippians to attend a hearing in their area, learn about the redistricting process, and have their voices heard.
Schedule of Hearings
- Aug. 18 - Itawamba Community College in Tupelo
- Aug. 27 - Northwest Mississippi Community College in Senatobia
- Sept. 1 - Delta State University in Cleveland
- Sept. 8 - Alcorn State University in Natchez
- Sept.10 - Meridian Community College in Meridian
- Sept. 17 - the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg
- Sept. 22 - Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gulfport
- Oct. 1 - Mississippi State Capitol in Jackson
(**Note: all hearings scheduled to begin at 6:00 p.m.)
MICHAEL WATSON
Secretary of State
State of Mississippi