Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Area Subscribed Articles

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton Area Subscribed Articles

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The League found that the proposed SC Senate map is in most respects reasonable and fair to the citizens of the state. We have concerns about the effects of the growth of Lowcountry suburbs on districts that have long been heavily minority and rural, especially District 39, but we don’t ask for revision that would lead to “packing” that or any other district.

We found the proposed SC House plan to be an extreme gerrymander, highly protective of incumbents, and extremely non-competitive. With more than 41,000 residents in each district, this means that the House plan would unnecessarily deprive more than a quarter million South Carolinians of the right to be represented by someone that they choose in the November general elections. The damaging impacts would be felt by voters who identify with both major parties.

It is important for everyone to remain engaged in this process. We are a long way from the finish line.

SC map proposal
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The proposed SC Senate map reveals little gerrymandering bias. However, League concerns about the map proposed by the House Redistricting Committee are broader. The draft House map produces only 12 districts in which the partisan lean margin is considered competitive. This map also fails to respect genuine and important communities of interest. Finally, analysis using widely accepted redistricting mathematical evaluation methods shows that the House map displays extreme bias.

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Testimony

Substantial population growth along the coast and south of Charlotte, accompanied by population stagnation in the I-95 corridor, requires adjustments of district boundaries, in particular boundaries associated with Congressional District (CD) 1 and CD 6. However, at present CD 6 has a very high percentage of minority voters, especially when minorities smaller than our Black population are considered. The current minority margin can and should be reduced. We believe that the best way to achieve this is to focus CD 6 on the Midlands and upper Lowcountry, withdrawing it from the Charleston area.

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Testimony

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina believes that the proposed map is a significant improvement on the current Senate district configuration. The Senate staff map has much to recommend it, as well as some specific areas of concern that we hope can be addressed.

SC State House
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When the South Carolina Senate’s redistricting committee released renderings of its proposed new map earlier in November, the results were met with a collective easy shrug by lawmakers and members of the public alike. Advocacy groups closely monitoring the process — the American Civil Liberties Union, the South Carolina League of Women Voters — offered little objection.

Meeting to discuss the maps for the first time on Nov. 10, the eight members of the House redistricting committee faced several hours of constituent testimony and criticism that the 124 districts — as drawn — discouraged competition, divided communities of interest, and were released with insufficient time to allow for informed public comment.

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Testimony

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina concludes that there is an extremely high probability that the House map is an extreme partisan gerrymander (in contrast not just to the League proposal but to current maps). We also find it excessive in incumbent protection and non-competitiveness. We urge this committee to completely rethink this unfortunate plan and consider the approach taken in the League proposal.

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Gentrification and housing growth in District 23, which includes portions of downtown Greenville, have contributed to the Black population declining from 50 percent to 37 over the past decade. Calling for a process of transparency and inclusiveness, League of Women Voters of Greenville County testimony urged redistricting decisions that give meaningful voice to communities of color.

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The SC Senate will meet on Friday, November 12, for public comment on their staff proposal for SC Senate redistricting.

Late this afternoon the SC House Redistricting Committee published their draft S. C. House of Representatives plan. They will continue to expect public testimony at their Wednesday, November 10, meeting on plans submitted by third parties.

Your vote matters
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Local elections are as important as national elections because they decide things that affect our daily lives. Take part in your government on Tuesday, November 2, 2021. GO VOTE!

LWVSC congressional district map
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League maps provide more cohesive representation for communities such as Daniel Island, North Charleston, and Mount Pleasant.

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