Up here at the Statehouse Complex for the latest in a long series of hearings on the SC legislature's proposed Congressional maps.
But first, some background...
But first, some background...
The House initially went with a proposal that maintained the lasting racial gerrymander in Jim Clyburn's CD-6, but kept CD-1 -- which has been decided by fewer than two points in the last two elections -- winnable for both parties. postandcourier.com/news/sc-house-…
However, Chairman Jay Jordan said some raised concerns that Beaufort County, in the lowcountry, would be combined with CD-2, represented by Joe Wilson.
They came up with a second plan that makes CD-1 much redder, drawing criticism from numerous groups. postandcourier.com/news/sc-house-…
They came up with a second plan that makes CD-1 much redder, drawing criticism from numerous groups. postandcourier.com/news/sc-house-…
That map, released days before Christmas, quickly attracted a lawsuit from the ACLU, which blasted the maps as intentionally discriminatory against Black communities.
aclu.org/press-releases…
aclu.org/press-releases…
Rep. Bernstein has already said she plans to vote against the second map, and has raised questions about the involvement of federal lawmakers and other outside groups in drawing them.
Bernstein asks if there's an opportunity to keep Charleston whole and keep Beaufort Co. together.
But Rep. Newton said the maps may not work, and that the communities of interest in Beaufort more resemble those of greater Charleston than a place like North Charleston.
But Rep. Newton said the maps may not work, and that the communities of interest in Beaufort more resemble those of greater Charleston than a place like North Charleston.
The ad hoc committee votes to adopt the House alternative plan on party lines. Bamberg absent.
I'll have a full story later, but this is a preliminary meeting. We will have a meeting of the full Judiciary Committee later this afternoon, where they will likely advance the maps.
I'll have a full story later, but this is a preliminary meeting. We will have a meeting of the full Judiciary Committee later this afternoon, where they will likely advance the maps.
If you're listening in and are confused, they've voted to amend the Senate redistricting bill to match the House plan, and are now advancing an identical bill from the House side, giving them two vehicles to work with in case one of the bills gets defeated during session.
Judiciary Committee is in. Rep. John Richard King (a Democrat) asks why Black voters in N. Charleston are being lumped in with Black voters in Columbia, but those in Beaufort Co. are being kept with Lowcountry voters in Charleston rather than with red districts in the Midlands.
Said that this map is partisan, being advanced only because of the R's majority in the statehouse.
"That is a slap in the face of South Carolinians if you think they are so dog gone stupid to not realize what is happening today," he said.
"That is a slap in the face of South Carolinians if you think they are so dog gone stupid to not realize what is happening today," he said.
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