Nashville, Tennessee — The NAACP filed an emergency court petition Thursday seeking to block Tennessee’s newly approved congressional redistricting map, arguing the Republican-backed plan unlawfully dismantles the state’s only majority-Black congressional district.
The lawsuit, filed in Davidson County Chancery Court, asks the court to prevent Gov. Bill Lee and Tennessee officials from implementing the newly enacted map. The redistricting plan divides Memphis-based Congressional District 9, currently represented by Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen, into three separate districts, a move critics say weakens Black voting power and Democratic representation in the state.
The NAACP argued the plan violates both the Tennessee Constitution and longstanding voting rights protections. NAACP General Counsel Kristen Clarke called the redistricting effort “a direct attack on democracy,” while Tennessee NAACP President Gloria Sweet-Love described the map as unlawful and harmful to Black political representation.
Republican lawmakers defended the map by citing the Supreme Court’s recent ruling involving Louisiana congressional districts, which they argue allows states greater flexibility to draw districts without relying on race. Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton said the decision supports “color-blind” redistricting and permits maps based on partisan considerations.
Gov. Lee signed the legislation into law shortly after it passed the Republican-controlled legislature. Rep. Cohen vowed to challenge the map in court, accusing Republicans of attempting to preserve congressional power ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Legal experts expect the case to become one of several major national court battles over redistricting and voting rights following recent Supreme Court decisions.
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