The South Carolina House Rules Committee has cleared a path for potential congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In a decisive vote of 12-2, committee members amended the sine die resolution to include redistricting as an option for a special legislative session.

South Carolina currently fields six Republican and one Democratic representative in Congress. A new congressional map could produce a seven-to-zero Republican advantage, which would occur after the regular legislative session concluded and following the submission of some absentee ballots.

The proposed resolution requires two-thirds approval from both chambers to take effect. Governor Henry McMaster has indicated he will not call an emergency session to redraw the state’s congressional boundaries, noting that the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the current map in 2024. He stated it would be appropriate for the General Assembly to ensure compliance with federal law and constitutional requirements.

Democratic U.S. Representative Jim Clyburn, who has represented South Carolina’s sixth district since its redrawing in 1992 to favor minority voters, is seeking his 18th term. However, Republicans could redraw his district, making his reelection more challenging.

The committee’s action sets the stage for a state House vote later this week. While Republicans hold a supermajority, some lawmakers express concern that efforts to eliminate the lone Democratic congressional representative might create up to two competitive districts for Democrats in future elections.

Democratic State Representative Spencer Wetmore criticized the move as “cynical politics focused more on winning for a narrow group than on helping all people,” adding: “Daddy Trump calls and needs to grasp at some power, and once again we jump.”

South Carolina’s primary elections are set for June 9, with early voting beginning in three weeks.