DOJ Approves SC Congressional Map | News

On Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice sent notice that the South Carolina Congressional Map had received preclearance.  This notice of approval included the addition of South Carolina’s newly added 7th Congressional District.

This is the second South Carolina map to receive the necessary approval from the Justice Department – earlier this month, the map for State House Districts received its preclearance. 

House Speaker Bobby Harrell issued the following statement about the Congressional Map’s approval:

“This is great news for all the citizens of our state who will now have an even stronger presence in Congress with the addition of South Carolina’s new 7th Congressional District.  With this approval from the U.S. Department of Justice, South Carolina’s Congressional lines are now set and every South Carolinian will be guaranteed a voice in Washington.

“We put a tremendous amount of work and careful consideration into this once-a-decade map drawing process.  As more and more people realize that South Carolina is a great place to live, work and raise a family, the ensuing population boom our state has experienced over the past ten years presented lawmakers with several challenges.  Based on new census data and extensive public input, lawmakers did their best to make sure our seven districts represented not only their unique regions but our state as a whole.

“The approval of the State House Map and now the Congressional Map speaks volumes about how well thought out and fair this process was.  I’d like to thank everybody involved in this redistricting process for all their hard work – especially House Judiciary Chairman Jim Harrison, the House Judiciary Committee, Senate Judiciary Committee, our incredible staff and the many citizens of our state who took the time and effort to give valuable input to lawmakers.”