SC Gov. McMaster Calls Special Session for Budget, Redistricting

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster issued an executive order on Thursday calling lawmakers back to Columbia for a special legislative session starting Friday morning at 11 a.m. The session will address the state budget and congressional redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The move reverses McMaster's earlier reluctance and follows the Republican-led state Senate's rejection on Tuesday of a measure to extend its regular session for redistricting. That vote failed to secure the required two-thirds majority, with five Republican senators joining Democrats in opposition. The regular session is set to adjourn Thursday, clearing the way for the special session, where Republicans would need only a simple majority to approve new maps.

Lawmakers aim to redraw the state's seven congressional districts, currently held 6-1 by Republicans, with the 6th District represented by Democrat Jim Clyburn as the lone holdout. The proposed changes would significantly alter the majority-Black 6th District, redistributing voters into neighboring areas and potentially creating a 7-0 Republican delegation. House Republican leader Davey Hiott said his chamber is prepared to act quickly,...