The state’s new redistricting guidelines create an “aggressive timeline” for the Shelby County Election Commission. However, no polling locations will change due to redistricting.
Linda Phillips, administrator of elections for the commission, said precinct boundaries are not affected by precinct lines for United States Congressional districts. The commission will not be required to change precinct lines, however they will change the splits in the congressional map.
Phillips made these comments during a Tuesday press conference at the Shelby County Election Commission, following the passage of a redistricting bill last week by Tennessee lawmakers.
“The scope of the work is not as intense as we had first been scared of,” said Phillips.
Election dates and times remain unaffected for the August primaries. Phillips advised voters to visit Shelby Votes ahead of election day, and said technology has greatly helped the commission in this process.
She said the commission is primarily tasked with eliminating 25 precinct splits while adding some. Phillips said a bulk of the work is changing congressional district numbers on the map layers, which is “pretty fast [and] simple, and accurate.”
Regarding the number of petitions filed for congressional seats, Phillips said though they’re issued in Shelby County they are filed in Nashville. Those who qualified by the March 10th deadline can choose to withdraw, change districts, or run where they originally filed.
Phillips said there is no requirement under federal law for candidates or members of Congress to live in the district they represent.
The commission expects to receive $350K from the state to cover overtime, vendor rush-fees, and mail options for voters whose districts have changed. Phillips said unlike most counties, the commission uses a Geographic Information System (GIS) as opposed to manual entry.
The administrator said though she wished there was more time to address new changes, the commission remains “encouraged” as the state has provided funding and no precinct boundary adjustments.
Phillips said they’re in a different situation as opposed to where they were in 2022, when the state redrew maps as a result of the 2020 census.
These comments come after multiple lawsuits were filed to challenge the state’s decision by groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
A statement from the ACLU said their lawsuit seeks to block the map from taking effect in August. They said the new map “dismantles” the Memphis-based congressional district and divides Black voters in Memphis and Shelby County.
With lawsuits pending, Phillips assured that they will proceed as the legislature intends until a judge successfully intervenes.
“The legislature made this change and we’ll work with it,” said Phillips. “If a judge orders us to do something different, we’ll do that.”