Federal judge issues TRO halting Tennessee redistricting map

A federal judge in the Western District of Tennessee issued a temporary restraining order on May 7, 2026 — the same day Gov. Lee signed HB 7003 — halting the new congressional map pending a full hearing. Rep. Steve Cohen, State Rep. Justin Pearson, and NAACP Tennessee President Gloria Sweet-Love filed as co-plaintiffs, arguing the map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by cracking Memphis's Black community across three districts where Black voters form a minority in each. The NAACP also filed a separate state court petition arguing the session exceeded the governor's proclamation.