MORNING NEWSBREAK | Because the U.S. Supreme Court hasn’t yet ruled on an appeal of a 1st Congressional District map deemed racially gerrymandered last year, a panel of federal judges ruled unanimously Thursday that the 2024 election needed to proceed under the old map.
Filing for the seat, currently held by Republican U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, ends April 1. She faces at least two GOP opponents in a June 11 primary. Three Democratic candidates also have filed for the seat.
“With the primary election procedures rapidly approaching, the appeal before the Supreme Court still pending, and no remedial plan in place, the ideal must bend to the practical,” the judges wrote.
Voting rights advocates decried the ruling, saying it is unjust to hold even one election in districts that are unconstitutional.
“Make no mistake — these discriminatory maps are a direct attempt to suppress Black voices ahead of a consequential election,” said Brenda Murphy, president of the S.C. State Conference of the NAACP, a plaintiff in the case. “We will not stand idly by as the rights of thousands of South Carolinians continue to be overlooked.
“The court’s ruling today, further delaying these proceedings, continues to tip the scale of justice during a crucial moment in our democracy in an undemocratic attempt to sway the outcome of the upcoming election.”
Sam Skardon, chairman of the Charleston County Democratic Party, told the Charleston City Paper this morning that he saw use of the old map as a “conservative attack on our democracy. South Carolina Republicans drew a map that unconstitutionally diminishes our votes, then Donald Trump’s Supreme Court ran out the clock on making them fix it. People are disillusioned with politics and this is a big reason.”
Last year, a three-judge panel ruled South Carolina’s Republican-led legislature “exiled” 30,000 Black voters from the 1st Congressional District to make it safer for Mace, the White GOP incumbent. The state, in response, appealed the ruling, and both sides asked the U.S. Supreme Court to expedite the case ahead of the 2024 election cycle. The court heard arguments in October, but has yet to make a final decision, which triggered Thursday’s lower court ruling as the primary approaches.
In City Paper news today:
CP OPINION: A new way to give democracy a boost. “All of this is extremely healthy and vital for our democracy to remain strong. Voters need to have solid reporting to hold officials accountable and make sure they’re living up to the trust put in them. Taxpayers need good information to make sure leaders are being responsible with public dollars. All residents need reliable news so they can make informed choices at the polls on the direction for the community.”
CP CARTOON:
CP FOCUS: Animal communicators help you know what your pet wants. No matter how strong an owner’s bond is with a pet, it can be challenging to understand the pet’s needs. There is a barrier between people and their animals: a lack of communication. That’s where professionals like Johns Islander Barbara Rawson come in.
CP NEWS: Group talks preschool suspensions. A tri-county advocacy group wants to collaborate with educators and the parents of Black preschool children who have been suspended from schools to create culturally responsive policies that keep children in school to thrive.
In other recent news:
Air Canada takes flight in Charleston. Charleston International Airport is earning its naming stripes again as Air Canada resurrects a dormant international route between Canada’s most populous city and the Lowcountry.
North Charleston celebrates grand opening of new sports complex. The city of North Charleston held a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand opening of the new North Charleston Sports Complex, a multi-million dollar project in Park Circle.
North Charleston police warn against scam calls. North Charleston Police are warning residents against scam calls after receiving several reports from concerned citizens on the issue. Reports indicate the calls are posing as police officers and demanding money.
City of Charleston providing opportunities to small businesses. The city of Charleston is hosting a small business opportunity expo to help under-represented, disadvantaged, veteran, minority and women-owned businesses in the area.
Charleston mayor thinks city’s challenges can be overcome. Charleston Mayor William Cogswell begins to confront flooding, sea level rise and affordable housing during his first three months in office with hope to overcome these obstacles.
Help keep the City Paper free.
No paywalls.
No subscription cost.
Free delivery at 800 locations.
Help support independent journalism by donating today.