Full Breakdown
South Carolina’s Mid-Decade Redistricting Drive After Supreme Court’s Callais Ruling
5/11/2026, 5:57:06 AM
Court Decision & Legislative Action
On April 29, 2026 the Supreme Court’s *Louisiana v. Callais* decision struck down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, removing a barrier to racial gerrymandering. South Carolina House passed a sine-die amendment (87-25) to reconvene after May 14, and subcommittee voted 3-2 to move the June 9 primary to August 11.
Map Targeting the 6th District
A May 7 map would split Rep. Jim Clyburn’s majority-Black 6th District, dividing Charleston between districts 1 and 7, breaking Richland County into three districts, and pairing Clyburn with Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC). It would erase the 6th District and could produce a 7-0 Republican delegation.
Official Statements
House leaders called the amendment a “necessary step” to align districts with legal framework. Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey said senators must review the maps before voting. Gov. Henry McMaster declined a special session, keeping the sine-die route. Election Commission director Conway Belangia warned moving the primary “will be difficult… but it is possible” and cited a $2.5 million cost to discard printed absentee ballots.
Opposition
Democrats called the effort partisan. Rep. Justin Bamberg (D-SC) said the delay is “not for the benefit of all the citizens of this state, but for one party.” Former DNC chair Jaime Harrison called Richland County split a “political jigsaw puzzle.” James Starnes called the plan a “DEI map,” and Chris Hemsall asked, “Who thinks gerrymandering is good for democracy?”
Quotes
- “Republicans are trying to break apart South Carolina’s 6th District. Not because voters demanded it, but because Donald Trump requested it.” — Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-SC
- “new 7-0 Republican map eliminating Jim Clyburn’s unconstitutional race-based district.” — Rep. Adam Morgan, R-SC
- “That’s being done not for the benefit of all the citizens of this state, but for the benefit of one party.” — Rep. Justin Bamberg, D-SC
- “If we’re making three or four seats competitive, you’re going to get better Democratic candidates, and you’re going to get more money for those candidates.” — Sen. Shane Massey, R-SC
Data
- House sine-die amendment: 87-25 vote.
- Subcommittee vote to shift primary: 3-2.
- ~6,000 absentee ballots mailed; >200 returned; $2.5 million cost to discard.
- Clyburn’s 6th District: ~45 % Black voting-age population.
- Current delegation: 6 Republicans, 1 Democrat.
Implications & Next Steps
Eliminating the 6th District would remove the state’s only Black-majority seat, shifting the House balance from 6-1 to 7-0 and creating districts that could open seats for Democrats, testing post-*Callais* redistricting. The Senate needs a two-thirds vote on the sine-die amendment; if passed, the Judiciary Committee will hold hearings before the May 14 adjournment, while lawmakers consider moving the primary to August 11, risking thousands of absentee ballots. The outcome will shape South Carolina’s delegation for the 2026 midterms.
