Redistricting

This last-minute effort to change the map seemed unlikely only days ago, but there is growing interest among legislators who think their party might gain at least one congressional seat. The House has voted on May 6 to take up this issue during the annual Sine Die session, following the regular session, in a few weeks. If the Senate concurs, the General Assembly will take up congressional redistricting when they all return to Columbia.

A meeting of the Constitutional Laws Subcommittee on congressional redistricting has been called for 9 am this Friday, May 8, in Blatt Building, Room 110. Written testimony (emails) may be submitted to HJudConstitutionalLaws [at] schouse.gov (). It is not clear if oral testimony will be permitted.

Those behind this effort want only Republican congressmen representing South Carolina. They want a 7R-0D congressional delegation. This would be accomplished by making Congressional District (CD) 6, originally drawn to provide minorities an opportunity to elect someone of their choosing under the Voting Rights Act, more competitive for Republicans.  However, this is a two-edged sword. It is not clear which party would benefit most. Making any district more competitive for one party cannot be done without making adjacent districts more competitive for the other major party.

Nevertheless, this is not the League’s concern. On August 6, 2025, the national League released a statement saying that 

“The League of Women Voters does not support a tit-for-tat approach to redistricting. State legislatures redrawing their maps mid-cycle reflects political gamesmanship that erodes public trust in our democracy. Redistricting must be fair, transparent, and rooted in the voices of voters — not partisan retaliation.” 

Our concern is centered on the voters and their confidence that their voice matters in how they are governed. We oppose redistricting South Carolina’s congressional map this year.

At present we see two decisions to be made. The first step is deciding whether redistricting can be considered when they return to Columbia in a few weeks under the Sine Die resolution. The second question is whether the districts would be redrawn, and if so, how.

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Talking points 

• South Carolina’s current map is gerrymandered but it has been found constitutional by both the U.S. Supreme Court and the S. C. Supreme Court.There is no legal necessity for reconsideration.
• State legislatures redrawing their maps mid-cycle reflects political gamesmanship that erodes public trust, the foundation of representative democracy. 
• The redistricting process should include opportunities for public input and comment. The process contemplated at present provides no such opportunity
• A new map would require cancelling the June 9 primaries and beginning again with a new filing process and a new primary schedule, although some military voters have already voted. This would be an administrative burden and a burden for candidates and voters.
• People who have donated to their preferred candidate during the months of campaigning that have already occurred might find that they are no longer in a district associated with that candidate.
• Implementing a different congressional map would cost substantial state and county money, as arrangements long in place for the primaries would have to be revisited. 
• This midterm redistricting has been initiated by a national administration wishing to protect its own interest, fundamentally at odds with the democratic ideals of our nation.

Abortion Bill 

Abortion Bill H.4760 classifies abortion medications Mifepristone and Misoprostol as Schedule IV substances. This is a category that exists to protect patients from drugs that can cause harm or addiction in those taking them.

These drugs do not risk either of those harms. They are safer than many drugs available without a prescription, and it is absurd to suppose that they might become addictive. Pregnant people do not need to be protected from them.

Take action

1. Call your Senator. Ask them to ask them to vote NO on ALL EXTREME ABORTION bans including H. 4760.

2. Share this action alert with friends and family members.

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