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.

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.

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.

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!