Fayette County Courthouse.

The NAACP Legal Defense Fund’s lawsuit challenging the 2021 election map of Fayette County was dismissed on Monday. They claimed the map was discriminatory, despite the county stating it adheres to the Voting Rights Act and U.S. Constitution.

Filed in the Western District of Tennessee in February, the lawsuit contended that the map created by the Fayette County Commission was designed partly to discriminate against Black voters.

According to Tennessee’s local rezoning guidelines, counties must consider minority representation during district changes. Black residents represent over 25% of Fayette County’s population, but the county commission, composed of 19 members, is entirely white. The lawsuit argued that the commission specifically opted for a map that did not allow for any majority-minority districts.

The commission approved a rezoning plan that included no majority-minority districts, turning down alternatives with a majority Black voting-age population. This decision disregarded expert advice and recommendations from the committee itself.

Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice also sued the Fayette County Commission, suggesting that the 2021 map breached the Voting Rights Act.

Fayette County decided against initiating a federal lawsuit, branding the claims as “basically unfounded.” Nevertheless, they chose to revise the map, as noted in court documentation.

In April, the county commissioners instructed the district committee to assemble a plan with more than two representatives in a minority district. This committee subsequently presented a plan, following a hearing in May.

Fayette County later urged the court to continue federal proceedings, citing a pending rezoning plan aimed solely at reviewing and revising the contested map, as stated in court files.

On June 24, the committee unanimously agreed on a new election map that featured three majority Black single-member districts, set to be implemented in the 2026 election cycle.

The status of the federal lawsuit remains unclear following an update filed on June 23, just before the commission approved the new map.

John Cusic, a Legal Defense Fund assistant, stated, “Our lawsuit sent a clear message that Fayette County must treat everyone fairly in the map drawing process. The new map is a significant win for Black voters, thanks to the courage of our clients and their commitment to advocate for equal rights. We’re eager for the 2026 election cycle, where Black voters can engage fully in the democratic process.”

The Legal Defense Fund’s lawsuit represents the interests of the NAACP Fayette Somerville branch along with five Black voters in Fayette County.

One plaintiff, Woods, expressed optimism about the new map, stating, “This is not just a victory for Black voters, but a win for Fayette County. I’m thrilled about the new map and what it means for future elections. It offers a valuable opportunity for Black voters to gain equal representation on the county commission.”