A rally in opposition of potential congressional redistricting met outside the Statehouse in Columbia Thursday afternoon as debate on the map and redraw of the state's seven congressional districts continued to play out.
Some 140 people chanted about their frustration with state lawmakers amidst the redistricting process. The American Civil Liberties Union and other civil rights organizations called on the public to attend the weekday rally.
In the crowd was LaTisha Vaughn, who works with education advocacy group ProTruth SC. She said the average South Carolinian should not be expected to keep up with the changes being made in such a short span of time.
"We couldn't sit back and not participate in this rally," she said. "We want to make sure that the community knows what is going on and how to advocate for themselves."
The House passed its version of the new map early Wednesday in a 74-37 vote. And the South Carolina Senate Judiciary Committee advanced the plan after hours of public testimony Wednesday. The Senate began debate Thursday.
The state's chapters of the ACLU and League of Women Voters had filed a lawsuit May 19 that accused House Republicans of violating the state’s open records laws after several rule changes that pertained to the proposed map and debate. Circuit Court Judge Daniel Coble denied the request and said the Freedom of Information Act provisions cited in the lawsuit did not apply to the challenged House resolution
The bill and new congressional map is projected to give Republicans control of the lone South Carolina congressional seat held by a Democrat; U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, who in March announced his intent to run for reelection of his seat as currently drawn, has represented the state in Washington since 1992.
If the bill were to make its way through the Senate as is, the state's upcoming June 9 primary election would, too, be impacted. The primary election would continue, but voters would not be able to help narrow down candidates for the state's U.S. House seats. Primaries in the race to represent the new congressional districts would be moved to Aug. 18, and candidates vying for the offices would need to file for election between June 1 and June 5.
State Election Commission Director Conway Belangia said during Wednesday testimony that a second set of primaries would cost about $5 million to $6 million.
Opponents to a new map argue that the U.S. Supreme Court already held up the state's current map in 2024. Pockets of people feel as though the pace of the process has placed more of an importance on political power than public interest.
Veteran Wade Fulmer attended the rally and was outspoken about his vitriol toward the map. Fulmer, who had unsuccessfully run for mayor of Columbia in 2025, said decisions did not feel as though they were being made for the people of South Carolina.
"It's a rush — it's recklessness. It's not looking after the voting rights of the people of South Carolina," he said.
The special session began Friday, May 14, after Gov. Henry McMaster called the session Thursday. Shortly after the governor's announcement, the state GOP released a statement applauding him for the decision.
"Thanks to the Supreme Court ruling, Republicans have an opportunity to get this done, and we should maximize it," state GOP chair Drew McKissick said in a May 14 statement. "Now is the time for lawmakers to stand with President Trump, defend the Constitution, and finish the job."
Debate inside the Statehouse has included a cornucopia of amendments and days of discussion. Debate outside the lawmaking walls has been dominated by social media posts and in-person rallies.
