Democrats oppose Tennessee Redistricting

NASHVILLE (WDEF) – Tennessee lawmakers return to Nashville on Tuesday for a snap Special Session to consider redistricting the state election maps before the midterm elections.

A Supreme Court ruling last week undermined the Civil Rights Voting Act used to protect black-leaning districts in court.

Tennessee Republicans, with the support of President Trump, want to eliminate the last Democratic seat in the state in the Memphis area.

It should not change any districts in our part of the state.

Lawmakers reconvened on Tuesday and should vote on the redistricting on Wednesday.

Democrats, both here and across the south, voiced their opposition today.

Martin Luther King, III:

“A session launched for the sole purpose of dismantling Congressional District 9 is not normal and it is not fair. The resulting disenfranchisement of Black voters would run contrary to everything
that my father, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., fought for. This is not just a political issue; it is a moral and civic one.”

Rep. Yusuf Hakeem:

“It’s desperate. It’s dangerous. It’s flat-out un-American. Chattanooga may not see a dramatic change in its congressional representation under this proposal, but what is happening to Memphis today should concern communities across this state.”

Chattanooga NAACP:

“Our home is Tennessee, our grandparents, great grandparents and great-great grandparents are Tennesseans.  The ruling by the US Supreme Court in the case of Louisiana v. Callais and the action by the Tennessee Governor to call a special session for redistricting is disconcerting. 

We will not accept the politicians deciding who we vote for by grabbing the districts.  We call for all people in Chattanooga to contact your Tennessee State Representative and voice your thoughts.  We must realize that voting is the key to determining who represents the people.  Those legislators who disenfranchise the voters are not meeting the requirements of the US Constitution.”