TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Jan 16, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a lawsuit against Fayette County, alleging that the Board of County Commissioners violated the Voting Rights Act when it adopted its 2021 redistricting plan. According to a news release from the agency, the new plan allegedly denied the city’s Black voters an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The suit, which was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, argues that commissioners “deliberately rejected multiple districting plans that would have combined Black communities in districts that would allow Black voters to elect representatives of their choice.” According to Tennessee Lookout, Fayette County Mayor Rhea “Skip” Taylor confirmed the county is reviewing the lawsuit, but declined further comment.