Story perspectives

Trump Backs Redistricting Split of Clyburn’s District, Senate Approves

5/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump urged House, which passed a redistricting plan that splits Spartanburg, dismantling Rep. James Clyburn’s district to create a delegation.
Senate Committee approved the bill despite a cloture vote that failed 26-15, leaving time before May 26 early-voting start.
Primary moves to August 18, adds $5-$6 million in costs, and discards absentee ballots.
Republicans voted against it, and League of Women Voters and ACLU sued over open-records violations.

History

Historical Context

The Supreme Court’s 1993 5-4 ruling in Shaw v. Reno, authored by Justice O’Connor, struck down North Carolina’s oddly shaped, race-based districts as unconstitutional, establishing nationwide scrutiny of racial gerrymanders. That precedent guided later cases such as Shaw v. Hunt (1996) and now underlies challenges to South Carolina’s map, prompting federal courts to evaluate its compliance with the equal-protection standard.

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Story summary

U.S. President Donald Trump urged House, which passed a redistricting plan that splits Spartanburg, dismantling Rep. James Clyburn’s district to create a delegation.
Senate Committee approved the bill despite a cloture vote that failed 26-15, leaving time before May 26 early-voting start.
Primary moves to August 18, adds $5-$6 million in costs, and discards absentee ballots.
Republicans voted against it, and League of Women Voters and ACLU sued over open-records violations.

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