<div class="css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn" data-testid="companionColumn-0"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">Gov. Henry McMaster of South Carolina, a Republican, plans to call the state legislature back for a special session that will be focused on redrawing the state’s congressional maps, lawmakers said on Wednesday evening. The effort could eliminate the state’s sole Democratic district, held by Representative James E. Clyburn.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">Mr. McMaster’s decision came one day after <a class="css-yywogo" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/12/us/south-carolina-redistricting-midterm-elections.html" title="">five Republican state senators voted with Democrats</a> to block a resolution that would have brought the legislature back to the State Capitol to consider redistricting.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">That vote had seemed to close the door on the matter. Republican lawmakers had considered an agreement to extend their session only when it became clear that Mr. McMaster would not immediately call a special session himself.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">But Mr. McMaster, who cannot seek re-election because of term limits, now appears willing to thrust South Carolina into the redistricting battles that have reached fever intensity, particularly in the South, ever since <a class="css-yywogo" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/29/us/politics/supreme-court-voting-rights-act.html" title="">the Supreme Court dealt a blow to the Voting Rights Act</a> last month.</p></div><aside aria-label="companion column" class="css-ew4tgv"></aside></div><div data-testid="Dropzone-1"></div><div class="css-s99gbd StoryBodyCompanionColumn" data-testid="companionColumn-1"><div class="css-53u6y8"><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">President Trump has been clear about his wish for a G.O.P. sweep of all seven of South Carolina’s congressional districts, pressing Republican officials to draw new district maps before the midterm elections.</p><p class="css-ac37hb evys1bk0">Mr. McMaster’s office declined to comment on Wednesday. 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