# Black voters sway midterms in unexpected places

> Black voters could flip key races in surprising states.
- Title: Black voters sway midterms in unexpected places · Salon
- Summary: Black voters could flip key races in surprising states. Black voter turnout in Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina may shift midterms as Republicans…
- Keywords: black voters, mississippi, louisiana, south carolina, voting rights act, midterms, trump, republicans, democrats, early voting, Salon
- Source: Salon — https://salon.com/2026/11/03/black-voters-could-sway-the-midterms-in-surprising-places
- Author: Heather Digby Parton
- Published: 2026-11-03T11:30:48+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: black voters, mississippi, louisiana, south carolina, voting rights act, midterms, trump, republicans, democrats, early voting, news, politics
## SCOTUS gutted Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court overturned the Voting Rights Act in Louisiana v. Callais.

> Louisiana v. Callais
## Black voters mobilize early
Black Americans are voting early in large numbers, particularly in the South.
## Trump era rights rollbacks
Republicans rolled back rights for women, immigrants, LGBTQ+ and trans people since 2022.
## Historical context for Black voters
Black Americans faced barriers after the Civil War, leading to Jim Crow laws and civil rights struggles.
## Mississippi Senate race
Scott Colom, a Black prosecutor, runs against GOP incumbent Cindy Hyde-Smith.
## Louisiana Senate race
Black voter turnout surges in Louisiana's open Senate seat race.
## South Carolina race
Black voters could flip South Carolina's Senate race with 28% early vote share.
## Blacklash effect
Republicans' attack on Black rights has sparked a 'Blacklash' among Black voters.

> Blacklash
## Early voting data
Black voters drove early voting in Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina.
## Historical pattern
Black voters have historically mobilized against rights rollbacks.
## Key takeaway

Black voter turnout in Mississippi, Louisiana and South Carolina may shift midterms as Republicans attack civil rights.