The Michigan Legislative Black Caucus and Detroit Caucus sent a joint press release condemning the congressional map adopted by the Tennessee Legislature that would split the city of Memphis and break up that state’s only Democratic-held district, which is also the last majority-minority U.S. House district in Tennessee. 

“This new map is about a brazen power grab — it most certainly has absolutely nothing to do with fair representation,” said state Rep. Amos O’Neal (D-Saginaw), chair of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus. “By breaking apart communities of color, Republicans are trying to rig the system before a single vote is cast. Every American deserves an equal voice and fair representation in Congress, regardless of their ZIP code or the color of their skin.”

The Tennessee Democratic Party, four Tennessee Democrats running for a U.S. House seat and four voters filed a federal challenge Friday against the redistricting plan, which the NAACP has also filed a lawsuit against. 

NAACP Tennessee files lawsuit challenging redrawn US House district map

The new map comes in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which weakened the federal Voting Rights Act and limited the use of race in congressional district mapping. 

In Michigan, Rebecca Szetela, vice chair of the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission told Votebeat that she believes it is likely that maps for Michigan districts are going to be challenged and may have to be redrawn. 

In contrast, Anthony Eid, chair of the commission, said that he would be surprised if the current commission ended up drawing maps again. Michigan’s maps are some of the fairest in the country, he said, and he doesn’t expect challenges to them.

Regardless, the statement from the Michigan legislators said that Tennessee’s decision “raises serious concerns about whether voters are being denied meaningful representation,” as state Rep. Stephanie A. Young (D-Detroit), chair of the Detroit Caucus, said. 

“We are seeing a coordinated effort across the country to redraw districts in ways that entrench political power rather than strengthen democracy. Voters should be choosing their elected officials, not watching politicians manipulate district lines to silence opposition and guarantee outcomes before elections even begin,” said state Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit), historian of the Michigan Legislative Black Caucus and vice chair of the Detroit Caucus.