By Lauren Lennon, WPDE-TV (Florence)

LOWCOUNTRY, S.C. (WCIV) — Tuesday afternoon, the State Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on a case challenging the constitutionality of how the state’s Congressional Districts are drawn.

Some groups claim one political party has been given the advantage.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of South Carolina, is one of the parties who filed the lawsuit “The League of Women Voters of South Carolina vs. Alexander”, which challenges the constitutionality of partisan gerrymandering specifically under the South Carolina constitution Article 1, Section 5, which reads,

“All elections shall be free and open, and every inhabitant of this State possessing the qualifications provided for in this Constitution shall have an equal right to elect officers and be elected to fill public office.”

Ahead of Tuesday’s arguments, Paul Bowers, the Communications Director of ACLU of South Carolina, sent News 4 this statement reading in part quote,

"State lawmakers have admitted they drew electoral maps to secure a partisan advantage, and the question before the court is whether they should be allowed to do that under the South Carolina constitution. We believe that voters should choose their elected officials, and not the other way around."

In May of 2024, in a 6-3 decision, the US Supreme Court rejected the argument that South Carolina’s 1st congressional district was racially gerrymandered. The map was upheld for the November elections last year.

Read the full article at the link above. Tuesday’s oral arguments about the alleged partisan gerrymandering are scheduled for 2 p.m. and will be streamed here.