Tennessee will consider redrawing US House district centered on Memphis

Key Points:

• Following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Republican lawmakers in Southern states like Tennessee, Alabama, and Louisiana are initiating special sessions to redraw congressional districts ahead of the November midterm elections, aiming to reduce majority-Black districts that have historically elected Democrats.
• The Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s current congressional map for relying too heavily on race to create a second Black-majority district, a decision that threatens decades of progress in minority voting rights and has encouraged similar efforts in other states.
• In Alabama, protests erupted against the special session called to consider new maps that could favor Republicans, with civil rights advocates emphasizing the ongoing struggle to protect Black voting rights; meanwhile, Tennessee’s plan targets breaking up Memphis’ majority-Black Democratic district.
• Louisiana has delayed its May 16 congressional primary to allow time for redistricting, with lawmakers considering options that could eliminate one or both majority-Black districts, while Democrats and civil rights groups file lawsuits and urge voters to participate despite the uncertainty.
• Beyond the South, states like Florida have also enacted new House maps favoring Republicans, potentially shifting the balance of power in Congress, with Republicans aiming to gain up to 13 seats across five states and Democrats targeting up to 10 seats in three states.