There were several disruptions during the vote in the Tennessee state legislature.Image: keystone
May 8, 2026, 7:45 a.mMay 8, 2026, 7:45 a.m
Republicans in the US state of Tennessee have approved new district boundaries for the House of Representatives that would cut up the state’s only Democratic congressional district. The redistricting is seen as part of a nationwide strategy by President Donald Trump and his party to secure their narrow majority in the US House of Representatives in the upcoming midterm elections in November.
The Republican-dominated state parliament passed the new map on Thursday after tumultuous scenes and protests in parliament. According to media reports, demonstrators interrupted the meetings with chants and whistles, and Democratic MPs left the room in protest. The bill now goes to Republican Gov. Bill Lee, who is expected to sign it, according to reports.
Democrats speak of racist voter manipulation
At the center of the dispute is the previously Democratically represented congressional district in and around Memphis, a city with a majority black population. The new layout would spread the Democratic stronghold across several constituencies. The voters from the city would be combined with significantly more conservative regions, so that Republicans in all districts would have a better chance of winning in the upcoming parliamentary elections in the fall. They could win all nine of Tennessee’s congressional seats.
The Tennessee Capitol.Image: keystone
Tennessee is the first state to adopt new district boundaries following a U.S. Supreme Court decision last week. The Supreme Court had weakened the protection of the Voting Rights Act against racial disadvantage in the design of electoral districts. Republican-run southern states such as Louisiana, Alabama and South Carolina are now pushing for similar redistricting.
Trump has been urging Republican-governed states for months to redraw electoral districts before the midterm elections. Critics speak of a nationwide new edition of so-called gerrymandering – the party-political manipulation of constituency boundaries. Democrats also use the strategy, for example in California. (leo/sda/dpa)