Making Democracy Work in SC: Senate Congressional Map Plan Released

The Senate has released their staff proposal for Congressional Districts, and will meet next Monday, November 29, at 10:30 AM, Room 308 of the Gressette Building. Their press release is below. Their map is posted under Plan Proposals at https://redistricting.scsenate.gov. 

We have uploaded the block file to Dave’s Redistricting App at https://davesredistricting.org/maps#viewmap::5fed38de-3f6f-4a01-bca4-0354dfd1f509. The map can be more easily examined and evaluated there. The map retains CD 6 as an opportunity district for minorities. However, it draws CD 1 (at present the only competitive Congressional district in the state) as strongly non-competitive and continues to group North Charleston and nearby areas with Columbia in CD 6 rather than with Charleston in CD 1. In contrast to the Senate plan for Senate districts, which moved in a positive direction toward greater preservation of communities of interest, the Congressional plan does not. 

The analysis at DRA rates the proposal “very bad” on competitiveness and proportionality, “ok” rating on minorities, and “bad” on compactness and splitting. (DRA notes that their ratings on minority opportunity are not assurance that Voting Rights Act and Constitutional requirements are met.)

It is important to review the map and submit testimony to the Senate Judiciary Redistricting Subcommittee by Monday if at all possible.