Tennessee advocates decide not to refile lawsuit over redistricting maps

A group of Tennessee voting and civil rights advocates will not refile a federal lawsuit challenging the state's U.S. House and Senate maps for alleged racial gerrymandering. The decision follows a recent Supreme Court ruling that raised the standards for proving such claims. The lawsuit was dismissed last month, with judges allowing a chance to amend it. The plaintiffs cited new challenges in proving racial gerrymandering and are now focusing on encouraging voter turnout for the upcoming Nov. 5 election. The original lawsuit targeted the redistricting that split Democratic-leaning Nashville and altered a majority-Black district in Shelby County. Tennessee's congressional delegation now consists of eight Republicans and one Democrat. Another lawsuit regarding state legislative maps is set for oral arguments next week.