Federal judges allow new Tennessee congressional map that splits majority-Black district in Memphis
Summary
A federal court allowed Tennessee to use a new congressional map that splits a majority-Black district in Memphis. This map change favors Republicans and will be used in the upcoming August primary elections, following a recent Supreme Court decision affecting voting rights protections.Key Facts
- A federal panel of three judges approved Tennessee’s new congressional map without blocking it before the August 6 primary.
- The new map divides a majority-Black district in Memphis that has been represented by Democrat Steve Cohen.
- Tennessee revised its districts after a Supreme Court ruling weakened protections for minority voters under the Voting Rights Act.
- President Donald Trump encouraged Republican states to redraw districts to gain more seats in Congress during the 2024 midterms.
- Republicans said the redistricting was based on politics, not race; opponents said it violated the Constitution by discriminating racially.
- The judges found no direct proof that racial bias motivated the map, pointing instead to political reasons.
- The Supreme Court decision reduced the power of districts created to help minorities elect preferred candidates.
- Tennessee is one of eight Republican-led states redrawing districts mid-decade to try to keep control of the House of Representatives.
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