A federal court in South Carolina ruled that the upcoming congressional elections will be held under the current district boundaries, which were previously deemed unconstitutional for diluting Black voters’ political sway. Despite the ruling, a redrawn map was deemed unfeasible due to absentee voting deadlines approaching. Litigation over the map focused on the First District, represented by Republican Nancy Mace, includes much of the coast and Charleston area. The judges stated that with primary election procedures nearing, the appeal before the Supreme Court pending, and no remedial plan in place, practicality must take precedence.
South Carolina’s primary elections are scheduled for June 11, with early voting starting on May 28. The deadline for overseas absentee ballots is April 27, making it impractical to make changes to the maps. The case centers around the 1st Congressional District, held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, where race was used as a proxy for partisan affiliation, violating the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment. Following redistricting after the 2020 census, Mace won reelection by 14%, compared to her narrow victory in 2020. Plaintiffs argued that the redistricting removed Black voters to create a safer seat for Republicans, leading to the previous ruling ordering a redraw of the district.
The ACLU criticized South Carolina for failing to rectify its racially gerrymandered congressional map, which they claim disregards Black voters’ rights and voices. The civil rights groups challenging the district had requested a Supreme Court decision by January 1 to prepare for the upcoming elections. The state Legislature contended that partisan politics, not race, and a population increase in coastal areas explained the congressional map. The Supreme Court heard arguments in October but has not issued a decision. Last year, the same three-judge panel concluded that the Legislature had “exiled” Democratic-leaning Black voters from the 1st District to safeguard Mace’s seat.
In a case in Alabama last year, the Supreme Court ruled that Republican lawmakers diluted Black voters’ political power under the Voting Rights Act by drawing only one district with a majority Black population. This decision led to a new map with a second district where Democratic-leaning Black voters make up a substantial portion of the electorate. The South Carolina case differs in that the Supreme Court has not issued a decision, leaving the district boundaries in question for the upcoming elections. The struggle over the map has highlighted the complexities and controversies surrounding redistricting and the impact on voter representation and political power in states across the country. The legal battle underscores the challenges faced in ensuring fair representation and protecting voters’ rights in the electoral process.
