1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

Oppose the Proposed Congressional Map – A Blatant Attack on Voting Rights I am writing to vehemently oppose the proposed congressional map unveiled by Tennessee Republicans on May 6, which is designed to erase the state's only Democratic congressional seat by carving up majority-Black Shelby County. This map is a direct assault on fair representation and the Voting Rights Act. It comes immediately after a Supreme Court ruling weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, and Tennessee Republicans are exploiting that decision to dismantle the voting power of racial minorities. The target is clear: Rep. Steve Cohen, who represents the Memphis-area district. By splitting majority-Black Shelby County, Republicans aim to secure a clean sweep of all nine congressional districts for the GOP. This is not about color-blind redistricting, as House Speaker Cameron Sexton claims. It is about partisan gerrymandering that uses race as a tool to eliminate opposition. The timing and process are equally concerning. Gov. Bill Lee called a special session following the Supreme Court ruling, and the assembly adopted rules limiting public comment to rush the map through. Democracy cannot function when the public is silenced. This map will disenfranchise Black voters in Memphis, dilute their representation, and ensure that millions of Tennesseans have no voice in Congress. That is not democracy. That is voter suppression. I demand that you: 1. Vote NO on this proposed congressional map. 2. Support a fair, transparent redistricting process that includes meaningful public input. 3. Reject any map that intentionally dilutes the voting power of racial minorities or eliminates fair representation for any community. Tennesseans deserve representatives who are accountable to them, not politicians who rig the maps to pick their voters. I urge you to stand against this blatant power grab.