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Maryland House Rejects Floor Amendment to Apply Legislative Redistricting Standards to Congressional Maps
Summary
Delegates debated whether Article 3, Section 4 standards for legislative districts should also govern congressional lines; proponents called the proposed change a fix for partisan gerrymanders while opponents argued the 1972 ballot and precedent exclude Congress. A roll call produced 39 negative votes; a separate desk amendment was laid over for one day.
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland House of Delegates on Jan. 28 debated a floor amendment to House Bill 488 that would explicitly apply the state's legislative redistricting standards — including compactness and respect for municipal and county boundaries — to congressional districts.
The amendment's proponent argued the change would prevent what they described as “extreme partisan gerrymandering” and would align congressional-district rules with those the General Assembly already follows for legislative districts. “If you vote for the amendment, you fix that,” the proponent said. “If you don't, tell your constituents rules don't matter.”
Supporters repeatedly cited a 2019 trial-court decision by Judge Lynn Battaglia and the role of…
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