Pancakes & Policy: March 1st
Hot off the griddle! Welcome to Pancakes & Policy, Be The Ones’ new weekly newsletter - your Saturday morning dose of democracy. Quick, digestible, and stacked with what you need to know about what's happening in the South Carolina State House.
📌 Want to dive deeper into our priorities and plans? Read more here
Grab a fork, let's dig in.🍴
📣 Pancakes & Policy: What We’re Watching at the State House: 2026
🗳 PRIMARY ELECTION PROPOSSALS
There has been continued back-and-forth around proposals to close South Carolina’s primaries (get caught up on January’s coverage from us here). Much of the conversation has centered around internal party debates about priorities, process, and strategy. While no bills have moved out of committee yet, the discussion itself signals how high the stakes feel as we head toward important state and local elections.
We remain engaged and ready. Changes to our primary system would fundamentally reshape how voters participate in elections, and we’re committed to ensuring that voter access and administrative realities stay at the center of the conversation — not partisan talking points.
👉 Want to learn more about primaries, the history and importance of Open Primaries, watch this conversation we hosted in March 2024 David Thornburgh (Chair, Ballot PA), Jeremy Gruber (Senior Vice President, Open Primaries), and Dariel Cruz Rodriguez (Co-Founder, Students For Open Primaries & Organizer).
📅 MID-CYCLE REDISTRICTING CONVERSATIONS
We’re also tracking conversations around potential mid-cycle redistricting. Last week, H.4717 received its first hearing. The bill proposes reshaping South Carolina’s 6th Congressional District, with supporters arguing it would “improve Republican competitiveness in the district.” Critics contend the proposal would dilute Black voting strength.
The push to redraw the 6th District comes amid broader national efforts to revisit congressional maps ahead of November’s midterm elections. While movement on this bill is unlikely this session, the conversation itself is significant.
Redistricting and gerrymandering directly shape representation, accountability, and political power. Even when proposals stall, these moments matter. They give us an opportunity to better understand how districts are drawn, who benefits from map changes, and how communities can advocate for fair and representative processes.
🎤 WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING TO OUR ELECTIONS? (hint: they aren’t cancelled)
Federal conversations around the SAVE Act and various executive orders are taking up a lot of space - in headlines and in people’s minds. We’re hearing confusion and concern from community members across the state.
That’s exactly why we’re hosting Our Elections Are Not Cancelled on Thursday, March 19th - a virtual reality check and action hour designed to break down:
Who actually runs our elections, what powers they do (and don’t) have, what is and isn’t legally possible, and where your energy is most effective
While DC dominates the news cycle, state-level decisions and local advocacy remain deeply consequential. In many cases, that’s where your attention matters most.
👋 BUILDING ADVOCACY SKILLS ACROSS SC
One thing this moment has made clear: people want tools. They want to understand the legislative process. They want to know how to testify, how a bill moves, how committees work, and how to advocate effectively.
That’s why we’re thrilled to share that we’re expanding our training offerings this year — including:
Legislative Process 101
Advocacy & Testimony Workshops
Redistricting & Gerrymandering Education
Civic Engagement & Power-Building Trainings
And more!
If your organization, campus, faith community, or coalition is interested in partnering with us on a training or workshop, we’d love to collaborate.
📍 WHY IT MATTERS
When national news feels overwhelming, it’s easy to feel disconnected or powerless. But the truth is this: local engagement matters—deeply. South Carolinians have real power at the local and state level, and it needs our attention.
Be The Ones will continue showing up, tracking these bills, testifying when it counts, and breaking things down in plain language so more people can engage with confidence.
👉 If you want to plug in, learn more, or build your advocacy skills, we offer trainings, guides, and resources to help you do just that. Email our Advocay & Community Organizing Director, Dylan Gunnels to learn more and let’s chat: dylan@betheones.org
Be The Ones is a nonpartisan grassroots organization building healthier communities, a more equitable democracy, and expanding power by removing barriers to local civic participation across the South Carolina.
