South Carolina State Senate
Below you'll find my alternative to the South Carolina State Senate district map. My version creates more appropriate districts by keeping together communities of interest, as well as by unpacking Black voters from certain districts. There were a few instances in which the actual boundaries couldn't match up using DRA, however, these discrepancies aren't large enough to have a significant impact. The district numbering keeps to the previous numbering as closely as possible.
Upstate 1-14
There are only a few areas of Democratic strength in this heavily Republican region. Democrats currently hold the 7th, 10th, and 11th districts. The 7th is a D+12, Black opportunity district based in the Greenville metro area, the 10th is an R+7 district based out of the Greenwood metro area, and the 11th is an R+7 district based in the Spartanburg metro area. My version, of course, makes some improvements. The 7th moves to D+8, but maintains a significant enough Black voting bloc to elect a Black senator. The 10th moves to R+10, trading part of Saluda County for all of Abbeville, Greenwood, and McCormick counties. The 11th loses territory in the northern part of Spartanburg County for Spartanburg proper and surrounding communities. It's Black VAP increases to 34% from 28%, giving the district a D+4 PVI. This is clearly a more appropriate district than the cracking that is evident on the actual map. The remaining districts in the region are solidly Republican.
Midlands 15-27, 35, 39, 40
As you can see, my version has more shapely districts. My version also has more Black opportunity districts and more overall competitiveness. In York County, the Rock Hill based 15th district's PVI changes from R+12 to R+3, creating a new competitive district. The 17th also changes drastically, from a D+3 district with a significant Black VAP, to an R+19 district entirely in York County. The 39th and 40th districts remain mostly Black districts while splitting fewer counties.
Looking in more closely at the Columbia metro area, the 19th is unpacks Black voters in my version, bringing its total Black population down from 66% to 51%. This allows the 20th to absorb a significant chunk from the 19th, changing it into a Black opportunity district. The 20th's Black population more than doubles from 20% on the actual map, to nearly 50% on my map. The district's PVI changes from R+3 to D+15. The 21st is still capable of electing a Black senator, although its Black population decreases a bit. It's PVI moves from D+25 to D+15 district. The 22nd undergoes a lot of geographical change and moves a bit to the left since it sees an increase in its Black voting bloc. Both the total Black population and Black VAP increase by about 9%, changing the districts PVI from D+5 to D+8. The 26th, which is held by a Democrat, is mostly changed. It's a competitive Lexington-Richland district, in an area that's starting to trend towards the left. Still, without the longtime Democratic incumbent, Republicans would be favored to win the district. Finally, the 35th changes into a Sumter County based district, in a sense replacing its neighbor the 36th, since i takes in the whole city of Sumter. The district's Black population and Black VAP increase by 12 points, turning the district into a Black opportunity district. Its PVI changes from R+4 D+6. Overall, there are up to 7 districts capable of electing a Black senator in my version.
PeeDee 28-33, 36
As you can see, there are fewer county splits in my version. Districts 29, 30, and 36 remain Black opportunity districts. The 29th now is mostly Black, at 51% of total population, compared to the actual 29th which is plurality Black at 48% of total population. Also, the Black VAP is now at 49% as opposed to a 49% White VAP in the actual district. The 30th district's Black population is unpacked to a still acceptable level from 56% to 51%; its Black VAP decreases by 5 points from 54% to 49%. The 30th is still solidly Democratic at D+8 and gave Obama over 60% of the vote in 2008 and in 2012. Just as my 35th district is the successor to the actual 36th, my 36th district is the successor to the actual 32nd. My district unpacks Black voters bringing the total Black population down from 56% to 53% and the Black VAP from 55% to 51%, while remaining a solidly Democratic district. The remaining districts are solidly Republican, the least of which is the 31st at R+7.
Low Country 34, 37, 38, 41-46
In this region, there are two districts capable of electing a Black senator, while the rest of the districts lack any semblance of competitiveness. My version has two districts drawn to elect Black senators, the 42nd and 45th, but introduces a few new competitive districts. My 37th turns into an R+6 district from an R+13 district that barely voted for McCain by in 2008 and was still close in 2012. My 41st, now entirely in Charleston County, moves left from R+7 to D+1, giving Obama 53% in 2008 and 51% in 2012. My 43rd changes from R+8 to R+4 having given 51% of the vote to Obama in 2008, but flipped in 2012 giving Romney 52% of the vote. The remaining districts are solidly Republican.
The current South Carolina State Senate district plan displays many weirdly contorted districts. However, my version makes it clear that the district boundaries can be drawn to better respect political boundaries. Of course, better looking district boundaries don't necessarily indicate a better map. It's most important that districts allow for appropriate representation. My version has at most 13 districts capable of electing a Black senator. Also, while there are 6 districts in both versions that either Obama or Romney carried by less than 10 points, my version has 15 Obama districts, compared to 13 on the actual map. Thanks for reading.
The maps were created using Dave’s Redistricting App: gardow.com/…
The charts and data were assembled using spreadsheets via Stephen Wolf’s guide:www.dailykos.com/…
The Statistical Atlas was used to match the district numbering and to determine Education levels for district 56: statisticalatlas.com/…
Google Images aided in determining the regional breakdown
Links to the Georgia Maps
Alternative Districts: Georgia State Senate
Alternative Districts: Georgia State House of Representatives