Judge Blocks Dems Redistricting Referendum Barred From MD Ballots

The redistricting fight traces partly to a major 2022 court battle over Maryland’s congressional boundaries.

Judge Lynne Battaglia struck down a congressional map adopted in 2021 after applying Maryland constitutional language requiring districts to be compact and contiguous while respecting political and geographic boundaries.

Although the ruling did not establish binding statewide precedent and no one appealed it, lawmakers subsequently approved a replacement congressional map.

That map favors Democrats in seven of Maryland’s eight congressional districts rather than all eight, as the earlier proposal would have done.

HB 2100 was designed to clarify that those state constitutional standards apply to General Assembly districts rather than congressional districts, potentially removing an important legal obstacle to future congressional redistricting.

Republicans see the matter very differently, portraying the proposal as an attempt to weaken constitutional protections so Democrats can pursue an 8-0 congressional advantage and eliminate Harris’ seat.

The timing now creates another challenge for state election officials.

Maryland faces an Aug. 31 deadline to certify roughly 1,200 different ballot configurations for the Nov. 3 election.

State Election Administrator Jared DeMarinis said before Wednesday’s ruling that officials needed rapid clarity so ballots could be finalized and mail-in voting preparations could proceed.

Wednesday’s ruling provides an immediate victory for Republicans, but the legal fight is far from finished.