Gerrymander distasteful tactic–women’s group

For centuries, the practice of gerrymandering has been an abhorrent tactic, in the estimation of a group that espouses voting integrity.  And a representative of the Oconee-Pickens League of Women Voters was determined last week to await the arrival from Columbia of the state senator Thomas Alexander.  The LWV’s Janie Shipley awaited Alexander to navigate traffic from Columbia to arrive for the tail end of the annual public meeting of the Oconee Legislative Delegation.  Alexander apologized for his late arrival, but explained that the Senate remained in session until late Thursday afternoon.  Alexander’s House colleague, Bill Sandifer, sympathized with the senator’s predicament.  Sandifer called the traffic volume of last Thursday evening between Columbia and Oconee County one of the worst that he’s experienced in his many years of making the commute to the state capital.  Shipley greeted Alexander with the LWV’s position on re-districting in Charleston County.  The LWV opposes the re-districing plan that would reduce minority voting strength in Charleston, thus reducing the chances for non-white politicians to win seats in the U-S House of Representatives.