Mississippi pushes state-level Voting Rights Act to shield voters as federal protections wobble

Mississippi lawmakers introduced a state-level Voting Rights Act that would create a Mississippi voting rights commission and require pre-clearance for changes to election policy, aiming to protect minority voters amid ongoing doubts about federal protections after Supreme Court rulings. The bill follows broader momentum for state-level acts, supported by legal groups that argue state laws can strengthen voting rights even if federal protections weaken, though its passage remains uncertain as it faces committee hurdles.