A federal judge has denied the request by Democrats for a restraining order and injunction that would pause the Congressional redistricting maps in Tennessee. A hearing that was set for May 20th has now been cancelled. The order issued by Chief U.S. Dristrict Court Judge William L. Campbel Jr. of the Middle District of Tennessee.
The Tennessee General Assembly passed new congressional maps adding a third district to Shelby County and Memphis. Districts 5, 8 and 9 will now cover parts of West Tennessee. With the re-drawing of the district lines, District 9 will extend along the southern border of the state to Middle Tennessee. District 5 will cover the northern part of the state and along the Mississippi River to the southwest corner of Shelby County and Memphis. All three district lines will converge near the Poplar / Scott Street viaduct.
The lawsuit was filed last week by Steve Cohen & Justin Pearson.
