On December 19, U.S. District Court Judge Sharion Aycock ordered Mississippi to hold elections for some State Supreme Court seats in 2026. The same judge had earlier ruled that the three districts for State Supreme Court elections violate the federal Voting Rights Act. The legislature is expected to draw new boundaries in early 2026. The state did not want to hold any elections for that office until 2028. Here is the ruling. White v State Board of Election Commissioners, n.d., 4:22cv-62.

Even though Mississippi holds elections for statewide executive posts and legislature in odd years before presidential years, the state’s State Supreme Court elections are always in even years. The terms are eight years. Judicial elections are nonpartisan.