Maryland court rules redistricting measure cannot go on November ballot

Key Points:

• A Maryland judge ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment allowing Democrats to redraw congressional districts cannot appear on the November 2026 ballot, though the ruling is paused pending an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
• The amendment aimed to bypass a 2022 court ruling by limiting the constitutional requirement for compact districts to state legislative districts, enabling the redrawing of congressional districts that cross the Chesapeake Bay, potentially affecting Republican Rep. Andy Harris's district.
• The judge found that lawmakers missed the July 1 deadline for certifying ballot summaries and used misleading language in the amendment, which also violated the single-issue rule by including a provision about the state Supreme Court's jurisdiction in redistricting lawsuits.
• This ruling is part of a broader national struggle, with Democrats seeking to counter Republican-led redistricting efforts ahead of the 2024 elections, similar to recent legal challenges in Virginia and efforts in California and Utah.
• Republicans aim to gain up to 16 House seats through new districts in several states, while Democrats hope to increase their representation through redistricting in states like California and Maryland.