by: Caroline Yaffa, WSPA-TV (Greenville)

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) – South Carolina’s highest court heard arguments about possibly changing the state’s political maps Tuesday. The debate stemmed from the congressional map that was redrawn in 2020. The League of Women Voters is suing the state over a redistricting map that they believe is unfair and illegal.

“What we see in our congressional map is a badly distorted map that does not reflect any one community or any one cohesive group of communities,” said Lynn Teague with the League of Women Voters of South Carolina (LWVSC) 

Specifically, they feel the map was redrawn in favor of a republican congressional race in the Low Country. As of now, representative Nancy Mace (R – South Carolina) is in office but, LWVSC believe the remapping of congressional district one was unfairly drawn in the republican’s favor.

“The whole intention of redistricting is to protect the right of voters, to be accurately represented by their representatives in our democracy, representative democracy. Right now, we believe that’s not happening,” Teague said.

“The constitution empowers the General Assembly to arrange counties into congressional districts as it deems wise and proper. This grant authorizes the general assembly, rather than the judiciary, to make all the political judgments inherent in congressional redistricting.”

This same map was discussed a few years ago in the U.S. Supreme Court and was ruled fair.

“I think the court will uphold, and this issue is similar and has been ruled on by the U.S., so I think that gives an indication where the law is,” Governor Henry McMaster (R – South Carolina) said.

After the court heard arguments, the ACLU and LWVSC said, “South Carolinians have the right not just to vote, but to cast a vote that genuinely reflects the interests of their community,” said Nancy Williams, President of the League of Women Voters of South Carolina. “The existing map was drawn not to give voice to voters but to protect politicians. The League of Women Voters of South Carolina is proud to fight for equality of political power for all South Carolina voters, and we hope the court will issue an order that allows us to have a true voice in how we are governed.”

Now it’s up to the State Supreme Court to decide, but the big question is, if there is a change, will it be before the 2026 election. Read the full article at the link above.