Tennessee redraws map to edge Democrats out

What's happened

The Tennessee legislature has approved a new congressional map that dismantles a majority-Black district and is likely to yield an all-Republican federal delegation, following a Supreme Court ruling that loosened protections under the Voting Rights Act. The plan splits Memphis-Shelby County and reshapes Nashville-adjacent districts, potentially removing Rep. Steve Cohen and strengthening Rep. Andy Ogles.

What's behind the headline?

Analysis

The map draws a line through Shelby County, potentially eroding the Democratic hold in Tennessee’s at-large seat.
Nashville-area boundaries are shifted to bolster GOP chances by protecting incumbents and diluting urban Democratic strongholds.
This development mirrors a broader, partisan redistricting trend in the South after the Court ruling, suggesting a coordinated effort to reshape electoral power ahead of November elections.
Readers should monitor legal challenges to the map, including potential lawsuits accusing racial gerrymandering, which are likely to surface despite the quick passage.

How we got here

The plan follows a Supreme Court ruling that weakened the remaining Section 2 protections, encouraging Republican-led states to redraw blue districts. Tennessee’s proposal aims to split Shelby County and Maury County to reduce Democratic influence and favor GOP incumbents ahead of upcoming elections.

Our analysis

Politico reports that Tennessee Republicans have unveiled and then passed a new map that splits Memphis and Shelby County to target Rep. Steve Cohen and strengthen Rep. Andy Ogles, in the wake of the Supreme Court's modification of Voting Rights Act protections. The New York Times notes protests and chaos surrounding the vote, and highlights the broader national redistricting conflict in the South following the ruling.

Go deeper

What happens next in court challenges?
How might this affect Tennessee's November elections?
Which districts could shift further in future redistricting cycles?