Tennessee Fayette County Board of County Commissioners Redistricting Challenge (NAACP)

Lawsuit filed by five voters and the NAACP Fayette-Sommerville Branch against Fayette County, Tennessee, and its board of county commissioners challenging the board’s 2021 redistricting plan. Members of the board of county commissioners are elected from 19 single-member districts. In 2010, four Black commissioners were elected to the board. As of 2025, there are none. The plaintiffs allege that during the 2021 redistricting process, the board ignored advice and recommendations from its own redistricting committee, which established a two majority-minority district minimum requirement during its deliberations, and an outside redistricting counsel who recommended a plan with three majority-minority districts. Despite this, the board adopted a plan with no majority-minority districts. The plaintiffs argue that the county intentionally discriminated against Black voters in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the 14th and 15th Amendments of the U.S. Constitution. It asks the court to block the 2021 redistricting plan and order the county to implement a new redistricting plan that allows Black voters to elect candidates of their choice. 

STATUS: The plaintiffs filed their complaint on Feb. 27, 2025. Fayette County has not responded yet.

Last updated: February 27, 2025 5:03 pm EST