COLUMBIA — A GOP push to overhaul South Carolina’s congressional map ended Tuesday, as a record-setting start to early voting prompted Republican senators to abandon their support.
The 26-18 vote to effectively kill the bill requested by the White House included 14 Republicans.
It followed one of the chamber’s most conservative members taking the podium to explain why he could no longer support the effort, 12 days after the start of a special session ordered by Gov. Henry McMaster.
“Neither my conscience nor my common sense will allow me to stop an election underway,” said Sen. Richard Cash of Anderson County.
By noon Tuesday, 26,000 South Carolinians had voted in person. That’s more than the total for the first day of early voting in 2024. The tally rose to 32,300 an hour later. In addition, more than 4,100 absentee ballots had been returned by mail Tuesday, according to the state Election Commission.
Recognizing that Republicans will be angry at the Senate, Cash stressed that the fastest the bill could become law would be sometime Wednesday, after many more thousands of people will have voted. The only way it could have passed sooner was if at least 31 senators — a two-thirds supermajority — had voted Friday to ignore the chamber’s rules for redistricting debates.
But that motion failed twice.
Following the rule of law is a foundational principle for the nation, Cash said, adding “I’ll emphasize it’s also a bedrock principle of conservatism.”
Early voting continues through June 5. The legislation would have delayed party primaries for South Carolina’s seven U.S. House seats until August, while keeping other contests on schedule. When precincts closed June 9, any votes cast for congressional candidates would not have counted.
The White House-endorsed map would have put 2 million South Carolinians in a different congressional district.
There is no precedent in state history of the voting lines changing after voting started, Cash said, noting he’d asked staff to research the question.
Senate Minority Leader Brad Hutto called the bill’s demise “a victory for the people of South Carolina, who let it be known to everybody that their vote matters — their vote counts.
“It was the people,” Hutto told reporters after session adjourned. “When they got up this morning, normally they would have gone to work, taken their kids to daycare, maybe gone on vacation, but they didn’t today. They went out to their early voting places, and they did so in ways that we have not seen before.”
The Orangeburg Democrat also called it the latest example of “South Carolina standing up to be South Carolina,” a state known for its rebellious nature.
“You go back anywhere back in history, we’re just generally not a state that gets pushed around by Washington,” Hutto said.
People who voted in the opening hours included at least a dozen senators. Senators wearing stickers to show they’d voted ahead of the session’s 11 a.m. start included several Republicans.
After standing in line with voters in Newberry ahead of polls opening, Sen. Ronnie Cromer of Prosperity was among the nine Republicans who switched from “yes” to “no” on Tuesday.
“People will vote when they’re angry, and I think what we’re seeing today across the state, with the record early voting turnout, is that we’ve made some people mad,” said Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, who has consistently opposed the effort over the last two weeks. “Even having this conversation has upset a lot of South Carolinians, because they think that we’re cheating.”
The Edgefield Republican hopes voter anger won’t continue into the general election. He has consistently warned his colleagues that a map aimed at flipping South Carolina’s only blue U.S. House seat could backfire and create competitive seats for Democrats.
“My hope is that we have a big Republican push to try to counter that in November or else there’s going to be some losses, especially some down-ballot losses among Republicans,” Massey said.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Jessica Holdman writes about the economy, workforce and higher education. Before joining the SC Daily Gazette, she was a business reporter for The Post and Courier.
Seanna Adcox is a South Carolina native with three decades of reporting experience. After covering the S.C. Legislature and state politics for 18 years. she launched the SC Daily Gazette in November 2023 as the 37th state affiliate under the States Newsroom umbrella. Her previous employers include The Post and Courier and The Associated Press.
SC Daily Gazette is part of States Newsroom, the nation’s largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.
REACTION:
Lt. Governor Pamela Evette Blasts State Senate for Failing to Deliver Redistricting Map -- “Republicans were elected to lead, fight, and deliver results, not stall, surrender, and protect political insiders”
COLUMBIA – Lt. Governor Pamela Evette, the leading candidate for Governor and a staunch ally of President Donald Trump, sharply criticized the South Carolina State Senate today for failing to pass a new congressional map for the voters of South Carolina and President Trump’s America First agenda.
