What changed in 2026

Timeline

1. April 29, 2026

   The U.S. Supreme Court decided Louisiana v. Callais, changing how part of the Voting Rights Act is interpreted.

2. May 1, 2026

   Governor Lee called a special session of the legislature.

3. May 7, 2026

   The General Assembly repealed the state law prohibiting mid-decade redistricting, passed a new congressional map, and the Governor signed both the same day. The official map is dated May 7, 2026.

4. May 7, 2026

   Legislation reopened U.S. House candidate filing until May 15 and suspended residency requirements in newly drawn districts.

5. Litigation

   A federal judge declined to block the map; a state three-judge panel upheld it in May; some plaintiffs dismissed their suits; other federal lawsuits remain active.

What each side says

Guide the Vote reports both and adjudicates neither.

Supporters say the map reflects the state's political composition and was drawn using population and political data rather than racial data.

— Supporters

Opponents say it is a racial gerrymander that dismantles the state's only majority-Black district and dilutes the voting power of Black voters in Memphis.

— Opponents

Sponsors and partners

Some Guide the Vote civic partners are parties to litigation over Tennessee's 2026 congressional map. Guide the Vote takes no position on that litigation and has no role in it. Our partners do not review, approve, or influence our educational content.