Southern States Move to Redistrict Under Weakened Voting Rights Act
The New York Times • • general
Key Points:
- Governors Bill Lee of Tennessee and Kay Ivey of Alabama, both Republicans, announced special legislative sessions to redraw House maps following a Supreme Court decision weakening the Voting Rights Act.
- The Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map as an illegal racial gerrymander, prompting delays and reconsideration of district boundaries in several Southern states.
- Republicans, under pressure from former President Trump and party leaders, are aiming to dilute majority-Black districts to create more Republican seats ahead of the November midterms.
- Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District, a majority-Black district centered around Memphis and the only district to elect a Black representative in the state’s history, is a key target for redistricting efforts.
- Governors emphasized the need for new maps to be fair, legal, and reflective of voters’ will, with Tennessee’s special session set to begin next week to enact changes promptly.
