If you’re feeling a bit dizzy trying to keep up with the latest developments in South Carolina’s legislature, you’re not alone. The ongoing saga concerning the Republican-led efforts to redraw the state’s congressional districts has been a whirlwind, particularly for those trying to keep track over the Memorial Day weekend.
Let me bring you up to speed: my colleague from our sister site, Townhall, Matt Vespa, provided a timely update last Friday. Vespa highlighted the urgency of the situation, noting that early voting in South Carolina was set to begin on May 26. This looming deadline added pressure to resolve the redistricting issue swiftly.
As discussions unfolded on social media platforms like X, many spectators were left wondering throughout Saturday: Was the bill passed? Did the Republicans succeed in securing an additional district? And what about State Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, whose opposition seemed poised to disrupt the process?
Adding to the chatter, Justin Evans from the political consulting firm Big Dog Strategies shared insights on X. He acknowledged the “noise” surrounding the redistricting efforts and offered a comprehensive explanation of the situation. Although lengthy, his analysis provides a straightforward and informative perspective that is well worth exploring.
Regardless, the State House approved it, the South Carolina State Senate Judiciary Committee authorized it, and now it’s up to the Senate to pass it. It failed a key motion vote today, where essentially their version of the 60-vote threshold, Rule 15b on cloture, was rejected by these traitors.
South Carolina State Senate Rejects Vote to Speed Redistricting Fight
Final Vote:
🟢 Yes: 15
🔴 No: 25GOP No Votes:
🔴 Rex Rice (Pickens)
🔴 Shane Massey (Edgefield)
🔴 Sean Bennett (Dorchester)
🔴 Chip Campsen (Charleston)
🔴 Tom Davis (Beaufort)
🔴 Greg Hembree (Horry) pic.twitter.com/RbVocxH5t0— OSZ (@OpenSourceZone) May 22, 2026
South Carolina State Senate Rejects Vote to Speed Redistricting Fight
Final Vote:
🟢 Yes: 15
🔴 No: 25GOP No Votes:
🔴 Rex Rice (Pickens)
🔴 Shane Massey (Edgefield)
🔴 Sean Bennett (Dorchester)
🔴 Chip Campsen (Charleston)
🔴 Tom Davis (Beaufort)
🔴 Greg Hembree (Horry) pic.twitter.com/RbVocxH5t0— OSZ (@OpenSourceZone) May 22, 2026
Vespa noted that early voting in SC begins on May 26, so there’s a ticking clock on getting this fixed.
Up In the air, then, on Saturday are questions for people looking in on X… like: Did they pass the bill? Did Republicans gain a district? What about that state Senate majority leader Massey, who seems hell-bent on gumming up the whole deal by opposing it?
Justin Evans of political consulting firm Big Dog Strategies wrote in an X post on Saturday that he also was hearing “a lot of noise” about the redistricting moves. His clarifying explanation is article-length, readers, but it’s straight-forward and worth the read, I think:
Because there’s a lot of noise about SC redistricting and what happened today, let me clarify.
Today’s vote was second reading, the consequential one, where the real fight happens. But it isn’t the finish line.
The bill still needs third reading. After the procedural time… pic.twitter.com/pUCtWwYMtj
— Justin Evans (@SCJustinEvans) May 23, 2026
Because there’s a lot of noise about SC redistricting and what happened today, let me clarify.
Today’s vote was second reading, the consequential one, where the real fight happens. But it isn’t the finish line.
The bill still needs third reading. After the procedural time… pic.twitter.com/pUCtWwYMtj
— Justin Evans (@SCJustinEvans) May 23, 2026
He wrote:
Because there’s a lot of noise about SC redistricting and what happened today, let me clarify.
Today’s vote was second reading, the consequential one, where the real fight happens. But it isn’t the finish line.
The bill still needs third reading. After the procedural time allotted for speeches, amendments, and debate (redistricting bills are treated differently under the rules), the Senate takes a final vote to give it third reading. As long as it stays unamended, it then goes straight to the Governor for signature. No trip back to the House.
Earliest the Governor could receive it is sometime Wednesday, assuming no procedural hiccups and assuming every senator who supports redistricting keeps showing up and voting, every single day.
That last part matters more than anything. Attendance is crucial. These votes are won and lost by who’s in the chamber. One empty seat, one amendment that forces it back across the building, and the timeline slips.
We are close. Keep it clean. Keep showing up.
Pass the bill.
Indeed, pass it! I read this post’s contents as good news for Republicans, Certainly, things are in a better place than they were just a day ago.
The coming days will tell the tale, and we’ll bring you updates as we learn of them. Hang tight, Palmetto State!
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