Maryland lawmakers ask voters to clear the way for a congressional map designed to boost Democrats
The measure passed 96-38 in the House and 32-13 in the Senate, giving voters a say on future congressional map changes.
- On Tuesday, Maryland lawmakers passed a redistricting amendment during a special session, with the House voting 96-38 and Senate 32-13 to place the question on November's ballot for voter approval.
- Maryland Democrats argued the legislative push acts as a defensive measure against Republican-led states pursuing similar redistricting efforts. House Speaker Joseline Melnyk stated the bill "simply clarifies Maryland law and gives voters the opportunity to decide."
- Del Mark Fisher criticized the measure as "rigging elections" rather than balancing the Constitution, while Del Chris Adams warned the legislation exacerbates regional divides, stating it leads to "apathy, voter rejection of the process, and that's dangerous."
- An amendment introduced by Del Tom Hutchinson proposed a ballot question on whether the nine Eastern Shore counties should secede, reflecting deep regional tensions over representation.
- The bill does not redraw lines immediately but establishes that "nothing in the Maryland Constitution provides applicable criteria for the boundaries of a congressional districting plan," granting lawmakers significant leeway for future redistricting.
31 Articles
31 Articles
Moore signs redistricting amendment bill
Salisbury, Md. – Governor Wes Moore signed legislation on Wednesday that, if ratified by voters, would allow Maryland’s congressional districts to be redrawn outside of the usual 10-year period. Legislators passed the measure Tuesday night to clarify how congressional districts are drawn. Detractors of the legislation have said it is intended to oust the sole Republican congressional representative. Meanwhile, proponents...
Maryland voters to weigh in on redrawing state’s congressional map
Maryland voters will weigh in on an amendment to the state constitution this fall that would allow for congressional redistricting before the 2028 elections. Democratic Gov. Wes Moore held a signing ceremony for the proposed amendment Wednesday, a day after the state’s Democratic-controlled legislature approved it in a special session. Moore’s signature was not required […]
Maryland Ballot Question Could Open Door to All-Democrat Map
Maryland lawmakers passed House Bill 2100 on Aug. 4, sending a ballot question to voters in November that would amend the state constitution to say it sets no rules for how congressional districts are drawn. The bill was introduced in response to a court ruling in 2022 that threw out a Democrat-drawn map expected to give the party all eight of Maryland’s congressional seats. Without the state’s previous restrictions on congressional mapmaking, …
Maryland Democrats’ plan to box out lone Republican in Congress moves closer to reality
Maryland crept closer to eliminating the state's lone Republican congressional representative after the Democratic-controlled Legislature voted to put the redistricting question on the ballot in this fall's general election.
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