In a statement released via social media, Evette said:
“The South Carolina State Senate failed the people of South Carolina today. While President Trump is delivering on his America First agenda and Making America Great Again, the State Senate failed to deliver a strong redistricting map that reflects the conservative values of our state.
“The Senate’s inaction protects the status quo and ignores the will of the people who overwhelmingly rejected the radical left’s agenda. Republicans were elected to lead, fight, and deliver results, not stall, surrender, and protect political insiders. Conservative voters will remember who stood with them and who failed to act when given the opportunity.”
Since last fall, Evette has led the charge for bold redistricting, urging lawmakers to break up the Democrat stronghold in the 6th Congressional District and maximize conservative representation across the state.
She has worked closely with Gov. Henry McMaster, Republican leaders in the House and Senate, testified before a House Judiciary Subcommittee, conducted numerous media interviews, and authored a Daily Caller op-ed calling for decisive action on behalf of South Carolina voters and President Trump’s America First agenda.
Statement on South Carolina Senate’s Failure to Act on Redistricting
Columbia – Following the state Senate’s inaction on redistricting today, State Party Chairman Drew McKissick issued the following statement.
“We’re very disappointed with the South Carolina Senate’s failure to act on President Trump’s call for redistricting. It’s an incredible missed opportunity. Now, our focus must shift to what lies ahead: winning the next election to protect our majority and keep President Trump’s agenda moving forward.”
Statement from Gov. Henry McMaster on Congressional Redistricting
COLUMBIA – Governor Henry McMaster today issued the following statement after the South Carolina Senate adjourned without giving third reading to H. 5683, ending consideration of a new congressional map ahead of the 2026 election:
“President Trump needs a Republican Congress to continue pursuing conservative policies that make our nation stronger. I am confident that one day South Carolina’s congressional delegation will be completely Republican. I am disappointed that day has not yet come.
“With the Senate’s vote today, it is clear that South Carolina will not have a new congressional map for the 2026 election. It is time for South Carolinians to go vote confidently in a safe and secure election for the June 9 primary. And it is time for the General Assembly to return in its extra session to pass a budget for the coming fiscal year. As in all elections, I encourage our citizens to exercise their precious right to vote, especially during this 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.”
When the South Carolina General Assembly adjourned on May 14 without having resolved the issue of redistricting, Governor McMaster immediately ordered them to return for a special session. The General Assembly did so the next day. Today, after the debate and pursuant to its rules, the Senate adjourned to June 10 without giving third reading to H. 5683. There will be no new congressional map for this election.
AND Laurens County House Member Luke Rankin here.
THE OTHER SIDE:
SCDP Chair Christale Spain
“Today (May 26), South Carolinians' voices were heard. For the past two weeks, South Carolinians have stood up and fought for democracy. They waited hours to testify at committee hearings, called and wrote their elected officials, and today stood outside in the rain to cast their ballots. Because voters showed up, spoke out, and turned out in record numbers, the South Carolina Senate voted to halt debate on redistricting and adjourn until June 10, the day after the primary election, effectively stopping Republicans’ rushed attempt to redraw congressional maps in the middle of an election cycle. Thank you to every South Carolinian who refused to stay silent. Your voice matters, your vote matters, and today you proved that when people participate, democracy works.”
SCDP First Vice Chair Representative Roger Kirby
“We did it! Congressional redistricting in South Carolina has failed in the SC Senate! This victory happened because voters across South Carolina showed up in record numbers to make their voices heard. Thank you to everyone who stood up for fair representation. While we celebrate this major win, the fight for our democracy continues. Keep showing up, keep speaking out, and most importantly, keep voting. Your vote is your power!”
SCDP Executive Director Jay Parmley
“South Carolinians spoke up by voting in record numbers today, the first day of early voting for the June 9th primary. South Carolina state senators listened and did the right thing in rejecting a Trump-backed congressional redistricting plan in the middle of an election. This victory for democracy and fair legislative processes belongs to everyone who raised their voice. Let’s keep this momentum and continue shaping our future together.”
