Tennessee voters are casting primary ballots Thursday under a new congressional map for the first time, as boundaries drawn by the Republican-controlled legislature that split Memphis and Nashville into multiple districts take effect amid ongoing legal challenges.
The map, signed into law last year by Gov. Bill Lee, divides Davidson County across three of the state's nine U.S. House districts and carves Shelby County — home to Memphis — into several seats. Civil rights groups filed lawsuits arguing the lines dilute Black voting strength in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
What the Left Is Saying
Democrats and civil rights organizations including the NAACP have argued that splitting Nashville's Davidson County and Shelby County undermines Black political representation, fracturing communities of interest while concentrating Democratic voters into fewer districts. They contend the map was drawn to entrench Republican control of Tennessee's congressional delegation.
Critics also point out that the changes take effect before legal review is complete, forcing Memphis and Nashville voters to cast ballots under lines they argue are unlawful. Litigation seeking to block the map remains pending in federal court.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican lawmakers who supported the plan say it reflects population shifts documented in the 2020 census and complies with federal voting law. State officials note that courts have declined to issue emergency orders halting use of the map for this election cycle, allowing the primary to proceed under the new boundaries.
Supporters describe the redistricting as a routine exercise of legislative authority following the decennial reapportionment process, arguing that district lines across the state properly account for growth in Republican-leaning areas.
What the Numbers Show
Tennessee holds nine U.S. House seats, eight of which are currently held by Republicans and one by a Democrat. The new map divides Davidson County across three districts and splits Shelby County among multiple seats — changes that alter the political composition of several races heading into November's general election.
Federal courts have so far declined to grant emergency injunctions halting use of the map for this cycle, though challenges remain pending. Thursday's primary provides the first measure of how the new lines shape candidate fields and district-level competition across the state.
The Bottom Line
The primary marks the first electoral test of Tennessee's redrawn boundaries, with legal questions unresolved as campaigns move toward the November general election. Observers on both sides are watching whether the map holds up in court and how it affects representation for voters in Memphis and Nashville.