Maryland Lawmakers Pass Redistricting Amendment for Nov. 3 Vote, Opening Door to 2028 Map Redraw
Updated
Updated · WBAL TV Baltimore · Aug 4
Maryland Lawmakers Pass Redistricting Amendment for Nov. 3 Vote, Opening Door to 2028 Map Redraw
3 articles · Updated · WBAL TV Baltimore · Aug 4
Summary
96-38 in the House and 32-13 in the Senate, Maryland's General Assembly approved a constitutional amendment referendum Tuesday and sent it to Gov. Wes Moore for a ceremonial signing.
The measure would let voters decide in November whether congressional districts should be governed separately from the compactness and boundary standards now applied to state legislative maps under a 2022 court ruling.
Democrats said the bill changes no current district lines and would not affect the 2026 election, but if voters approve it lawmakers could revisit congressional maps for the 2028 cycle.
Republicans argued the move is laying groundwork to erase Maryland's only GOP-held congressional seat and disenfranchise Eastern Shore voters, while also criticizing the special session's focus and process.
The fight traces back to a 2022 judge's rejection of Maryland's earlier congressional map and to a broader mid-decade redistricting push that both parties say could reshape U.S. House seats.