Shelby County
Coverage of Shelby County in the Nexus archive.
- Voter turnout surges in Tennessee after Black-majority district is erased
Voter turnout surged in Tennessee after a Black-majority district was erased. High Democratic turnout for House primaries was observed in Shelby County, which includes Memphis, indicating that redistricting may be energizing Black Southern voters.
- Tennessee could get its first-ever female governor after historic primary results
Jerri Green won the Democratic gubernatorial primary and Marsha Blackburn secured the Republican nomination in Tennessee's recent primaries. Their joint wins mark the first time in state history that a woman is representing both major parties in the gubernatorial race. They are scheduled to face off on November 3 alongside Independent candidates.
- A new Tennessee congressional map that splits Memphis is making its debut in the state's primary
A new Tennessee congressional map has reshaped districts in Memphis, carving up a majority Black district and prompting concerns among voters about diminished representation. The changes were made by the Republican-led Legislature following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened federal Voting Rights Act protections for minorities. This highly debated redistricting is debuting in a primary election to determine candidates for the midterms.
- Man accused of 3-year-old son’s death after boy’s body found in suitcase
A Tennessee man is accused of killing his 3-year-old son, whose body was found in a suitcase near Wolf River Harbor. The father, Saul Martinez, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder and other offenses after confessing to authorities.
- 75K voters cast ballots in strong start for Tennessee early voting
Over 75,000 Tennessee voters cast ballots in the first two days of early voting for the August primary election, a 47% increase from 2022. The election includes competitive primaries for an open governor's seat and newly redrawn congressional districts, with notable Democratic primary ballot activity in Shelby and Davidson counties.
- Second person in 4 days is fatally shot in Memphis by federal task force member
A member of the Memphis Safe Task Force fatally shot a person during a drug warrant execution in Memphis, marking the second such incident in four days. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is probing the shooting, which occurred after agents knocked down a hotel room door. The task force, established by President Donald Trump to deploy federal agents and National Guard troops in Democratic-run cities, has also been linked to a prior fatal shooting.
- Three-judge panel hears arguments on Tennessee redistricting map
A three-judge panel heard arguments on Tennessee's redistricting map. The ACLU of Tennessee, Memphis voters, and the American Civil Liberties Union allege intentional discrimination, seeking to block the map before elections. The new map divides Memphis and Shelby County into three sections, reducing the state's last majority-Black district, following a Supreme Court ruling that weakened protections under the Voting Rights Act.
- Shelby County Court Clerk indicted on 6 counts, accused of stealing more than $44,600
A federal grand jury has indicted a Shelby County General Sessions Court Clerk on six counts, alleging she embezzled more than $44,600 in public funds.
- NAACP files for federal court injunction to stop new Tennessee congressional map
The NAACP Tennessee chapter filed a federal court injunction to block Tennessee's new congressional map, alleging racial discrimination against Black Memphis voters. The map splits Memphis across three districts, reducing its majority-minority status following a Supreme Court ruling. The NAACP's lawsuit is combined with the League of Women Voters' challenge against the map.
- NAACP files for federal court injunction to stop new Tennessee congressional map
The NAACP Tennessee chapter filed a federal court injunction to block Tennessee's new congressional map, alleging it violates the 14th and 15th amendments through racial discrimination. The map splits Memphis, a Democratic and majority-Black stronghold, across three districts, potentially weakening its electoral influence. The lawsuit follows the Supreme Court's Louisiana v. Callais ruling, which reduced protections for majority-minority districts.
- Three federal challenges to Tennessee redistricting now assigned to same judge
Three federal challenges to Tennessee's redrawn congressional districts have been assigned to U.S. District Judge William Campbell, Jr. The lawsuits, brought by the ACLU, NAACP, and League of Women Voters, argue the new maps split Memphis into three districts, diluting Black voting power and violating constitutional protections. The redistricting followed a Republican-led legislative session after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened parts of the Voting Rights Act.
- Election officials move quickly to adjust districts for August primary in Tennessee
Tennessee election officials are adjusting voter rolls for an August 2026 primary after the state legislature passed a redrawn congressional district map in May 2026. The new map eliminates Tennessee’s only majority-Black district and splits Shelby County into three districts, with officials working under a tight timeline and legal challenges.
- Anger mounts after Tennessee Republicans redraw maps – US politics live
Tennessee's Republican-dominated legislature passed redistricting maps, eliminating the state's one Democratic, Black-majority congressional district. The new map splits Shelby County into three separate Republican-leaning districts. This change aims to improve GOP fortunes ahead of the November midterms.
- Tennessee Republicans pass a map to break up the state's lone Democratic House seat
Tennessee Republicans have passed a map that aims to break up the state's lone Democratic House seat by cracking Shelby County into three different districts. This effort targets the majority-Black Memphis area. The goal is to eliminate the last remaining Democratic-held seat in the state.