Memphis residents hold banners with local election candidates, outside a voting center, in Memphis, Tennessee on August 1, 2026. In May, the boundaries of Memphis's ninth district were drastically altered, or gerrymandered, for political benefit. The city of Memphis, traditionally one of the few Democratic strongholds in a very conservative state, is now divided into three precincts spanning across Tennessee. African Americans, who make up more than 60 percent of its population, fear that their voices will not count in the midterm elections in November where the Republican Party of President Donald Trump is battling to retain control of Congress. (Photo by Archana THIYAGARAJAN / AFP via Getty Images)