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Maryland Supreme Court Rules Question 3 Redistricting Amendment Can Remain on November Ballot

The Maryland Supreme Court ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment regarding congressional redistricting, known as Question 3, can remain on the November ballot. The court found that the original wording of the amendment was misleading and violated due process rights. To resolve this, the justices ordered the State Board of Elections to replace the existing language with the purpose paragraph from the legislation. This decision partially reverses rulings from circuit courts in Anne Arundel and Dorchester Counties, which had previously ordered the removal of the amendment. The court determined that the General Assembly failed to comply with election law deadlines, making it impossible to meet the original requirements. Governor Wes Moore celebrated the ruling as a victory for the people, stating it ensures Marylanders will have the opportunity to vote on the redistricting issue. Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk also called the decision a victory for voters, noting it provides a clear legal path for future redistricting. While the majority ruled in favor of the amendment, Justice Steven Gould dissented, arguing that the court should have upheld the lower court decisions and that the administration of the ballot language was a legislative responsibility rather than a judicial one.

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