Federal Judges Dismiss Lawsuit on Tennessee Maps

A federal judicial panel has dismissed a lawsuit claiming that Tennessee's congressional and state Senate maps constitute unconstitutional racial gerrymandering, citing that the allegations align more with political gerrymandering. The ruling comes after a redistricting map was criticized for diluting the power of Black voters in Democratic strongholds like Nashville. In Alabama, a lawsuit challenging a new law that expands the number of crimes leading to the loss of voting rights was dismissed, as the law will not take effect until after the November elections, providing clarity for voters. Meanwhile, in Maryland, an independent Senate candidate is seeking to challenge the requirement of gathering 10,000 signatures to appear on the ballot, arguing it infringes on constitutional rights. Lastly, a Brevard County judge dismissed a lawsuit against an elections supervisor regarding allegedly mishandled paperwork for candidates, ruling that the plaintiff lacked legal standing. These legal battles reflect ongoing tensions surrounding voting rights and electoral processes across different states.