South Carolina moves to cancel June primary to allow for GOP gerrymander

Key Points:

• South Carolina Republicans advanced a bill to delay the state's June 9 primary election to August 11, aiming to allow more time to pass a new congressional map that would dismantle the state's only Democratic district held by Rep. Jim Clyburn.
• Over 6,000 absentee ballots have already been sent for the June primary, with more than 200 returned; if the delay is approved, these ballots would be disqualified, potentially costing taxpayers approximately $2.5 million.
• The proposed redistricting map would divide Clyburn’s district, splitting majority-Black areas in Charleston and Columbia into multiple districts, drawing criticism from residents and political figures who argue it is a partisan gerrymander.
• Public testimony overwhelmingly opposed both the primary delay and the new map, with speakers including former DNC chairman Jaime Harrison and residents from Clyburn’s district condemning the plan as undermining democracy.
• The South Carolina Senate has postponed voting on the redistricting measure to review the new map further, reflecting some Republican hesitation amid rapid efforts to redraw districts following changes to Voting Rights Act protections.