South Carolina Republicans Seek Redistricting Following Supreme Court Ruling on Black-Majority Districts

South Carolina Republicans are initiating efforts to redraw congressional districts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that impacts majority-Black districts. The ruling, issued last week, determined that Louisiana placed too much emphasis on race when establishing a second majority-Black U.S. House district to comply with the Voting Rights Act.

This decision has prompted redistricting actions in multiple Southern states ahead of midterm elections. The Supreme Court ruling changed a long-standing application of the Voting Rights Act, providing Republicans with a basis to challenge existing majority-Black districts that have supported Democratic representatives.

Rep. Jim Clyburn since 1992. Republicans aim to secure all seven of the state's congressional seats through these changes.

Alabama, lawmakers are considering legislation to hold a special congressional primary if the Supreme Court allows changes to the state's U.S. House map. Officials there have requested courts to set aside a prior order requiring two districts with substantial Black voter populations.

The state's primaries are set for May 19, and the proposed bill would permit ignoring those results if new districts are approved close to or after that date. Tennessee lawmakers convened a special session to evaluate a plan that could divide the state's only Democratic-held U.S. The candidate qualifying period ended in March, with primaries scheduled for August 6.

Raumesh Akbari described the redistricting as discriminatory.

A redistricting committee plans a public hearing on Friday. Over 41,000 absentee ballots had already been cast by last Thursday, with about one-third from Democrats, another third from Republicans, and the rest from other voters. Across the affected states, these redistricting moves follow actions in eight states since last year, potentially shifting up to 13 seats toward Republicans or 10 toward Democrats, though some districts may remain competitive.