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NAACP files emergency lawsuit to block Tennessee's new congressional map - WZTV FOX17 NASHVILLE
The Tennessee NAACP filed an emergency court petition Thursday seeking to block the state’s newly approved congressional redistricting plan, arguing Republican lawmakers violated state law and the Tennessee Constitution by redrawing district lines outside the normal census process.
The lawsuit, filed in Davidson County Chancery Court, came just hours after Gov. Bill Lee signed Tennessee’s controversial new congressional map into law following a special legislative session marked by protests, heated debate and partisan clashes at the Capitol.
The newly approved map redraws Shelby County, home to Memphis, into three Republican-controlled congressional districts ahead of the 2026 election cycle. Republicans defended the move as a partisan strategy aimed at creating an all-Republican congressional delegation in Washington.
Tennessee currently has eight Republican members of Congress and one Democrat, Rep. Steve Cohen, whose Memphis-based district was targeted in the redraw.
The lawsuit also challenges legislation suspending residency requirements for congressional candidates in the 2026 election, arguing the measure was not necessary for redistricting and was outside the scope of the special session.
The filing warns the accelerated timeline could create confusion for voters and strain election officials ahead of the 2026 primaries, citing concerns over ballot changes, precinct adjustments, and compressed candidate qualifying periods.
Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett announced Thursday that revised congressional maps are now in effect and opened a special qualifying period for congressional candidates through May 15. - Aired on 05/07/2026.
More: https://fox17.com/news/local/naacp-files-emergency-lawsuit-to-block-tennessees-new-congressional-map-tn-redistricting-gov-lee-05-07-2026