Early voting begins in South Carolina as senators weigh scrapping primary for congressional races
ABC News: Politics — 2026-05-26 12:39:00 — abcnews.com
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Early Voting and Redistricting Drama Unfolds
As early in-person voting kicked off Tuesday in South Carolina’s primaries, a political storm brewed over proposed congressional redistricting aimed at bolstering Republican chances in the upcoming elections. Among the first to cast his ballot was U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, a prominent Democrat whose district is under threat from GOP-led efforts to reshape it. Clyburn, undeterred by the potential changes, declared, “I’m OK if it’s Trump plus 20,” emphasizing his commitment to run for reelection regardless of the district’s configuration.
Trump’s Influence on Redistricting
The current political maneuvering is part of a broader Republican strategy, heavily influenced by President Donald Trump, to redraw voting districts to their advantage. This effort comes in the wake of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that has weakened protections for minority voters under the federal Voting Rights Act. In Alabama, however, the GOP faced a setback when a federal panel blocked a Republican-drawn congressional map, citing intentional racial discrimination.
“The plan intentionally discriminated based on race,” the court stated, ordering the use of a previously court-imposed map that maintains two Black-majority districts. Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall vowed to appeal the decision, predicting a favorable outcome for Republicans.
Democratic Response and National Implications
Democrats have rallied around the developments in Alabama, with Marina Jenkins, executive director of the National Redistricting Foundation, asserting that the fight for equitable representation continues across the nation. “Politicians are enacting gerrymanders on top of gerrymanders to erase equal representation for communities of color,” Jenkins said.
Trump has urged Republican-led states to expedite redistricting efforts ahead of the November elections, a strategy aimed at countering the historical trend of midterm losses for the president’s party. Since his initial call for Texas to redraw its districts last summer, similar efforts have emerged in states like Missouri, North Carolina, and Florida.
Clyburn’s Defense of Fair Process
In South Carolina, the Republican-led House has already passed a plan to reconfigure Clyburn’s district, voiding current primary results and scheduling new elections for August. Trump has actively lobbied for this plan, reportedly making multiple calls to Republican leaders to push for its implementation.
However, debate has stalled in the Senate, with Democrats firmly opposed and some Republicans expressing concerns that aggressive redistricting could jeopardize their existing seats. Clyburn highlighted the orderly process that characterized the last redistricting effort following the 2020 census, stating, “When the map was challenged, the U.S. Supreme Court said, yes, this is constitutional.” He lamented the current administration’s disregard for established processes, saying, “This White House says, to hell with the process, to hell with the Constitution, just do what we want done.”
Conclusion: The Stakes of Redistricting
The unfolding events in South Carolina reflect a critical moment in the ongoing battle over electoral representation. As early voting begins and redistricting discussions intensify, the implications for both parties are significant. With Trump’s influence steering Republican strategies, the outcome of these efforts could reshape the political landscape not just in South Carolina, but across the nation.