South Carolina House debates Trump-backed redistricting plan

What's happened

The South Carolina House is debating a redistricting plan urged by President Trump that would reshape the state’s only Democratic-held U.S. House district and could yield a Republican advantage in the midterms. A special August primary would select candidates as maps are updated, with some absentee votes already cast potentially being discarded.

What's behind the headline?

Current dynamics

The plan targets Jim Clyburn’s district, a longtime Democratic seat, as part of broader GOP efforts to redraw mid-decade maps.
Republicans argue a 7-0 map could improve their chances, while Democrats say the move undermines voting rights and reshapes representation.
The discussion is taking place amid national attention on redistricting, with similar moves in Tennessee and Louisiana.

Implications for voters

A shift in district boundaries could affect which party holds the state’s seven seats and influence the balance in Congress.

How we got here

Lawmakers are weighing a map that could yield a Republican sweep in Congress, following a Supreme Court ruling that weakened Voting Rights Act protections. The discussion follows a push from Trump allies to redraw districts in several states to strengthen GOP control ahead of the midterms.

Our analysis

AP News reports on the South Carolina redistricting push and the state House debate, with coverage noting President Trump’s involvement and potential legal and electoral consequences.

Go deeper

What does the new map mean for South Carolina voters in the June primaries?
Could absentee ballots already cast be discarded under the new plan?
How are Republican and Democratic lawmakers reacting to the proposed changes?