The Battle Over Black Representation in the South

About this episode

The approach to this year’s midterms has brought two hugely consequential changes to voting for Black Americans: the gutting of the Voting Rights Act, and redistricting. In the wake of those actions, efforts are underway to mobilize Black voters in the South. In Mississippi, the Senate battle is being seen as a sleeper race, and the Black Democrat running has a chance of flipping the seat, but state lawmakers are trying to redraw the maps and do away with their one majority Black district. Today, Emily Cochrane, a reporter covering the American South for The New York Times, addresses the implications for voters across the region — not just in the midterms, but for years to come. Guest: Emily Cochrane, a national reporter for The New York Times covering the American South. Background reading: • Black Democratic candidates running in the South have implored Black voters to go to the polls in response to the gutting of the Voting Rights Act. • High-profile Democrats across the country have some hope in Scott Colom’s bid for a seat in the Senate. Photo: Anna Foley/The New York Times For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode