COLUMBIA -The state Senate gave key approval Wednesday to a new district plan that would give Horry County more clout.

The plan moves the majority of a Charleston-based district into southern Horry County, increasing the likelihood of electing a third resident senator, from that district.

The district is represented by Sen. Arthur Ravenel, R-Mount Pleasant.

The Senate voted 39-6, with all four area senators in favor, for second reading of the plan. It replaces one imposed by the federal court last year after then-Gov. Jim Hodges vetoed the plan the Senate adopted.

Ravenel said Wednesday he is not inclined to seek re-election and is pleased that the redrawn district gives Georgetown County a chance to elect a resident senator, even though it does not have as many voters in the district as Horry.

"An aggressive candidate from Georgetown County could win it," he said.

Third reading of the new plan will come too late to make today's deadline for moving a bill to the House, but supporters are confident the House will accept the bill with the two-thirds vote that is required after the deadline.

House Minority Leader James Smith, D-Columbia, said he will oppose taking the bill up this year.

But Sen. Glenn McConnell, R-Charleston, said he expects the House will abide by the unwritten rule that neither side interferes with reapportionment of the other side.

"He needs to be looking at what's good for the people," McConnell said.

The bill fixes many split precincts, which will make it easier for voters to follow campaigns and for election officials to manage the polls.

He said he doesn't think Smith will get a third of the House to hold up the bill.

"I think it is significant that you got that large and that bipartisan a vote in this Senate," and that vote will influence the House, McConnell said.

Reapportionment is a bill that must be passed by both sides and signed by the governor.

Rep. Tracy Edge, R-North Myrtle Beach, said he is interested in the possibility of increasing Horry County's influence in the Senate, but he wants to study the new maps.

"If I don't think it's in the best interest of Horry County, I'll vote against it," he said.

If the bill is delayed until next year, that makes it possible that Senate elections would be delayed because the new maps must be cleared by the U.S. Justice Department for compliance with the Voting Rights Act.