Governor Henry McMaster (R-SC) called a special legislative session to redraw South Carolina's congressional maps on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 [1].

The move is critical because the redistricting process could eliminate the state's only Democratic House district, currently held by Rep. James E. Clyburn (D-SC) [3].

Lawmakers are scheduled to reconvene at the State Capitol in Columbia on May 15, 2026 [2]. This action follows the rejection of a prior bipartisan plan by Republican state senators. The governor's call for a special session comes as a last-minute effort to finalize boundaries before the 2026 midterm elections [4].

While some reports indicate the session is focused solely on redistricting, other accounts suggest that legislators will also discuss the state budget. The timing of the session has seen slight variations in reporting, with some sources citing a Thursday start and others confirming the May 15 date [2].

Rep. Clyburn represents the state's single Democratic congressional district [3]. The potential elimination of this seat would shift the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives by reducing Democratic representation from South Carolina. The special session aims to resolve these map disputes through legislative action rather than prolonged court battles.

“The redistricting process could eliminate the state's only Democratic House district.”

This special session represents a high-stakes political maneuver to solidify Republican control over South Carolina's congressional delegation. By targeting the state's sole Democratic district, the GOP aims to maximize its seat count before the 2026 midterms, potentially neutralizing the influence of one of the Democratic Party's most senior leaders in the House.