Maryland lawmakers are set to convene for a special session next month to discuss a constitutional amendment regarding future congressional redistricting. This decision was announced on Tuesday by legislative leaders, following a previous unsuccessful attempt to redraw the state’s congressional maps in a manner that would favor the Democratic Party.
The upcoming session is part of a broader national debate over partisan redistricting, which has dramatically altered the U.S. House landscape ahead of the midterms this year. In Maryland, the implications of this issue may extend into the 2028 election cycle.
Starting on August 3, the Democratic-majority Maryland General Assembly will gather to consider a proposal that, if approved, would allow voters to decide on a constitutional amendment in the November election. This amendment aims to facilitate the creation of a congressional map that could potentially lead to an 8-0 Democratic advantage, given that Democrats already dominate the state’s U.S. House delegation with a 7-1 majority, the sole Republican being Rep. Andy Harris.
While legislative leaders did not disclose the specific language of the proposed amendment in their announcement, they indicated that it would “clarify” the state constitution in light of a 2022 court ruling that invalidated a previous congressional map designed to make Harris’s district more competitive for Democrats.
If the amendment receives a three-fifths majority vote in both chambers, it will be presented to voters during the November 3 general election. Should it pass, lawmakers could revisit the congressional maps in future election cycles under the new constitutional framework.
“Maryland needs a durable, transparent constitutional framework for congressional redistricting that reflects the evolving legal landscape,” stated House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk. “This special session gives the General Assembly the opportunity to respond thoughtfully to recent court decisions while ensuring that Maryland voters have the final say on any proposed constitutional changes.”
However, Maryland Republicans have criticized the special session as a blatant power grab. Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready expressed concern, stating, “One Republican Congressman represents hundreds of thousands of Marylanders who deserve a voice in Washington. This special session is designed to erase that voice and hand national Democrats another seat in the U.S. House.”
Typically, congressional districts are redrawn once a decade following the census to reflect population shifts. However, recent political dynamics have prompted calls for mid-decade redistricting. Former President Trump previously encouraged Republicans to pursue such strategies to mitigate potential midterm losses, leading Democrats to initiate their own redistricting efforts.
In April, a U.S. Supreme Court ruling weakened provisions of the Voting Rights Act, providing new opportunities for Republicans to reconfigure districts, particularly in Southern states with large minority populations that historically lean Democratic. Reports indicate that Republicans might gain up to 10 additional House seats from these new district maps.
Maryland’s initial attempt at redistricting earlier this year saw the state House approve a map designed to secure Democratic victories across all eight congressional seats. However, this plan was ultimately shelved in the state Senate, where Senate President Bill Ferguson raised concerns about potential judicial pushback.
Democratic Governor Wes Moore has voiced strong support for the renewed redistricting effort, expressing gratitude for lawmakers’ willingness to reconvene to finalize this important work.
