Politics
Maryland Supreme Court allows congressional redistricting amendment on November ballot
The state's top court reversed lower rulings blocking the measure but ordered officials to revise the ballot language.
The short version
- The Maryland Supreme Court ruled that a proposed constitutional amendment regarding congressional redistricting must appear on the November ballot.
- The amendment would limit requirements for compact boundaries exclusively to state legislative districts, potentially allowing lawmakers to redraw congressional maps in future cycles.
- The ruling overturned lower court decisions that blocked the referendum over procedural deadlines, though the court ordered the ballot summary wording to be rewritten before the vote.
Key facts
- Maryland's Supreme Court reversed two lower court rulings that had blocked a Democratic-backed congressional redistricting amendment from reaching the November ballot.[Associated Press]
- The proposed constitutional amendment restricts existing requirements for compact districts and natural boundaries solely to state legislative districts rather than congressional seats.[Associated Press]
- The court directed election authorities to rewrite the ballot summary wording shown to voters after agreeing with challenges that the original phrasing was misleading.[Associated Press]
- The court rejected Republican arguments alleging that the amendment breached the state constitution's single-subject requirement.[Associated Press]
- Democrats currently hold seven of Maryland's eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, with Republican Representative Andy Harris holding the remaining seat.[Associated Press]
What remains uncertain
- The final revised wording of the ballot summary ordered by the state Supreme Court has not yet been specified.[Associated Press]
- Whether Maryland voters will approve the constitutional amendment in November remains unknown.[Associated Press]