3.3 Redistricting District 9

Article I

Shelby County is facing issues with the redistricting proposed by the Republican led state legislature. To an outsider in may look as if nothing's changed but to the citizens of Shelby County it is an new make over.  The state legislature left the 9th district about 60 percent African American but removed the eastern area to the 8th district whos seat is held by a Republican. It is most definately considered gerrymandering.

1. How has Shelby County's congressional representation changed?

The 9th Congressional district, currently served by Democrat Steve Cohen, is still contained wholly within the county’s boundaries but now occupies the entire western two-thirds of the county, from north to south,, leaving the eastern third to the 8th congressional District, now held by Republican Stephen Fincher of Frog Jump in Crockett County.

2. How was the demographic makeup of the 9th district changed?

The upshot of all this is that the 9th District remains solidly Democratic, with the same 60 percent African-American majority as before.

3. How would the 7th and 8th districts be impacted?

8th District would now extend from the Tipton County line to the Mississippi state line, taking in Shelby County's eastern suburbs. The 7th District has seen its western border advanced all the way over to Hardeman County, with Fayette County also absorbed into the 8th District.

Article II

Tennesse is being redistricted for the first time by a Republican led state legislature.They have gerrymandered the maps of state House and Senate districts, as well as those for congressional districts. There are constitutional restrictions to be abided by when redistricting, to the GOP led legislature had to be exceedingly sneeky when drawing the district lines.

1. Why were Republicans able to control the redistricting process?

Republicans control both chambers of the state legislaturem and the governership

2. How does the article describe the practice of gerrymandering?

Described as the practice of flipping a two-headed coin and call it "heads" in determining whose interests, its own or those of the opposing party, district lines should be drawn.

3. How does the 1965 Voting Rights Act affect the process?

That the rights of minorities (African Americans, in Tennessee at large) be not abridged or reduced in the determination of district lines.

4. How will District 9 be changed?

Extending GOP congressman Stephen Fincher's 8th District down into most of eastern Shelby County, taking portions of District 9 in the process

5. Why is Cohen concerned about the changing demographics of District 9?

As the first Jewish congressman in Tennessee history, he sees himself now redistricted out of contact, as he puts it, "with all four Jewish congregations in Shelby County."

6. Why is John Ryder drawing attention to the fact that Cohen represents a black district? (It's not because Cohen isn't black)

He asked rhetorically if Cohen meant that Jews should be represented by Jews in the same way that blacks should be represented by blacks