A federal court in South Carolina has ruled that this year’s congressional elections will be held under the current district boundaries, despite the map being previously deemed unconstitutional for diluting Black voters’ political influence. The court determined that redrawing the map before the upcoming voting deadlines is unfeasible. The litigation primarily focuses on the First District, represented by Republican Nancy Mace, which covers a large portion of the coast and Charleston area.
The judges noted that with primary election procedures approaching rapidly, an appeal pending before the Supreme Court, and no remedial plan in place, practicality must take precedence over the ideal. South Carolina’s primary elections are scheduled for June 11, with early voting starting on May 28, and overseas absentee ballots due by April 27. The judges found it “plainly impractical” to alter the maps at this stage due to the impending deadlines.
The case revolves around South Carolina’s 1st Congressional District, currently held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. Last year, a three-judge panel determined that the state had used race as a proxy for partisan affiliation in violation of the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. Democratic incumbent Rep. Joe Cunningham lost to Mace in 2020, and after redistricting in 2022, Mace won reelection by a larger margin.
Civil rights groups filed a lawsuit challenging the redistricting, alleging that Black voters were removed from the district to ensure a safer seat for Republicans. The Legislature had redrawn the district, which led to the lawsuit. Last year’s ruling found that 30,000 Democratic-leaning Black voters were excluded from the 1st District to benefit Mace, a decision that was appealed by the state. The Supreme Court heard arguments but has yet to issue a decision.
The American Civil Liberties Union, part of the coalition challenging the district, criticized South Carolina’s failure to rectify the gerrymandered map, stating that it undermines democracy and entrenches voter suppression in the state. The case differs from a similar one in Alabama, where the Supreme Court ruled that Republican lawmakers diluted Black voters’ power under the Voting Rights Act. The decision resulted in a new map with a second district where Democratic-leaning Black voters comprise a significant portion of the electorate.
The Supreme Court’s decision in the South Carolina case remains pending, and with the approaching voting deadlines, the court ruled to proceed with the current district boundaries. The legal battle over the district map continues, with implications for the upcoming congressional elections in the state. The outcome of this case will have a significant impact on representation and voting rights for South Carolina residents. It raises questions about the intersection of race, political affiliation, and the constitutional rights of voters in the redistricting process. Ultimately, the court’s ruling highlights the complexities and challenges surrounding electoral district boundaries and the potential impact on democratic principles.
