Tennessee Congressional Redistricting Challenge (NAACP)

A pro-voting lawsuit challenging Tennessee Republicans’ attempt to dismantle the state’s lone majority-Black district after the Supreme Court severely weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections.

Background

The NAACP Tennessee State Conference and its president, Gloria Sweet-Love, filed a lawsuit against Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly challenging a newly enacted congressional gerrymander.

The lawsuit argues that Tennessee law prohibits changing congressional districts between census-based reapportionments and that state lawmakers unlawfully used a special legislative session to redraw the state’s congressional map. Plaintiffs also challenge a new law suspending candidate residency requirements for the 2026 election cycle.

Why It Matters

The lawsuit comes just days after the Supreme Court’s decision to significantly weaken federal protections against racial vote dilution under the Voting Rights Act. Tennessee became one of the first states to pursue an aggressive mid-decade redistricting after the ruling, including efforts dismantling the state’s only Democratic-leaning and majority-Black congressional district based in Memphis.

Latest Updates

• May 26, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their second amended complaint.
• May 22, 2026: The court held a hearing on plaintiffs’ motion for a temporary injunction to block the new gerrymander.
• May 12, 2026: Plaintiffs filed an amended complaint.
• May 7, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their complaint.