Redistricting SC 2021 has begun in the SC Senate and SC House. Here's what we know for sure: don't blink! Participate in the process at every juncture. Keep your eyes on the goal: fair maps for South Carolina. Let legislators know #WeAreWatching.
The SC Senate |
The SC House |
| Senate Redistricting 2021 | |
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July 27 – Aug. 12: statewide public hearings
re map criteria, in-person & virtual access
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Aug. 3: Adopted 2011 criteria for 2021 at first meeting
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Aug. 12: census data received, map drawing begins
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TBA statewide public hearings
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Sept. 8-Oct. 4 statewide public hearings;
Oct. 4 session Microsoft teams
accessible
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The Senate process
The Senate has formed a Redistricting 2021 Subcommittee chaired by Judiciary Chair Luke Rankin. Refer to the Senate Redistricting 2021 website for full details.
Your chance to be heard?
The Senate outlined a process that begins with statewide hearings, July 27 in Columbia through August 12 in Graniteville, accessible in-person or virtually. Comment is solicited on the criteria to be used in defining district boundaries as well as local communities of interest of concern.
This schedule allows the Senate to receive public input before census data are received on August 12 and map drawing begins.
Links to request an opportunity to speak at the remaining hearings are available on the website as well as information on how to sign up in person at a hearing or submit written comments.
Looking ahead
The Senate plans additional public input opportunities including submission of maps to the committee for their consideration, and comment on their proposed maps once those are developed.
The House process
The House has formed a committee chaired by Representative Jay Jordan. Refer to the House Redistricting 2021 website for full details.
Your chance to be heard?
House redistricting public hearings begin long after census data are received and map drawing has begun. The first event is in Myrtle Beach on September 8 and the last is in Columbia on October 4.
Opportunities to participate will be limited because there will be no virtual option to testify except at the final Columbia meeting. This is especially a source of concern because the pandemic is expanding rapidly with the dominance of the Delta variant.
House public hearings will not address criteria. Their criteria, the same used in 2011, were adopted without question or comment during the first committee meeting.
Looking ahead
No information has been released regarding plans for acceptance of map plans from the public or for the release of draft maps by the House. These steps might be combined with the hearing process or might follow later.
Who cares? We all do.
We expect that both houses will return to Columbia at an unknown date in October to vote on proposed maps.
Everyone who cares about our representative democracy needs to pay close attention and participate in the redistricting process at all of the important junctures! It is crucial that legislators know that the public is concerned. The outcome of redistricting determines whether we have a choice at the ballot box in November.
Don't blink! On social media, let legislators know.
#WeAreWatching
League of Women Voters of South Carolina criteria:
- should exclude partisan and incumbent protection
- should not be drawn with the intention of reducing competitiveness
- should avoid splitting counties and precincts when possible
