COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Supreme Court of the United States has set a date for reviewing the redrawing of South Carolina Congressional District 1. A lower court had ruled that the district -- running from Charleston to Hilton Head -- had the lines redrawn to intentionally reduce the number of Democratic-leaning Black voters and to make it more likely for Republican candidates to win.
On the docket as Alexander v. SC Conf. of NAACP, the case will be heard on October 11. 2023.
District 1 was redrawn by the Republican-controlled SC Legislature in 2020, after the US Census was released. Republican Nancy Mace narrowly won the 2020 election to represent the district, defeating Democrat Joe Cunningham. Cunningham had won the 2018 general election to be the first Democrat in 30 years to represent the district.
Republicans have said in the past the desire to maintain a 6-1 Republican edge over Democrats in the state's congressional districts is what drove their decision to redraw the district's lines, not race.
Recent Supreme Court rulings have been made regarding on redistricting or gerrymandering in Alabama, Louisiana, and North Carolina.
- In Alabama, the Court ruled in favor of Black Alabama voters defending the Voting Rights Act.
- In Louisiana, the Court dismissed the state's appeal seeking to prevent redrawing of congressional districts that may have diluted the power of Black voters.
- In North Carolina, the Court ruled state courts can curtail the actions of legislatures when it comes to the actions of their legislatures when it comes to redistricting.