Senate vote shows a new SC congressional map can't become law before early voting starts
COLUMBIA — South Carolina senators failed Friday to muster the votes necessary for finalizing a new congressional map before early voting begins for party primaries, but debate on the White House-backed map continued.
Supporters needed two-thirds majority approval — at least 31 votes — to void their own redistricting rules and start voting on the bill.
The 25-15 vote fell six votes short, as six Republicans joined Democrats in opposing the rushed process. The count also indicates supporters are one vote short of limiting debate through an existing rule that becomes an option Saturday. Even if they pick up a vote to push that through, debate could continue for up to 46 hours before the Senate actually votes on the bill.
“If you can’t suspend the rules, the earliest the Senate could pass something is when you have tens of thousands of people standing in line to vote already,” Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, among the “no” votes, told reporters.
https://scdailygazette.com/2026/05/22/senate-vote-shows-a-new-sc-congressional-map-cant-become-law-before-early-voting-starts/