SC Senate advances redistricting bill H.5683 on a 27-17 second reading

The South Carolina Senate passed the second reading of H.5683 on a 27-17 vote on May 21, 2026, advancing the redistricting bill toward final passage. Seven Republicans joined all ten Democrats in opposing the measure, signaling growing bipartisan resistance within the chamber. Senate President Pro Tem Thomas Alexander pushed the bill through over objections that the timeline prevented adequate public hearings on maps affecting millions of voters.