SC redistricting debate begins in special session

COLUMBIA, S.C. – South Carolina lawmakers will be back to work on Monday as redistricting takes center stage at the State House.

Governor Henry McMaster ordered a special session to start Friday. Lawmakers spoke for and against redrawing Congressional districts following a Supreme Court ruling about redistricting in Louisiana.

Democrats argue that the change is not in the best interests of the people, while Republicans argue that it is within their rights and constitutional.

“Down here, we have the advantage and we have a right to evaluate the landscape down here the way we see fit and reflect in the will of the people of South Carolina,” South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson said.

“There is nothing about the group or the person who drew our congressional maps in South Carolina. Not a smidgeon of the concern was actually about what’s better or not better for the citizens in the state of South Carolina,” South Carolina Representative Justin Bamberg said.

The push to change the district maps comes less than a month before the June 9 primaries and less than two weeks from the start of the early voting period on May 26.