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The State House Gavel: House opens path to redistricting, but GOP leader says no promise of a map redraw

South Carolina Public Radio | By Maayan Schechter,
Gavin Jackson
Published May 6, 2026 at 6:05 AM EDT
Rep. Jay Jordan, R-Florence, and Assistant Majority Leader Brandon Newton, R-Lancaster, in the House chamber at the South Carolina Statehouse on May 5, 2026.
GAVIN JACKSON
Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, speaks with reporters about his conversation with President Donald Trump regarding his push for the state to change its congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election. Massey told reporters in slightly dark Senate antechamber on May 5, 2026, that he is opposed to the effort which he said could jeopardize the Republicans current 6-1 majority.

It's Wednesday, May 6.

The House gavels in at 10 a.m.

The Senate will return at 1 p.m.

You're reading The State House Gavel, your daily reporter notebook by Maayan Schechter and Gavin Jackson that previews and captures what goes on at the South Carolina Statehouse.

Notebook highlights:

  • Republican leaders say there's no guarantee they actually redraw the state's congressional map this year. But they're starting the process anyway
  • Five days are left on the official Statehouse calendar. What you can expect from the legislature and highlights so far
Reporters Maayan Schechter and Gavin Jackson, host of This Week in South Carolina and the SC Lede podcast.
Andre Bellamy/SCETV
Reporters Maayan Schechter and Gavin Jackson, host of This Week in South Carolina and the SC Lede podcast.

Lawmakers start path to redistricting

This morning, the Republican-controlled South Carolina House will try to start the process that would open the legislature up for a special session return to consider whether to redraw the state's congressional map that currently favors the GOP 6-1.

But House GOP leaders emphasized Tuesday a return does not guarantee the legislature actually follows through with redistricting.

There's "been no promise whatsoever," House Majority Leader Davey Hiott, R-Pickens, told reporters Tuesday, backed up by House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter. "We have opened up the process to take a look at the maps. But the first step in doing that is we've got to amend (the) sine die (resolution)."

The move would mirror South Carolina to other southern states that have face renewed pressure by the White House and President Donald Trump to undergo mid-decade redistricting.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's congressional map as a "racial gerrymander," in what critics called a gutting of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the landmark law that has enabled minority-majority districts to be drawn and protected by the courts.

For months, as states around the country had engaged in mid-cycle redistricting, South Carolina's Republican leaders were clear on the debate over whether to redraw the state's seven congressional districts: they weren't interested.

But the high court's Louisiana ruling has now thrust many southern states into the spotlight as Republicans hope to shore up more seats to reduce the risk of losing their majority in Congress.

What else could help change the conversation?

Indiana, where anti-redistricting legislators who bucked White House redistricting efforts lost primaries Tuesday night.

So, what is the plan?

The House Rules Committee will meet at 9:30 a.m. today to consider amending the Senate-passed sine die resolution — legislation that dictates what the General Assembly can do, and when it does it, when lawmakers return after session ends May 14.

Since February, the resolution — the Senate passed a so-called "clean" version, limiting post-May 14 work to issues such as the budget, conference committees, appointments and vetoes — has sat stagnant in the House.

The amended measure is likely to advance to the GOP supermajority-controlled House, which requires a two-thirds vote to pass over to the Senate, which also must approve it by a two-thirds vote.

Though the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Louisiana's map a "racial gerrymander," the same court makeup reviewed South Carolina's map and the justices upheld the state's map in 2024 as a "partisan gerrymander", ruling it constitutional.

Longtime Congressman Jim Clyburn, the lone Democrat in the delegation, no longer represents a minority-majority district after 2020 Census changes. The 6th District does, however, pack in the most Democratic-leaning voters.

"It's appropriate for us to look at these maps, see if they comply with the current law," Smith said, telling reporters this is simply the "first step in that process."

Would redistricting impact the June 9 primaries?

Yes and no under this scenario, Smith said.

