The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 27, 2025
The U.S. Supreme Court said in 2019 that partisan gerrymandering was fundamentally a political issue, and left it to legislatures and state courts to decide. In South Carolina, a state supreme court case heard June 24th challenges the state constitutionality of partisan gerrymandering.
At the heart of the case is this provision in the South Carolina state constitution:
“All elections shall be free and open, and every inhabitant of this State possessing the qualifications provided for in this Constitution shall have an equal right to elect officers and be elected to fill public office.”
In another SCOTUS case, 2024’s Alexander vs. South Carolina NAACP, evidence showed state legislators repeatedly said they gerrymandered for partisan, not racial, reasons when they moved 30,000 mostly Black voters into Congressional District 2, leaving adjacent districts more White and conservative. Their admission of partisan gerrymandering is now being used against them.
The League of Women Voters and ACLU argue that the admitted partisan gerrymandering, QUOTE, “violated voters’ constitutional rights to ‘free and open’ elections that are protected “from all undue influence” and where voters exercise ‘equal influence’ over elections.”
The groups asked that the map be in compliance with the state constitution. We have more at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
American Democracy Minute – (2024) U.S. Supreme Court Finds South Carolina Gerrymandering Case ‘Bleaching’ Congressional District Not Racially Motivated
American Democracy Minute – (2024) The End of One South Carolina Gerrymandering Lawsuit and the Beginning of Another, as the Fight for Fair Maps Continues
League of Women Voters SC – Partisan Gerrymandering Case Reaches South Carolina Supreme Court
ACLU SC – S.C. lawmakers admit they drew Congressional maps for partisan gain. We say that violates the State Constitution.
WCIV – ACLU gerrymandering case headed for oral arguments with SC Supreme Court Tuesday
The State – Republicans admit gerrymandering. SC Supreme Court weighs if that’s allowed
Groups Taking Action:
League of Women Voters SC, ACLU SC
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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