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Democrats put redistricting amendment on Maryland’s midterm ballot
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Maryland’s Democratic-controlled Legislature approved a constitutional amendment for the November ballot that would allow the elimination of the state’s only Republican-held congressional district before the 2028 election.
- The amendment would exempt congressional redistricting plans from state constitutional requirements such as compactness, equal population, and respect for natural and political boundaries.
- Democratic leaders, including Senate President Bill Ferguson, shifted their stance following a Supreme Court ruling weakening the Voting Rights Act, prompting a special session to address legal concerns.
- Republicans criticized the amendment as an overreach that threatens free elections, equal protection, and freedom of speech, framing it as a partisan power grab.
- The move reflects broader national trends where Republicans have gained advantages through mid-decade redistricting, while Democrats face constitutional and legal challenges in responding effectively before upcoming elections.
