Maryland may be late to the mid-decade redistricting push, but Democrats in Annapolis have finally arrived.
Gov. Wes Moore (D) on Wednesday signed off on a proposed constitutional amendment passed by the General Assembly’s Democratic supermajority during a special session this week.
It asks voters this November to loosen redistricting rules, which could help the legislature in 2028 to redraw Maryland’s congressional map to eliminate the state’s lone Republican in the House.
Moore, a potential 2028 presidential contender, has been pushing his state to draw new maps since Republicans launched a national redistricting effort at Trump’s behest last year. Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) refused on principle, but reversed course amid mounting pressure and the toughest primary challenge of his career.
Moore cast his redistricting effort as retaliation for Republican gerrymandering in the Deep South, where Black-majority districts were redrawn after a Supreme Court ruling weakened the Voting Rights Act.
“I am the only Black governor in this country, and I’m seeing how we’re watching a silencing of voices to eliminate our community’s power and Black leadership,” he said. “And I will not listen to the audacity of some who will tell me that I need to sit this one out.”
Republicans promised to fight the referendum in court.
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