NAACP Vows Voter Mobilization After Redistricting Ruling
The NAACP plans a statewide voter mobilization effort to counter a recent redistricting decision that leadership describes as a racially motivated attempt to disenfranchise people of color. Cookeville Branch President Thomas Savage said the organization has already filed a lawsuit challenging the new maps. Savage said the strategy moving forward requires building a diverse coalition […]
Local Legislators Returning To Nashville For Special Session
Local lawmakers returning to Nashville this week for a special session to redraw all nine of the state’s congressional districts. That follows a Supreme Court ruling regarding district balance and the Voting Rights Act. State Representative Michael Hale said the timing of the session creates difficulties for candidates who have already invested significant resources into […]
Putnam Redistricting Recommends Change Allowing More School Districts
The Putnam County Redistricting Committee approved a recommendation Monday that would open the door for more school board members in the future. The proposed changes impacts the county’s Private Acts of 1993. The rules came to light during this year’s redistricting work. The act was setup with a specific number of school board members. Attorney […]
Speaker Sexton: Redistricting First Item To Be Addressed In General Assembly
The Tennessee General Assembly will reconvene this Tuesday with redistricting being the most pressing issue. House Speaker Cameron Sexton said he sees the first three weeks being spent on the matter. “For the House we release the map at the end of last year, which is the first time we have ever done it that […]
Van Buren Commissioner Wants More Seats On County School Board
Van Buren County Commissioner William Maxwell said he wants more representation on the county’s school board. During new business at Tuesday’s Commission meeting, Maxwell made a motion to amend the redistricting plan and increase the school board to 10 seats, two per district. “I’ve been approached by several people of the community as well as […]
Cumberland Commission Approves Redistricting Plan
Cumberland County Commission unanimously approved its redistricting plan Monday. The plan keeps nine districts in place with two commissioners each. Each district will also have one school board seat. The new maps are available online at the county website.
Pickett Finalizes Redistricting Plan For County Approval
Pickett County Redistricting Committee finalized a plan to send to the county commission for approval. Administrator of Elections Tim Clark said that the plan moved 39 people from District 4 into District 2, and 19 people from District 3 into District 1. “There’s a 10 percent threshold,” Clark said. “And we were just above that […]
Comptroller: Keeping County Redistricting Honest Up To Citizens
The redrawing of voting maps for several Upper Cumberland counties has concluded but there are a few steps left in the process. Tennessee Comptroller’s Office Director of Communications John Dunn said a county’s election commission will formally redraw the precincts and notify residents of changes. Dunn said they receive the changes but hold off on […]
White Co. Commission Approves Redistricting Plan
White County Commissioners approved the county’s redistricting plan Monday night. The new districts keep with the county’s current system of seven districts with two commissioners per district. Administrator of Elections Dorcas Marcum said that she estimates some 1,500 residents will be moved around. “District 7 had more people than we needed,” Marcum said. “So we […]
Putnam Redistricting Committee Sees 7-District Plan Presented
The Putnam County Redistricting Committee reviewed another plan Tuesday that would divide the county into seven districts. CTAS Consultant Ben Rodgers said in this plan, each district would have about 11,400 people and three commissioners, making a total of 21 elected positions. “Our deviation is a little over seven percent, seven and a half percent […]
