South Carolina Republican state lawmakers must be allowed to implement their congressional map for this year’s elections, a federal three-judge panel ruled Thursday, as the Supreme Court mulls whether the design is a racial gerrymander.
The reinstated map bolsters the GOP tilt of Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-S.C.) district, aiding Republicans in holding onto the seat in their quest to regain control of the House in November.
The state lawmakers are actively appealing the three-judge panel’s previous decision invalidating their map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. But the Supreme Court has not yet issued its decision, despite a request to rule by Jan. 1 because of the fast-approaching election.
Because of the delay, the three-judge District Court panel agreed Thursday to the lawmakers’ request to reinstate their map for this year’s elections only. The lawmakers noted the candidate filing period is scheduled to close April 1, with ballots scheduled to be sent out within weeks.
“Having found that Congressional District No. 1 constitutes an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, the Court fully recognizes that ‘it would be the unusual case in which a court would be justified in not taking appropriate action to insure that no further elections are conducted under an invalid plan,’” the panel wrote in its five-page ruling.
“But 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 ruling continued.
