The South Carolina House Rules Committee has approved a move that could lead to redrawing congressional districts in a way that eliminates the state’s sole remaining Democratic representative ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
In a vote of 12-2, members amended the state’s sine die resolution to include redistricting as an option for a special legislative session.
South Carolina’s current congressional delegation consists of six Republicans and one Democrat. A newly-drawn map could potentially produce a seven-to-zero Republican advantage in the U.S. House.
This potential change would occur after the regular session of the state legislature has adjourned and following the submission of some absentee ballots.
To pass, the redistricting resolution requires a two-thirds vote from both chambers of the General Assembly.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster stated he would not call a special session to redraw the congressional map. “The U.S. Supreme Court upheld South Carolina’s current congressional map in 2024. In light of the Court’s most recent decision on the Voting Rights Act, it would be appropriate for the General Assembly to ensure that South Carolina’s congressional map still complies with all requirements of federal law and the U.S. Constitution,” McMaster wrote on X.
Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn has represented South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District since it was redrawn in 1992 to favor minority voters. He is running for an 18th term, but winning reelection could become more difficult if Republicans redraw his district.
A committee on Wednesday passed a proposal that would allow South Carolina lawmakers to consider drawing new congressional districts, setting up a potential showdown on the state House floor later this week.
The resolution requires a two-thirds vote to pass. While Republicans hold a supermajority in the legislature, some are concerned that an attempt to redraw the map to eliminate the state’s lone Democratic representative could backfire and create up to two competitive districts for Democrats.
Democratic state representative Spencer Wetmore described the redistricting effort as cynical politics focused more on winning for a narrow group than on helping all people. “Daddy Trump calls and needs to grasp at some power, and once again we jump,” she said.
South Carolina’s primary elections are scheduled for June 9, with early voting starting in three weeks.
