The Justice Department has initiated a lawsuit against Fayette County, Tennessee, claiming that the Board of County Commissioners violated the Voting Rights Act by adopting a redistricting plan that does not provide Black voters with an equal opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Tennessee, states that during the 2021 redistricting cycle, the Fayette County Commission rejected multiple plans that would have combined Black communities into districts where they could elect representatives of their choosing. This action allegedly ignored the guidelines and suggestions from the county’s redistricting committee and their hired attorney’s advice.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division emphasized the importance of equal voting opportunities, stating that the department is committed to enforcing the Voting Rights Act to ensure all eligible citizens can choose their elected officials fairly. Acting U.S. Attorney Reagan Fondren for the Western District of Tennessee also highlighted the importance of fairness and equality in the electoral process.
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The Civil Rights Division, along with U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, enforces federal statutes protecting the right to vote, including the Voting Rights Act and other related laws. For more information on voting and elections, visit www.justice.gov/voting and learn more about the Voting Rights Act at www.justice.gov/crt/voting-section. Complaints about federal voting rights violations can be submitted through the Civil Rights Division’s website at civilrights.justice.gov or via telephone at 1-800-253-3931.
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