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đŸ“– Read full article→Maryland court rules Democratic-backed redistricting amendment cannot go on November ballot - AP News
Technology and ScienceBy David A. Lieb8/27/20261 min read
A Maryland court has ruled that a redistricting amendment cannot go on the November ballot. Democratic state lawmakers had approved a proposed constitutional amendment earlier this month. If passed by voters, it could pave the way to redraw congressional dist…
✨ Key Highlights
- A Maryland court ruled Wednesday that a Democratic-backed constitutional amendment targeting congressional redistricting cannot appear on the November ballot, though the judge paused his ruling to allow an appeal to the state Supreme Court.
- The proposed amendment sought to sidestep a 2022 court ruling that struck down a prior Democratic redistricting plan by declaring that requirements for compact districts and "natural boundaries" apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional ones.
- Democrats already control seven of Maryland's eight congressional seats, and Gov. Wes Moore called lawmakers into a special session in August with the aim of capturing the final seat held by Republican Rep. Andy Harris, chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
- The change would have permitted lawmakers to draw congressional districts crossing the Chesapeake Bay, reshaping the district east of the bay currently represented by Harris.
- Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Robert Thompson found that lawmakers violated their own procedural deadlines, referencing a law signed by Moore that set a July 1 deadline for the secretary of state to certify ballot question summaries to the Maryland State Board of Elections.
- The decision represents another setback for Democrats' national efforts to counter a Republican redistricting push backed by President Donald Trump ahead of the coming elections, mirroring related battles in states such as Missouri, Florida, and California.
A Maryland court has ruled against a proposed constitutional amendment that could have paved the way for Democrats to redraw the states congressional districts ahead of the 2028 elections.
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