The Tennessee Supreme Court will hear a case on October 4, 2024, in Nashville. The hearing will start at 9:00 a.m. CDT at the Tennessee Supreme Court building and will be livestreamed on the TNCourts YouTube page.
The case, Gary Wygant and Francie Hunt v. Bill Lee et al., challenges state legislative district maps implemented after the 2020 census. Plaintiffs Gary Wygant from Gibson County, Francie Hunt from Davidson County, and Telise Turner from Shelby County initially filed the complaint in 2022. Ms. Turner was later dismissed from the lawsuit.
Gary Wygant claims that the House of Representatives map violates Article II, § 5 of the Tennessee Constitution by dividing more counties than necessary. A three-judge panel unanimously agreed that Mr. Wygant only had standing to challenge the split of Gibson County but dismissed other county-related claims. The majority concluded that the House map did not violate the Constitution as it found that the legislature acted in good faith. However, one judge dissented, arguing that the State failed to prove minimal county splits.
Francie Hunt argues that the Senate map violates Article II, § 3 due to non-consecutive numbering of districts in Davidson County. While the State did not defend its constitutionality, it claimed Ms. Hunt lacked standing to challenge it. The majority found she met constitutional standing requirements and declared the map unconstitutional; one judge dissented, stating Ms. Hunt had not shown sufficient injury from non-consecutive numbering.
Both parties have appealed directly to this Court under Tennessee Code Annotated § 20-18-105.
Media members wishing to attend should review Supreme Court Rule 30 and submit any required requests to Samantha Fisher, Communications Director at Samantha.fisher@tncourts.gov.