NAACP Fights Special Session Yielding a 'New Jim Crow' Racially Gerrymandered Map at Tennessee Supreme Court

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Today, the NAACP gathered on the steps of the Tennessee Supreme Court following oral arguments in NAACP, Gloria Sweet-Love, et. al v. The State of Tennessee Governor, et. al, challenging the unlawful process leading to adoption of the state's racially discriminatory Congressional map.

The emergency lawsuit challenges a 48-hour special session carried out by state lawmakers earlier this month as both unlawful and unconstitutional. The session resulted in the dismantling of Tennessee's 9th Congressional District - a majority-Black district that has included the entire city of Memphis for over 50 years. The special session dismantled and fractured Shelby County's Black voting population across three sprawling, predominantly white, rural districts. Plaintiffs challenge the lawfulness and legitimacy of the special session.

During oral arguments, NAACP argued that the special session should be nullified because the Assembly took actions beyond what they were authorized to do including: (1) repeal of a Tennessee law which prohibits redistricting between apportionments; (2) extending the candidate qualifying deadline; (3) suspending critical notice requirements for voters about a district shift; and (4) suspending the residency requirement for candidates for 1 year.

Kristen Clarke, NAACP General Counsel released the following statement:

"Across the South we are witnessing officials recklessly moving to dismantle Congressional districts that have provided Black communities a voice in our democracy. It is not surprising that in their mad dash to disenfranchise Black voters, they are breaking laws, defying rules and running afoul of state constitutional guardrails. Tennessee's law is clear - Governor-issued proclamations calling special sessions are limited in scope and must be specific in purpose. Lawmakers went far above and beyond the proclamation by repealing a decades-old prohibition on mid-decade redistricting, eliminating requirements that lawmakers live in the districts they're running in, and removing basic requirements that voters are informed about precinct changes. This special session has unleashed chaos, disorder and mass disenfranchisement. The status quo must remain in place this election season."

Gloria Sweet-Love, a Shelby County resident, president of the NAACP Tennessee State Conference, and primary plaintiff in the case, shared her perspective on the injury that she has suffered:

"This isn't just a political chess match or a dispute over lines on a map - this is a direct attack on our neighborhoods, our history, and our collective Black voting power. Memphis and Shelby County have a proud, generational legacy of building Black political voice and representation. Through gerrymandering, lawmakers are trying to push us out of the democratic process. We refuse to be discounted, divided, and silenced. We came to court today because our communities deserve to stay whole, and we deserve to elect representatives of our collective choice."

The plaintiffs are seeking an immediate court order to prevent the state from conducting any elections under the contested map, urging a temporary return to the boundaries established at the beginning of the decade while the full litigation proceeds.

The NAACP's legal challenge in Tennessee emphasizes our national strategy to combat a rising tide of haphazard and racially discriminatory redistricting across the South. To view the filing, click here.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.