McMaster calls SC lawmakers back to settle redistricting in special session

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an executive order Thursday ordering lawmakers back to Columbia to settle a proposed change to the state’s Congressional districts.

The governor’s order came just over half an hour after the end of the legislative session. The South Carolina House of Representatives is expected to meet again on Friday. The Senate, meanwhile, will reconvene once actions in the House are taken.

The push to change the district maps also comes less than a month from the June 9 primaries, and less than two weeks from the start of the early voting period on May 26.

At the center of the debate is a proposed Congressional map backed by House Republicans and developed with input from Adam Kincaid, executive director of the National Republican Redistricting Trust. Supporters say the map could position Republicans to win all seven of South Carolina’s U.S. House seats.

However, the effort hit a setback when five Republican senators joined Democrats in opposing a session-ending resolution to work on redistricting and maps in a special session, throwing the redistricting process into uncertainty.

The disagreement has exposed divisions within the GOP. House Republicans, including Rep. Luke Rankin of Laurens, argue the map clearly supports a 7-0 outcome and say lawmakers in the Senate have not fully engaged in the redistricting work.

“I thought the map was very clearly laid out,” Rankin said. “It definitely sets us up for a strong 7-0 map. I don’t really see a scenario that it would be a 5-2 map, so I disagree with the Senate on that.”

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, a Republican from Edgefield, has expressed skepticism, warning that an overly aggressive approach could backfire.

“At best you’re going to go 6-1, and you may even go 5-2,” Massey said. “If you get cute with this, you could end up in a 5-2 scenario.”

With lawmakers unable to reach a consensus, attention has shifted to McMaster, who has the authority to call lawmakers back into session. Sources expect that move to come through an executive order.

The governor did not take questions at a Statehouse event earlier in the day. His office said he is closely monitoring developments in the final days of the legislative session and indicated an announcement is likely Thursday afternoon.

The full House has not yet voted on the redistricting maps advanced by a committee earlier this week. Still, lawmakers in both chambers say they are preparing for a special session, though details about how the process would unfold remain unclear.

MORE BACKGROUND

The sudden push for redistricting was seen after both a referendum in Virginia, which gave that state more Democratic seats, as well as a Supreme Court decision that struck down out parts of the Voting Rights Act that protected against racial discrimination in voting and representation.

The results of the Virginia referendum were also struck down by that state’s supreme court.

It’s also come with increased pressure from the White House, as President Donald Trump has personally been on the phone with multiple state lawmakers, encouraging them to pass new maps.

South Carolina would follow suit with other states like Tennessee, North Carolina, Texas, California and Missouri in redrawing maps that could determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives.

HOW THE PROPOSAL WOULD CHANGE SC

Currently, South Carolina has six Republican and one Democratic district. The current map can be seen below.

The proposed map, seen below, aims to divide voters in the Sixth Congressional District, represented by longtime Democrat Rep. Jim Clyburn, to create seven Republican-leaning districts.

Here are some of the more notable changes in the proposal:

ORANGEBURG FLIPS DISTRICT

One of the more notable changes would be the entirety of Orangeburg County being moved from the Sixth Congressional District to the Second Congressional District.

Orangeburg County would be included with Lexington and Calhoun counties, along with the southeastern sections of Richland County and part of Sumter County.

RICHLAND COUNTY SPLIT

• Columbia and northwest areas, such as Irmo, would fall into the Third Congressional District. This district also includes all of Newberry and Saluda counties, as well as several other Upstate counties and cities, including Clemson
• Areas of northeast Richland, including Blythewood, would move into the Fifth Congressional District. That district also includes all of Fairfield County, along with other counties further north toward the state line.
• Forest Acres and some eastern parts of the county would fall into the Second Congressional District.

YORK COUNTY SPLIT

Most of York County would stay in the Fifth Congressional District.

However, major Charlotte suburbs would be split, with Rock Hill and Tega Cay staying in the Fifth Congressional District, and Fort Mill moving to the Sixth Congressional District.

CHARLESTON COUNTY SPLIT

Charleston County would still be split into two districts, this time between the first and seventh.

Many rural areas of Charleston County, such as Ravenel and Meggett, would remain in the First Congressional District, while the City of Charleston and surrounding areas like North Charleston and Mt. Pleasant would move to the Seventh Congressional District that also includes Horry and Georgetown counties.

HAMPTON AND ALLENDALE BOTH FLIP DISTRICTS

Hampton and Allendale would both move from the Sixth Congressional District to the Second Congressional District, putting them with Midlands counties like Lexington and Orangeburg.

COLLETON AND JASPER BOTH IN ONE DISTRICT

Colleton and Jasper would no longer be split between the First and Sixth Congressional Districts; instead, both would be fully in the First District, alongside Jasper and Beaufort counties.

SPARTANBURG SPLIT IN TWO

Both the city and county of Spartanburg would be split between the Fourth and Fifth Congressional Districts, with the northern part of the city and county going to the Fifth District and the southern part to the Fourth.

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