Maryland will convene a special session on redistricting next month, part of nationwide Democratic retaliation against recent Republican gerrymandering across the South.
Read more U.S. launches ‘powerful strikes’ against Iran, citing attacks on commercial ships
It’s too late to redistrict for this fall’s midterms, when new Republican-leaning districts will be used in the South, some carved from Black-majority districts after the Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act.
But Democrats want to even the playing field for 2028.
Maryland Democratic legislative leaders have proposed a constitutional amendment for November’s ballot that would erase legal hurdles to drawing gerrymandered maps in time for 2028. An 8-0 map in Maryland would oust the state’s only Republican in Congress, Rep. Andy Harris, chair of the House Freedom Caucus.
Last month, New York lawmakers similarly took the first step to redraw 2028 districts. And House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) is looking at eight more states to join Democratic-led redistricting for 2028.
Read more Maine voters, once loyal to Platner, abandon him after sexual assault allegation
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) initially refused to redistrict for 2026, citing legal concerns, but reversed course after the Supreme Court ruling and a tough primary challenge.
Catch up quickly every weekday morning with a rundown of the 7 most important and interesting stories. Sign up for The 7 newsletter.
Read more Judge blocks DOJ effort to obtain info on 2020 election workers in Georgia
