Supreme Court Upholds South Carolina Congressional Map in Disputed Racial Gerrymandering Case

The Supreme Court made a decision on Thursday regarding the South Carolina congressional map, allowing the state to continue using it despite previous claims of racial gerrymandering.

The court’s conservative majority, with a 6-3 vote, sent the case back to a lower court. This decision was seen as a win for Republicans as it enables them to maintain district boundaries that have historically favored the party.

Immediate and Long-term Impact

Although the immediate impact of the ruling is limited due to the timing in relation to this year's elections, it is expected to have significant effects in the future. The majority opinion, authored by Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr., is anticipated to influence redistricting not only in South Carolina but in other states as well. Richard L. Hasen, a law professor at the University of California, Los Angeles, stated that the legal framework introduced by Justice Alito makes it easier for Republican states to engage in redistricting to maximize their political power.