South Carolina Redistricting Faces Tight Timeline, GOP Divisions

South Carolina Republican lawmakers pursuing an all-GOP congressional map face two major obstacles in a newly called special session on redistricting—a tight election calendar and lingering resistance from members of their own party.

Gov. Henry McMaster (R) on Thursday ordered lawmakers back to Columbia for a special session starting Friday after President Donald Trump and national Republicans intensified calls for GOP-led states to modify their congressional maps ahead of the November midterm elections.

“It is necessary and appropriate” for the legislature to meet in special session for the purposes of enacting an appropriations measure and “finishing its debate on South ...