South Carolina Senate Republicans moved a new congressional map closer to approval Saturday, marking the third straight day of senate debate on the redistricting plan.
The 27-17 vote moves the map one step closer to reaching Gov. Henry McMaster's desk sometime next week. The Senate will reconvene Tuesday to continue consideration of the plan—the same day early voting begins in South Carolina.
The Republican-led House passed a plan early last Wednesday that would improve the party's chances of winning the state's only Democratic-held seat.
But passage is not guaranteed. Opponents hope early primary voting puts pressure on redistricting supporters because thousands of voters could cast ballots for congressional candidates that may not be counted.
“These votes on Tuesday matter more than they ever have before,” Democratic Sen. Jeffrey Graham said.
Democrats and some Republicans have reservations. Some GOP senators fear that their attempt to win the district held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn could backfire by spreading so many Democrats into Republican-held districts that they become susceptible to being lost.
South Carolina's primaries are set for June 9. The legislation revising the districts would set a new congressional primary for August.