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Bill

H 5683

Redistricting, Congressional Districts

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by William Bailey and 25 co-sponsors

Creates seven congressional districts for South Carolina, replacing the old districting framework with a new, population-based seven-district plan.

Roll call Ayes-26 Nays-18
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Bill Summary · H 5683

Summary of Bill H 5683 (2025-2026) – South Carolina Redistricting, Congressional Districts

Purpose and Intent

  • Establishes a new framework for electing members of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina by defining seven congressional districts within the state.
  • Repeals the existing provision that previously dictated the districts from which members were elected, replacing it with a new statutory scheme for district boundaries and representation.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Adds new Section 7-19-35 to the South Carolina Code, creating seven congressional districts and explicitly detailing the composition of Districts 1 through 7.
  • The bill provides a district-by-district allocation that includes population figures and the specific municipalities, counties, and even voting tabulation districts (VTDs) that would comprise each district. The provided text lists extensive granular detail, including:
    • District 1 population and the constituent counties (Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Jasper) and numerous VTDs and blocks.
    • District 2 population and its listed counties (Aiken, Allendale, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Hampton, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland) plus numerous VTDs.
    • District 3 population and constituent counties (Abbeville, Anderson, Edgefield, Greenwood, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Pickens) with detailed VTDs.
    • District 4, 5, 6, and 7 are mentioned in the structure (District 2 total is shown as 731,203; District 3 total as 731,203; District 1 total as 731,204), but the provided excerpt includes detailed breakdowns primarily for Districts 1–3 and partial layouts for others, indicating a comprehensive redistricting map is being proposed.
  • Repeals Section 7-19-45 (the former statutory basis for the districts from which members of the U.S. House of Representatives were formerly elected), effectively removing the prior districting framework in favor of the new seven-district plan.
  • The bill emphasizes population-based districting by presenting district totals and distributing populations across the listed VTDs and blocks, suggesting an intent to align with equal population principles (one person, one vote) and possibly to reflect up-to-date demographic data.

Who Would Be Affected

  • State residents of South Carolina would be represented by seven U.S. House districts, organized as described in the new Section 7-19-35.
  • Local governments and election administrators would be responsible for administering elections according to the new district boundaries, including any required changes to precincts, polling locations, and voter registration data to reflect the seven districts and their internal VTDs/blocks.
  • Political parties, candidates, and voters would participate in elections under the new district configuration, which could alter competitive dynamics and incumbency considerations.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill would become law by amending the state code to create seven distinct congressional districts and repealing the prior districting arrangement (Section 7-19-45).
  • The document provided does not specify a transition timeline or effective date beyond enacting the changes; normally, such redistricting legislation would align with the timing of the next federal or state election cycle, subject to the General Assembly’s legislative process and any required implementation dates.
  • As with any redistricting measure, the bill would likely undergo committee review, potential amendments, and a full floor vote before enactment. Post-enactment, agencies would need to publish the official district maps and guide elections accordingly.

Practical Considerations

  • The bill’s granular listing of VTDs and blocks indicates a highly detailed redistricting plan intended to reflect precise population distribution. This may raise considerations about geographic compactness, community of interest, and alignment with existing political boundaries.
  • Administrative implications include potential changes to voter registration databases, ballot design, and precinct-level logistics to ensure voters are assigned to the correct seven-district framework.

Note: The provided text includes extensive district-by-district population breakdowns and constituent units for District 1 and partial listings for other districts. The summary captures the bill’s core aims and structural changes without reproducing the full granular detail.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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