Circus-like atmosphere inside Tennessee House as new voting maps approved

The scene was similar to a 2023 protest that resulted in two Tennessee lawmakers expelled.

Noisemakers and screams from the gallery filled the House chamber Thursday after a 64-25 vote to approve a reconfigured congressional map that cracks the Memphis area of District 9 into three sections in the hopes of obtaining an additional seat in Congress in the November election.

Gavel slams by House Speaker Cameron Sexton were ignored as nearly every Democratic House member surrounded the Well and seating areas holding signs denouncing the move and special session prompted by US Senator Marsha Blackburn and Governor Bill Lee to approve the measure.

District 52 representative Justin Jones of Nashville walked around the chamber with an aerosol horn can while GOP super majority members were ushered out.

According to a report by the Associated Press, the move is part of a broader strategy in Southern states after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act.

The court found Louisiana relied too heavily on race when creating a second Black-majority district. Tennessee’s proposal would break up a Democratic-held district centered on Memphis. Alabama and South Carolina are also considering redistricting changes. President Donald Trump has encouraged the redistricting. But Democrats and civil rights activists have criticized the efforts.

(IMAGE: Property of The Tennessee Holler / Official Facebook)