South Carolina Governor Calls Special Session on Redistricting

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has called a special legislative session to address congressional redistricting ahead of the November 2026 midterm elections. This decision marks a reversal from his initial stance, occurring after the Republican-led state Senate rejected a measure to extend the current session for map revisions. The primary objective of the new session is to implement a redrawn congressional map that is expected to eliminate the state's only majority-minority district. This district is currently represented by longtime Democratic Representative James Clyburn, a significant power broker within the party. The move aligns South Carolina with other Southern states rushing to adjust electoral maps following a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakened Voting Rights Act protections against racial gerrymandering. Similar actions have been taken in Tennessee, where Republicans enacted a new map affecting Rep. Steve Cohen’s district. The special session is scheduled to begin immediately, reflecting intense political pressure, including from former President Donald Trump, to secure additional Republican-leaning seats before the upcoming midterms.