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Tennessee Passes New Redistricting Map, Breaks Up State’s Lone Democratic District

Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee signed a new congressional map into law on Thursday that slices up Memphis to scatter Black voters into neighboring districts, a move intended to eliminate the state’s last Democratic House seat.

“I declare it passed.” Chanting: “Hands off — Memphis.” Chanting: “The people, united, will never be divided.” “Somebody who drew the map — divided the Black vote up in the three districts to where they are a minority, and they don’t have enough influence to elect a member of their own choosing.” Chanting: “Black voters matter. Black voters matter.”

Gov. Bill Lee of Tennessee signed a new congressional map into law on Thursday that slices up Memphis to scatter Black voters into neighboring districts, a move intended to eliminate the state’s last Democratic House seat.

By Emily Cochrane and Alisa Shodiyev Kaff

May 7, 2026