South Carolina governor tells state lawmakers to hold special session on redistricting

South Carolina GOP Gov. Henry McMaster called for state legislators Thursday to return to the capital for a special session on redrawing the state's congressional maps as a redistricting effort heats up nationwide. 

The redistricting movement recently picked up pace again after the Supreme Court ruled last month that Louisiana's second majority-black congressional district relied too heavily on race and was therefore an unconstitutional gerrymander. 

McMaster said the special legislative session will take place on Friday morning.

"I have issued an Executive Order calling the General Assembly back for an extra legislative session to address the state budget and congressional districts beginning Friday, May 15, at 11:00 AM," McMaster wrote on X.

The move comes after a handful of Republican South Carolina state senators broke with their party on Tuesday to thwart a redistricting effort that would eliminate the state's sole Democratic district. 

Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp also called for a special session of his state legislature Wednesday to redraw the congressional maps in time for the 2028 presidential election. Voting in Georgia is already underway for the 2026 primaries.

The Georgia General Assembly will meet for their special session on June 17.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.