Memphians have voted twice to use ranked-choice voting, also known as instant-runoff voting, although it hasn’t yet been implemented. 

Unfair maps can result in expensive lawsuits, poor representation for the political minority, foregone-conclusion elections and safe seats for incumbents. Partisan redistricting also causes voters to lose faith in the system and disengage from civic life.

Shelby County Criminal Court Judge John Campbell has been confirmed to the state Court of Appeals. He was up for re-election to criminal court his year, but his seat will remain vacant until after the county general election. 

“Young Dolph was an inspiration to so many and taught me that whatever you do, just make sure you get paid for your hard work,” state Rep. Torrey Harris (D-Memphis) told The Daily Memphian, referencing the rapper’s song Get Paid.

The indicted state senator is seeking reelection but is expected to face opposition as he tries to retain his seat for District 31.

The commission debated Monday whether it should fill the District 33 seat Robinson was expelled from last week by fellow Senators. Part of the argument is whether it amounts to an endorsement of the Senate action.

A brief history of the Voting Rights Act in Tennessee, and Shelby County’s protected congressional district.

For young interns beginning their careers, even a necktie can put a knot in the budget. So donors come to the rescue.

The dollar figures are among the campaign finance reports covering the past six months. They also show Republican county mayoral contender Worth Morgan has a balance of $159,540.

A Collierville critter is getting time in the state spotlight this week due to his ability to predict spring.

The governor announced a significant boost to education funding in his State of the State Address on Monday, Jan. 31, with nearly $2 billion going to higher education.

Republican lawmakers say Sarah Campbell shouldn’t recuse on the voucher case, one of Lee’s signature accomplishments.

A boost to education funding was the most notable item on Lee’s proposed $52.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2023.

Almost 82 years after the last documented lynching in Tennessee, a Republican and a Democrat want to commemorate all 154 victims statewide with Community Remembrance Project.

Gov. Bill Lee has announced the completion of his review of the Basic Education Program, the formula that decides how much money each school district gets from the state. 

State Rep. John Gillespie, a Memphis Republican, intends to make it easier to prosecute drag racers with an offense more severe than mere reckless driving.

Several organizations have said the maps are a textbook example of gerrymandering and will lead to diminished voting power for people of color.

The two key votes of the week in Washington D.C. were in the Senate. But the discussion among the city’s representatives in Washington included both U.S. House members who represent Memphis.

The debate over whether to use tax dollars to send children to private schools has reared its head.

Robinson said the process was unfair since the Senate Ethics Committee comprises four white Republican men and one Black woman.

The latest map would split Tipton County along U.S. 51, and about 30,000 Shelby County residents would be drawn out of Republican Rep. David Kustoff’s district.

“This is a racist power grab for Republicans to try to cheat their way to more power,” said Charlane Oliver, cofounder and co-executive director of The Equity Alliance. “We will obstruct, we will disrupt any chance we get.”

Sunny Eaton, who runs Nashville’s Conviction Review Unit, said, “These wins are the kind that are absolutely changing lives for people who never deserved to be in that position.”

The map will likely allow Republicans to win another seat in Congress.