COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- South Carolina senators have rejected a plan to add a new minority district to the Senate and instead have approved a plan that reduces black voter influence in a district.
A Senate Judiciary panel unanimously approved a Senate redistricting plan Wednesday that did not use a proposal by the American Civil Liberties Union to add a new black majority district and protect an existing black majority district.
Election districts are redrawn every 10 years to account for population growth and shifts. South Carolina's plans require federal approval after past voting rights violations.
The full Judiciary Committee plans to discuss the proposal for its 46 seats Thursday. The House approved plans for its 124 seats Monday.
The Legislature comes back to work next week to debate the plans.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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