1. United States
2. Tenn.
3. Letter

Do not call a special session to redraw Tennessee's congressional map. The proposed redistricting would eliminate Memphis's representation in Congress by splitting District 9 into multiple Republican-majority districts, silencing hundreds of thousands of Democratic voters. This isn't about fair representation. Senator Marsha Blackburn openly stated the goal is to "reconvene to redistrict another Republican seat in Memphis" to advance a partisan agenda. Breaking up communities for political gain undermines the basic principle that voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. Memphis voters deserve a representative who reflects their values and priorities, especially when Congress controls the federal budget that affects our daily lives. The timing exploits the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callias decision, which weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Tennessee should not rush to take advantage of reduced legal protections for voters. When communities are carved up for political gain, trust in government collapses and democracy suffers. Reject any special session on redistricting. Keep Tennessee's current congressional map intact and preserve Memphis's voice in Congress.