In voting news, a federal court ruled South Carolina can use a Republican gerrymandered congressional map for the upcoming U.S. House election. This, despite the same court ruling last year it was unconstitutional and that it “exiled” more than 30,000 Black residents from the Charleston-area district. But the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to issue a decision on the ruling’s challenge, allowing it to stay in place at least through the 2024 elections. The seat is currently held by the Trump-endorsed Congressmember Nancy Mace, who is running for reelection.
Meanwhile, in Florida, a federal court allowed a gerrymandered map that sidelines Black voters to remain in place. The map was created in 2022 after Governor Ron DeSantis set out to dismantle the Northern District of former Congressmember Al Lawson, a Black Democrat.