A separate primary for U.S. House seats would be held Aug. 18 under the new maps.
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Early voting begins Tuesday in South Carolina, but some voters may be required to cast a second ballot if state lawmakers approve new congressional district maps currently under debate.
The South Carolina Senate fast-tracked the redistricting plan over the weekend and is expected to hold a final vote on Tuesday. Senators convened Saturday for a five-hour debate — their first weekend session in 40 years.
The proposed maps, which the House passed Thursday, would redraw all seven U.S. congressional districts in the state in response to a call from President Donald Trump to create Republican-leaning districts. Currently, only one district is solidly Democratic — the seat held by Rep. Jim Clyburn in the 6th District.
In York County, the new maps would split Fort Mill from Rock Hill, placing them in separate congressional districts.
Many Republicans, including Sen. Larry Grooms, voiced support for the plan during Saturday’s debate, while also acknowledging the challenging timing.
“I like the map; I want to see the map passed. There are those who are adamantly opposed to the map. I get that. I do,” Grooms said. “I’ve been in this body long enough to know that if you don’t want something to pass, delay is always on your side.”
Critics have focused on the unusual timing of a redistricting effort during an active election cycle. Paul Bowers, communications director for the ACLU of South Carolina, called the move undemocratic.
“It’s not how a democracy works — it’s exactly backwards. It’s not democratic and it’s cheating. They’re just cheating,” Bowers said.
The biggest question: What happens to primary voters who have already mailed in their ballots? If new maps are approved, the South Carolina Election Commission would disregard congressional votes cast under the old district lines.
Under the proposed H. 5683, candidates for the seven new congressional districts would need to file between June 1 and June 5. Then, a separate primary would be held Aug. 18.
The Election Commission says the delay would cost more than $5 million.
“Many of them will be annulled because they would have voted in the wrong congressional district, because we are going to change the congressional lines while an election is happening,” Sen. Chip Campsen said during Saturday’s debate. “I’m not aware of that ever happening in United States history.”
The Senate returns to session Tuesday at 11 a.m. and is expected to work into the night ahead of the final vote.
Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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