Maryland’s top court allows Democratic-backed congressional redistricting measure on November ballot
Summary
Maryland’s Supreme Court has decided that a redistricting amendment supported by Democrats must appear on the November ballot. This decision reverses earlier court rulings that blocked the amendment and could allow Democrats to redraw congressional districts in a way that might help them win more seats in future elections.Key Facts
- Maryland voters will decide on a congressional redistricting amendment in the November election.
- The Maryland Supreme Court overturned previous lower court decisions that prevented the amendment from going on the ballot.
- The court asked for the ballot summary to be rewritten before final approval.
- The amendment is supported by Democrats aiming to counter Republican redistricting efforts linked to President Donald Trump.
- If passed, the amendment could let lawmakers redraw districts differently for elections after 2024, possibly affecting the 2028 elections.
- The amendment would remove a 2022 court rule requiring districts to be compact and respect natural boundaries for congressional districts but keep those rules for state legislative districts.
- This change may allow districts to cross features such as the Chesapeake Bay, impacting the district of Maryland’s only Republican representative, Andy Harris.
- There was a legal dispute over missed deadlines for certifying the ballot question, but the Supreme Court ruled those deadlines did not apply to this constitutional amendment.
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