The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for May 28, 2026
The South Carolina Senate abandoned a plan May 26th to flip the state’s only liberal-leaning congressional district to conservatives. A ticking clock, over a hundred proposed amendments, and record early voting turnout appear to have been factors.
Governor Henry McMaster called the special session of the General Assembly after there were not enough Senate votes to extend the regular session. The House passed the map pushed by the Trump administration and created by the National Republican Redistricting Trust, which would have likely flipped a seat held by 13-term Democratic Congressman James Clyburn. Republican senators, however, cited flaws in the map, and Democrats loaded the bill with amendments to bog it down.
The South Carolina Daily Gazette reports that Senators also cited the map’s interruption of record early voting turnout, indicating voters were unhappy with the prospect of changing the districts after primary voting had begun. Had the map changed, votes for Congressional candidates would have been invalidated.
Twelve Republicans joined Democrats in opposing a move to limit debate, then 14 Republicans defected to block the proposed map in a 26-18 vote.
There was more pro-democracy redistricting news from Alabama, as a district court panel denied reinstatement of Alabama’s 2003 congressional map, previously struck down as racially discriminatory. More on that tomorrow.
We’ve linked to more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
South Carolina Daily Gazette – SC early voting begins with record-breaking turnout. Many voters say redistricting is why.
South Carolina Daily Gazette – Statehouse Effort to redraw SC voting lines fails amid record start to early voting
Related ADM Reports:
American Democracy Minute – South Carolina Legislators Advance Map Flipping the State’s Only Blue Seat, Likely Delaying the Congressional Primary at a Cost of $6 Million
American Democracy Minute – Redistricting Firefight: SC Gov. Signals Special Session to Bypass Senate Vote; GA Gov. Calls Special Session for 2028 Maps; MD Senate May Reconsider
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU SC, League of Women Voters SC, NAACP Legal Defense Fund
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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