South Carolina Senate rejects Trump-backed plan to redraw districts before midterms
The South Carolina Senate on Tuesday declined to support a Republican plan to cancel upcoming congressional primaries and redraw districts ahead of the Nov. 8 midterm elections, citing the timing of the election. The plan aimed to help the GOP challenge a longtime Democrat, but some senators said it was too late to implement such changes, according to state Sen. Richard Cash.
The veto came as early in-person voting started in South Carolina’s primaries. The Republican-led effort was part of a broader strategy influenced by former President Donald Trump to redraw voting districts to favor Republicans. The move follows a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened minority protections under the Voting Rights Act, prompting redistricting battles in several states.
In Alabama, a federal court issued a preliminary injunction blocking a Republican-drawn congressional map, citing racial discrimination. The court ordered the use of a court-imposed map that includes two districts with significant Black populations. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall announced plans to appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, predicting victory.
Meanwhile, some courts sided with Republicans in other states. A Florida judge refused to block new congressional districts, which could net Republicans up to four additional seats. A federal judge in Tennessee also declined to halt a map that alters a majority-Black district in Memphis, potentially boosting Republican chances in that state’s lone Democratic seat.
Redistricting efforts have accelerated ahead of the midterm elections, with Republicans pushing new maps in Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Florida, and Tennessee. Democrats anticipate gains in California and Utah, but recent setbacks in Virginia and ongoing legal battles in Louisiana illustrate the contentious landscape. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned efforts to eliminate majority-Black districts, calling on corporations to oppose such gerrymandering.
In South Carolina, early voting turnout was high, with more than 32,000 votes cast by Tuesday afternoon. U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a Democrat whose district faces potential redistricting, expressed confidence in his reelection despite the GOP’s efforts. Clyburn criticized the push for redistricting outside the normal process, accusing the White House of disregarding constitutional procedures.
Source: Original Article