Smith said only congressional races would be impacted.

Ballots have already been printed and mailed to military and overseas voters. Early voting begins in late May and the primaries are on June 9, with runoffs scheduled June 23.

Redrawing the maps not only would delay the primaries, but would likely mean reopening candidate filing for those races.

You can hear more from Smith and Hiott below:

What does the Senate say?

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey told reporters Tuesday that a vote to amend the sine die agreement could be a tough sell in the upper chamber.

Republicans also hold a supermajority in the Senate.

"I think that's going to be a very tough vote for the Senate," the Edgefield Republican said. "Unless the Democrats vote for it, and they might, because the Democrats think they can win seats."

Massey said his redistricting concerns — for example, throwing the primary calendar out of whack, running the risk of creating a more competitive map and preserving communities of interest — have not changed.

Neither has his position changed over the debate.

Massey said he repeated his concerns Tuesday in a call with Trump, the second time the GOP leader spoke to the president on the issue.

Massey said the 10-minute chat was a "good conversation," calling it cordial.

"There was no pressure" from Trump, Massey said, adding the president asked for lawmakers to review the map.

"I will vote no on amending the sine die," Massey said.

You can hear more from Massey below:

What does the governor say?

Gov. Henry McMaster appeared on Tuesday to leave the redistricting decision up to legislature, and said he will not pressure them one way or another.

The governor can only call a legislature back to a special session after May 14 if there is no sine die resolution.

He reiterated to reporters that he wants lawmakers to ensure South Carolina's map — already upheld by SCOTUS — complies with the state and U.S. constitutions, and that lawmakers factor in election schedule changes.

"I'm not really too concerned about what other states are doing," McMaster said, noting he does not have the authority like other governors to move elections.

Read more:

Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, speaks with reporters about his conversation with President Donald Trump regarding his push for the state to change its congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election. Massey told reporters in slightly darkend Senate antechamber on May 5, 2026 that he is opposed to the effort which could jeporadize the Republicans current 6-1 majority.
GAVIN JACKSON
Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, speaks with reporters about his conversation with President Donald Trump regarding his push for the state to change its congressional maps ahead of the 2026 election. Massey told reporters in slightly dark Senate antechamber on May 5, 2026, that he is opposed to the effort which could jeopardize the Republicans current 6-1 majority.

Race to sine die: 5 days left

Lawmakers are back at work today with a busy agenda as they race to get most of their work finished by sine die next week.

The House has two big priorities on the agenda today:

  • Assuming the House Rules Committee advances an amended sine die resolution, the House will aim to take the measure up for a vote to get it sent over to the Senate, which could also vote on the resolution today.
  • The House is also expected to hold its second debate over the state's $15 billion state spending plan, known in the process as "H2." There is expected to be some focus over money set aside for S.C. State University after a small group of GOP lawmakers last week called for funding to be stripped from the historically Black university after it rescinded an invitation to Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to speak at the school's commencement ceremony. Echoing the Senate's GOP leader, Gov. Henry McMaster told reporters Tuesday he did not support removing funding from the school. No one in House leadership has also called for funding in the budget to be removed.

Other Tuesday highlights from the House:

