Republican governors in Tennessee and Alabama called state lawmakers into special sessions on Friday, initiating a potential effort across several southern states to redraw congressional maps. This move follows a recent Supreme Court decision that narrowed the application of the Voting Rights Act.
Supreme Court Ruling Triggers Redistricting Push
The catalyst for these sessions was the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The high court struck down a Louisiana map containing two majority-Black House districts, upholding a lower court’s finding that state lawmakers relied too heavily on race.
The ruling effectively narrows a portion of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the majority opinion that districts now only violate the act when there is a strong inference that intentional discrimination occurred
.
Tennessee’s Special Session
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee convened a special session starting Tuesday. In a Friday statement, Lee wrote that lawmakers owe it to Tennesseans to ensure our congressional districts accurately reflect the will of Tennessee voters
, adding that any changes must be enacted as soon as possible
.
The state’s primaries are scheduled for Aug. 6, although the candidate qualification deadline passed in March. GOP Senator Marsha Blackburn has called for a map that gives Republicans an edge in all nine congressional districts, which would involve splitting the Memphis-area district held by Democratic Rep. Steve Cohen.
President Trump has strongly urged Governor Lee to redraw the map to provide Republicans with one extra seat
.
Alabama’s Legal Strategy
Alabama Governor Kay Ivey called a special session starting Monday to potentially schedule special primary elections. Ivey stated she wants the state to be prepared should the courts act quickly enough
to change the House map before the May 19 primaries.
Alabama has faced years of litigation; a 2023 Supreme Court ruling found the state’s map violated the Voting Rights Act, and a subsequent map was rejected by a three-judge panel. A court-appointed expert eventually drew a map with two districts where Black voters make up a significant portion of the electorate, both of which are held by Democrats.
Governor Ivey is aiming to return to the state legislature’s 2023 map, which featured one majority-Black, Democratic-leaning House seat. State Attorney General Steve Marshall asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to vacate the lower court ruling that struck down that 2023 map.
Widespread Impact Across Other States
Louisiana officials reacted to the ruling Thursday by moving to suspend House primaries scheduled for later this month, which may set the stage for a novel map.
In Florida, officials have moved to redraw House maps to potentially offer the GOP an edge in four more seats, an effort that began before the Supreme Court ruling. Mississippi legislators are planning a special session to redraw Supreme Court districts, and some officials have suggested redrawing U.S. House maps to unseat Democratic Rep. Benny Thompson, though Mississippi has already held its primary elections.
Mid-Decade Redistricting Trends
Several states had already launched rare mid-decade redistricting efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms. Last summer, Texas lawmakers shifted five Democratic districts toward the GOP, while California responded by moving five Republican-held districts leftward.
Missouri and North Carolina each shifted one Democratic district to the right. Last month, voters in Virginia approved a measure to create four new districts that favor Democrats.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Tennessee and Alabama calling special sessions?
The governors are responding to a Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that narrowed the Voting Rights Act, which may allow them to redraw congressional maps to favor Republican candidates.
What changes are being sought in Tennessee?
Senator Marsha Blackburn has called for a map giving Republicans an edge in all nine districts by splitting the Memphis-area district, while President Trump has urged the governor to secure one extra seat for Republicans.
What is the goal of Alabama’s current legal effort?
Governor Kay Ivey aims to return to the state legislature’s 2023 map, which contained one majority-Black, Democratic-leaning House seat, rather than the current map which has two such districts.
Do you believe mid-decade redistricting is a necessary tool for reflecting voter will, or a strategic move for political advantage?
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