Maryland lawmakers have passed a constitutional amendment that will allow voters to decide in November whether to redraw the state's congressional district lines. If approved by voters, the measure could shift the balance of Maryland's eight-seat House delegation, potentially giving Democrats complete control over the state's representation in Congress. Currently, Rep. Andy Harris is the only Republican holding a House seat from Maryland.
The legislative action, which passed the House by a 96-38 vote and the Senate by a 34-11 vote, clarifies that specific redistricting parameters, stemming from a 2022 court decision, apply only to state Assembly districts and not to congressional boundaries. The measure also grants the Maryland Supreme Court original jurisdiction to review congressional redistricting plans.
Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk stated that the legislation does not redraw any districts or change existing lines, nor does it impact the upcoming 2026 elections. Instead, she explained, it clarifies state law and offers voters a chance to determine if the state Constitution should adopt a legal framework similar to that used in other states for congressional redistricting. Lawmakers could consider redrawing the map for the 2028 election cycle under the new jurisdictional rules.
During the Senate debate, Republican Stephen Hershey Jr. attempted to delay the bill's introduction, utilizing a procedural rule. This action prompted the Senate to reconvene later in the day to proceed with the vote. Hershey, the Senate minority leader, characterized the move as an effort to make the process uncomfortable for the Democratic majority pushing what he described as a partisan issue. Other Republican lawmakers in Maryland opposed the measure, calling it disrespectful and an attempt to silence their voices, and questioned why legislative energy was not directed towards issues like affordability and taxes.
This development comes amid broader national debates on redistricting. In recent years, several states, including Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Missouri, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Texas, have redrawn maps that have benefited Republicans. Conversely, redistricting efforts in Utah and California have been seen as potentially advantageous for Democrats in several races. In response to national redistricting trends, Maryland Governor Wes Moore established a redistricting advisory committee in November to explore potential map changes for the state. Republican efforts to introduce alternative measures, such as the "Fair Districts for Maryland Act," have faced limited progress due to the strong Democratic majority in the legislature.