Statehouse leaders say 'no do-overs needed' after SC high court denies challenge to House map

The South Carolina Supreme Court on Wednesday denied a challenge to the make up of the state’s seven congressional districts.

The League of Women Voters of South Carolina had sued the state, arguing that the Republican-dominated state Legislature gerrymandered the current district plan to ensure that only one of the seven districts would favor a Democratic candidate’s election chances.

In the high court's unanimous decision, the five justices ruled that politics is an inherent part of the Congressional redistricting process, and that the current plan is constitutional.

The U.S. Supreme Court has also upheld South Carolina's House map, which is broken down by six Republicans and one Democrat.

"Today's decision will invariably attract praise and criticism from all corners of the political spectrum," state Supreme Court Chief John Kittredge wrote in his concurring opinion. "To those on either side of the debate, I point to the constitutional bedrock of this nation: the sovereign power of the People to shape legislative outcomes through advocacy and the ballot box, a principle more fully explained by James Madison in The Federalist No. 10. Our judicial constraint today in no way muffles the People's voice in shaping the laws that govern us."

Lynn Teague, the state League's vice president, called the ruling was disappointing.

“Partisan gerrymandering is an attack on our most fundamental right as citizens, the right to vote," Teague said in a statement. "But the League of Women Voters of South Carolina will not stop fighting for fair redistricting. If a constitutional amendment is needed to protect voters, the people of South Carolina must demand that amendment.”

Republican Statehouse leaders celebrated the decision Wednesday.

“After years of litigation — only for the federal and state supreme courts to tell us what we knew all along — I am grateful to see this matter finally resolved," Senate President Thomas Alexander, R-Oconee, said.

Republican leaders also appeared to send a message to some within their party that mid-year redistricting — what other states have proposed or completed — is not on the table.

Among the most vocal proponents for mid-year redistricting, Congressman Ralph Norman, who represents the 5th District and is running for the GOP nomination for governor, has called on the Legislature to return to Columbia to redraw the House map.

"South Carolina leads by example. Working together, the House and Senate delivered fair maps after the 2020 census - no do-overs needed," S.C. House Speaker Murrell Smith, R-Sumter, posted to X, Wednesday after the ruling.

"Agreed," Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, R-Edgefield, replied.