  • The House passed a continuing resolution — S. 769 — in a unanimous vote, what would allow state government to stay open, operational and funded at current levels should the legislature not have a budget ready to go by July 1, the start of the new fiscal year. The last time the legislature used a continuing resolution was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The anti-parasite drug ivermectin is one step closer to becoming available over the counter in tablet form after the House amended H. 4042, sponsored by Rep. Jay Kilmartin, R-Lexington, in a 100-9 vote to involve the state Board of Pharmacy in developing procedures for dispensing the drug.
  • Legislation — S. 958, sponsored by Senate Medical Affairs Chairman Danny Verdin, R-Laurens — was recalled from the so-called 3M Committee and placed on the House calendar that would allow hospitals to allow beds in hallways only during a justified emergency, such as an outbreak or mass casualty event.
  • The House voted to agree with Senate changes to S. 585, sponsored by Charleston Democratic Sen. Deon Tedder, that would allow people and or their dependents with an array of health-related issues, including autism, PTSD, diabetes, ADHD and others, to get a SAFE designation on their vehicle registration. This would appear when law enforcement runs a check on the driver’s license plate. The bill now heads to the governor for his signature.
  • And, last but not least, longtime House Reading Clerk Bubba Cromer said farewell to a chamber he's sat in for decades, first as a lawmaker in the 90s and then as the reading clerk. Former legislators — they included former Gov. David Beasley, former Speaker David Wilkins and former Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer — returned to the lower chamber to watch his goodbye speech Tuesday. In addition to his day job, Cromer has been known to give members nicknames and keep the chamber entertained during some mundane moments with his quirky mannerisms.

Now onto the Senate.

The upper chamber will continue its work through the calendar today, but on Tuesday senators added high school sports league legislation — H. 4163, sponsored by House Education and Public Works Chair Shannon Erickson, R-Beaufort — to the special order slot, bumping its priority status.

Other highlights from the floor Tuesday?

  • Data centers may not be getting completely overhauled or regulated this year, but they’re one step closer to a potential sales tax exemption. The Senate recalled H. 5122, sponsored by Beaufort Republican Rep. Weston Newton, R-Beaufort, from the Judiciary Committee and put it on the calendar. The bill exempts all supplies, technical equipment, machinery and electricity sold to internet providers and communications service providers, and also classifies them as manufacturers. The state's Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office estimated refunds will reach $10 million per year. The RFA said it couldn't say whether the classification would allow for additional existing exemptions, including certain computer equipment and construction materials.
  • The Senate amended and passed a utility terrain vehicle regulation bill — S. 222, sponsored Sen. Russell Ott, D-Calhoun — in a 30-14 vote. That legislation now heads to the House.
  • The state is on the way to having an official choral anthem after the Senate passed H. 3949, sponsored by Rep. John King, D-York, that would designate "Dum Spiro Spero," translated to "While I Breathe, I Hope," as the official choral anthem of South Carolina.
  • The Senate voted 32-10 to extend tasting times at micro-distilleries by three hours during the week and allow for Sunday tastings as well. The bill — S. 355, sponsored by Sen. Sean Bennett, R-Dorchester — now heads to the House.
  • The Senate voted unanimously to pass York Republican Rep. David Martin's H. 4292, which seeks to crack down on street takeovers by creating misdemeanor offenses for those who participate, organize or aide in illegal vehicle exhibitions on roadways that would include burnouts, drifting, doughnuts, and speed contests.
The first year of the legislative session is set to end May 11, which is less than a month away. Crossover Day was April 10 which is a time when bills have to clear one chamber to another in order to have a higher chance of making it to the governor’s desk before Sine Die this year.
Gavin Jackson
/
SCETV/SC Public Radio

Statehouse daily planner (5/6)

SC House

SC Senate

SC governor

  • 7:30 p.m. — Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette to speak at the 20th annual Law Enforcement Memorial on Statehouse grounds

Statehouse clips from around the state
News From South Carolina
Maayan Schechter
Maayan Schechter (My-yahn Schek-ter) is a news reporter with South Carolina Public Radio and ETV. She worked at South Carolina newspapers for a decade, previously working as a reporter and then editor of The State’s S.C. State House and politics team, and as a reporter at the Aiken Standard and the Greenville News. She grew up in Atlanta, Georgia, and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville in 2013.
See stories by Maayan Schechter
Gavin Jackson
Gavin Jackson graduated with a visual journalism degree from Kent State University in 2008 and has been in the news industry ever since. He has worked at newspapers in Ohio, Louisiana and most recently in South Carolina at the Florence Morning News and Charleston Post and Courier.
See stories by Gavin Jackson