Maryland Legislature Passes Constitutional Amendment to Clarify Congressional Redistricting Rules
The Maryland General Assembly passed a constitutional amendment on Tuesday to clarify the standards for future congressional redistricting. The move aims to resolve legal uncertainty caused by a 2022 court ruling that required congressional districts to be compact and follow natural boundaries, a standard previously reserved for state legislative districts. If approved by voters in November, the amendment will exempt congressional districts from these specific requirements, allowing lawmakers to redraw boundaries more freely. Democratic leaders, including Senate President Bill Ferguson, supported the move to provide future flexibility, while Republicans expressed concern that the Democrats are laying the groundwork to eliminate the state's only Republican-held congressional seat. Governor Wes Moore supported the bill, noting that the administration's national redistricting efforts by Republicans have made it necessary for Maryland to act. While the amendment does not change current maps for the 2026 election, it ensures that future maps for the 2028 cycle and beyond will be governed by the new constitutional language.