Tennessee

Congressional & Legislative

Primary Authority: Congressional and legislative maps are enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly, subject to the Governor’s veto. The General Assembly can override a veto with a majority vote in each chamber. Republicans currently have a veto-proof majority in both chambers. [Tenn. Const. art. II, §§ 3 – 6; Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 3-1-101 – 3-1-103]

If a bill is presented to the governor during or after session, the governor has 10 days to sign or veto it; otherwise, it becomes law without signature. Sundays and days of delivery are excluded from these calculations.

Mapping Timeline: Not specified for congressional plans. The General Assembly is generally required to enact legislative plans after the decennial census results are available, but no deadline is specified. [Tenn. Const. art. II, § 4]

Redistricting Criteria: Contiguous; No counties divided unless necessary (max 30 counties split); Substantially equal population; No split precincts (must be changed after maps passed to conform). [Tenn. Const. art. II, §§ 4 – 6; Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 3-1-102 – 3-1-103]

Map Challenges: Not specified.

Ballot Measure & Referendum Processes

Types of Measures: Only the Tennessee General Assembly can refer amendments to the ballot. There is no initiative or referendum process. [Tenn. Const. art. XI, § 3]

Previous Redistricting Cycles

2010

• Congressional
  • Original Plan – HB 1558
    • Passed = January 13, 2012 (R-controlled)
    • Signed = January 26, 2012
  • Litigation History
    • None
• Legislative
  • Original Plans – HB 1555 (House); SB 1514 (Senate)
    • Passed = January 13, 2012 (House); January 19, 2012 (Senate) (R-controlled)
    • Signed = January 26, 2012 (House); February 9, 2012 (Senate)
  • Litigation History
    • Moore v. State, 436 S.W.3d 775 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2014): Eight registered voters filed a lawsuit challenging the General Assembly’s enacted state Senate plan on the grounds it divided more counties than necessary in violation of the state constitution. On May 15, 2014, the Tennessee Court of Appeals affirmed the trial court’s judgment upholding the plan as constitutional.

2000

• Congressional
  • Original Plan – HB 274
    • Passed = January 10, 2002 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = January 17, 2002
  • Litigation History
    • None
• Legislative
  • Original Plans – HB 276 (House); SB 197 (Senate)
    • Passed = January 10, 2002 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = January 17, 2002
  • Litigation History
    • None