Tennessee Republicans' new map aims to ax Democratic House seat : NPR
NPR • • general
Key Points:
- Tennessee Republicans passed a new congressional map splitting Shelby County, home to majority-Black Memphis, into three districts to eliminate the state's only Democratic-held seat.
- This move follows the U.S. Supreme Court's recent weakening of the Voting Rights Act protections against racial discrimination in redistricting.
- The redistricting effort sparked protests and a Democratic walkout at the state capitol, with critics labeling the map as racially motivated and an attempt to secure an all-Republican delegation.
- Tennessee Governor Bill Lee called a special session and signed a bill allowing mid-decade redistricting, aligning with former President Trump's push for GOP-led states to redraw maps before the 2024 midterms.
- Similar efforts are underway in other southern states to eliminate majority-Black, Democratic-held districts, potentially increasing Republican advantages in redistricting battles nationwide.
