Memphis: Tennessee’s second-largest city, seat of Shelby County, along the Mississippi. A cultural and economic hub with a growing political footprint.
The Supreme Court has kept the core protections of the Voting Rights Act intact while ruling that Louisiana’s map-drawing to favor a Black-majority district was unconstitutional, signaling a shift in how race can be used in redistricting and prompting immediate map reviews in several states.
The Supreme Court has ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map constitutes an illegal racial gerrymander, prompting state officials to suspend or delay House primaries. Early voting is starting as absentee ballots have already been mailed, with a path forward being developed with lawmakers and the Secretary of State.
Tennessee Republicans have unveiled a new congressional map that dismantles a majority-Black district and is poised to secure an all‑GOP federal delegation, following a Supreme Court ruling that loosened protections under the Voting Rights Act. The plan splits Memphis-Shelby County and reshapes districts around Nashville, potentially removing Rep. Steve Cohen and strengthening Rep. Andy Ogles.
The Guardian reports that South Carolina’s proposed map redraw would dismantle James Clyburn’s district, a long-standing symbol of Black political representation in the state. The move comes as Republicans respond to the Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act ruling, raising fears of renewed racial gerrymandering and a shift in power.
The South Carolina governor has signaled a special session on redistricting as Republicans push to redraw maps. Key issues include potentially eliminating Rep. Jim Clyburn’s Democratic seat and concerns about a “dummymander” that could dilute Black representation. The move follows pressure from Trump allies and intra-party splits among Republicans.
Rep. Cohen has announced he is stepping back from Congress amid controversy over mid-decade redistricting that splits his majority-Black Memphis district into three Republican-leaning districts. He says the map was drawn to beat him, and he may return if court actions restore his old district. Primary elections are set for Aug. 6.
Since mid-May 2026, Republican-led Southern legislatures have been moving to redraw U.S. House maps after a Supreme Court ruling weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act. Federal judges in Alabama have blocked a new map, South Carolina lawmakers have stalled a Trump-backed redistricting push, and Tennessee and Louisiana have enacted plans that would dilute Black-majority districts.