Federal court reinstates South Carolina's congressional maps for 2024

A three-judge panel of a federal district court on Thursday permitted the state to use a slate of congressional maps in the 2024 elections while the Supreme Court weighs a gerrymandering challenge.

The slate has faced legal scrutiny and the panel previously declared the maps to be unconstitutional by virtue of a racial gerrymander, though the Supreme Court has not ruled on case, according to The Hill. The deadline for military and overseas absentee ballots is April 27, however, and in light of the deadline, the panel granted Republicans' requests to approve the slate for just the 2024 elections.

"The present circumstances make it plainly impractical for the Court to adopt a remedial plan for Congressional District No. 1 in advance of the military and overseas absentee ballot deadline of April 27, 2024 mandated under federal law and the party primaries scheduled for June 11, 2024," the panel wrote. "Having found that Congressional District No. 1 constitutes an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, the Court fully recognizes that 'it would be the unusual case in which a court would be justified in not taking appropriate action to insure that no further elections are conducted under an invalid plan.'"

"But with the primary election procedures rapidly approaching, the appeal before the Supreme Court still pending, and no remedial plan in place, the ideal must bend to the practical. The Court hereby exercises its authority under Rule 62( d) to modify its injunction to preserve the status quo on appeal," it concluded.

The decision is expected to prove a boon to South Carolina GOP Rep. Nancy Mace, whose district became more Republican-leaning under the legislature-approved slate. Mace represents the state's 1st Congressional District, which includes the southern half of the state's Atlantic coastline.

Mace was first elected to the seat in 2020.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.