South Carolina Republicans ask court to allow current maps for 2024 election – Washington Examiner

Republicans in South Carolina are asking a federal court to allow the current congressional map for the state to be used for the November election, as the Supreme Court has yet to rule on their appeal of the decision striking down the maps.

In a motion filed on Thursday seeking a partial stay of the 2023 decision by the U.S. District Court for the District of South Carolina, the state lawmakers argue that because of the upcoming primary deadlines in the Palmetto State, the current map should be used for 2024 — regardless of the Supreme Court’s decision.

The map instituted in 2021 and used in the 2022 elections modified the makeup of the 1st Congressional District to make it more Republican-friendly, looking to shore up Rep. Nancy Mace’s (R-SC) electoral prospects. But opponents argued it was a racial gerrymander, an argument the district court agreed with. No alternative map has been crafted as the Supreme Court has yet to decide on the appeal of the ruling.

“At this date, there is simply no realistic way that a remedial process could be completed in time for the 2024 election cycle, let alone by the March 16 opening of candidate filing, the April 27 commencement of absentee voting, or the June 11 primary election,” the filing argued.

The Supreme Court heard arguments in the case in October, appearing open to the GOP state lawmakers’ argument that the map was not a racial gerrymander and was in accordance with the state constitution. The two sides had requested the court issue its opinion by Jan. 1 to allow for a new map to be instituted, if necessary, but as of Thursday the high court has yet to rule in the case.

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The defendants asked the federal court to rule on its motion by March 14, two days before the period for candidates to file opens in the state.

If the Supreme Court upholds the decision striking down the Palmetto State’s congressional maps, it would likely place Mace in a more difficult general election battle.

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