Civil and voting rights groups have filed a lawsuit against Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and other state officials over the state’s congressional and state Senate maps. The groups argue that these maps are discriminatory and violate the constitutional rights of voters of color. They specifically allege that the Republican-controlled state legislature diluted the voting power of Black residents through redistricting around Memphis and Nashville. The plaintiffs are asking the court to prevent any further elections in these districts until the maps are revised.
This lawsuit comes as several states are facing redistricting challenges ahead of the 2024 election, which will determine control of the US House of Representatives. The maps approved by the Tennessee legislature are accused of intentionally eroding the voices of communities of color in the state. Debby Gould, president of the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, stated that the maps are designed to disenfranchise voters of color.
The lawsuit was brought by several organizations, including the League of Women Voters of Tennessee, the Tennessee State Conference of the NAACP, The Equity Alliance, Memphis A. Philip Randolph Institute, African American Clergy Collective of Tennessee, and five individuals. The defendants listed in the lawsuit include Governor Bill Lee, Secretary of State Tre Hargett, the state’s election commission, and seven members of the commission.
One of the key points highlighted in the lawsuit is the division of Davidson County, which includes Nashville, into three separate congressional districts. This division is claimed to have diluted the voting power of the Black population and made the county more favorable to Republicans. Under the new congressional map, Democrats lost a favorable district while Republicans gained one. As a result, Tennessee now has only one Democrat-leaning congressional district compared to eight Republican-leaning districts.
The lawsuit also challenges the new state Senate map that splits Shelby County, which includes Memphis. The plaintiffs argue that this division significantly reduces the Black and Hispanic population in a Senate district, preventing voters of color from electing their preferred candidates.
Similar redistricting challenges are taking place in other states such as Alabama, North Carolina, Ohio, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, and Texas. These challenges have national importance as they could determine whether Republicans maintain or expand their slim majority in the US House of Representatives.
In late July, Alabama’s GOP-majority legislature approved new maps after the US Supreme Court ruled that the existing map likely violated federal voting law by diluting the voting power of Black residents. Civil rights groups are expected to challenge these new maps in federal court.
The outcome of these redistricting challenges will have significant implications for the representation of voters of color and the balance of power in the US House of Representatives.
Original Story at www.cnn.com – 2023-08-11 02:24:00
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