SC Senate begins redistricting debate and adjourns early evening, as Dems, ACLU push back

COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO) — Debate over congressional redistricting began inside the Senate chamber at noon on Thursday — with Senators abruptly adjourning for the day just after 5 p.m.

Thursday’s debate follows hours of testimony from community members on Wednesday before the Senate Full Judiciary Committee — voting to send the bill to the Senate floor late Wednesday night.

Thursday morning began with a press conference by Senate Democrats inside the State House — bringing in boxes of what they say were proposed amendments to the bill. Members added that they’re readying themselves for a “long and strong debate.”

As absentee and military ballots continue to be returned for tabulating, Democratic leader Jim Hutto says every day that goes by, thousands more ballots are already being returned.

Hutto says those votes should be respected — especially near Memorial Day.

The press conference comes in response to testimony by Executive Director Conway Belangia with the SC Election Commission who says if redistricting goes through, the congressional portion of submitted ballots would be discarded — and then a new ballot would be submitted for folks to vote for that portion again.

“Please continue to choose your congressional candidate because we’re gonna fight like hell these next couple of days to make sure that those votes are not thrown out, so please do not skip those candidates. Vote for them, and continue to vote,” says Senator Deon Tedder.

As Senate Democrats held their press conference inside the State House, protests by the ACLU of South Carolina were happening on State House grounds.

According to the organization, the rally was meant to let voices be heard — and remind lawmakers that citizens won’t stand for “map rigging.”

Protesters held signs saying “Keep the power with the people,” “Don’t rig our voting maps,” and “Protect the South — no Jim Crow maps.”

“There’s a process for changing legislative maps, and that occurs after census at certain periods of time, that’s set up by law. And this is outside of the law. So no it’s not right at all to be doing this now. It’s just at the directive of our president which is once again to disenfranchise a group of voters, and the timing is not within the system of how this is typically supposed to happen,” says protester James Lane.

Senators began the day with follow up questions to the chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Luke Rankin.

The senate recessed for what was supposed to be 30 minutes, but turned into nearly two hours.

After returning, Senator Michael Johnson brought about the first amendment of the day — on yet another new map. Johnson and Senator Darrell Jackson debated the amendment back and forth.

“Why is it necessary for you to tell us that you think that one of the reasons why your amendment should pass is because the White House has given you their blessing?” asks Jackson.

“I made a conscious decision to consult. This is my amendment. I am here certainly to defend my amendment. I think this is a better map,” says Johnson.

Johnson later withdrew his amendment and shortly after, Hutto called for the Senate to adjourn for the day.

Senators are scheduled to return at 10 a.m. on Friday morning.

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