Full Breakdown
Federal Judges Approve Tennessee Map That Splits Memphis Majority-Black District
7/24/2026, 12:54:52 PM
Core Event
A three-judge federal panel declined to issue a preliminary injunction, allowing Tennessee to use a newly drawn congressional map that divides the city’s majority-Black district. The decision clears the way for the map’s use in the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Background & Context
The redistricting follows a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in late April that struck down a Louisiana majority-Black district as an unconstitutional racial gerrerry, thereby weakening protections in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. President Donald Trump subsequently urged Republican-led states to redraw districts to preserve the party’s narrow House majority. Tennessee joined at least seven other GOP-controlled states in revising its congressional boundaries after the ruling.
Official Statements & Responses
Republican-aligned Tennessee election officials, represented by attorney Taylor Meehan, contended that the map was drawn for partisan reasons, not racial ones, and that it was too late to revert because primary ballots had already been finalized. Meehan added that “racial data was turned off” during the drafting process. The judges’ opinion echoed this view, emphasizing the absence of direct proof of racial intent.
Criticism & Opposition
Civil-rights advocates argue the map dismantles the state’s sole majority-Black congressional district, which had been represented for about two decades by Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen. After the redraw, Cohen announced he would not seek reelection.
Amber Sherman, a Memphis voter and plaintiff, described the ruling as “painful” and said: “We deserve the same opportunity to shape our future as anyone else,” — Amber Sherman She added,
Ari Savitzky of the American Civil Liberties Union Voting Rights Project told the judges that an “essentially an all-white-controlled legislative body” deliberately eliminated the state’s lone pocket of Black political power.
Early voting began July 17, and two voters cast ballots on July 22 under the new district configuration.
