Every ten years, Maryland redraws its federal, state, and local legislative district maps. This process is meant to ensure that as populations grow and change, every Marylander can have equal representation and equal voice in government.
We’re fighting for fair, transparent, and equitable redistricting at every level — advocating for legislation like the Freedom to Vote Act to help end partisan gerrymandering, bringing Maryland residents to testify at public hearings, and telling our mapmakers the story of communities across Maryland.
Maryland State Legislative and Senate Districts
In Maryland, redistricting is ultimately controlled by the state legislature.
IN THE STATE LEGISLATIVE REDISTRICTING PROCESS, the Governor submits a plan to the state legislature, created with assistance from an advisory committee. The state legislature can choose to adopt or modify these proposals. If the legislature does not pass their own joint resolution within 45 days of the Governor’s proposal, the Governor’s map becomes law.
IN THE CONGRESSIONAL REDISTRICTING PROCESS, the state legislature draws congressional lines as a statute subject to gubernatorial veto.
When partisan politicians control the mapmaking process, we’re especially vulnerable to gerrymandering — which is why it’s so important we push our lawmakers to be transparent and consider public testimony every step of the way.
Mapping Criteria
Mapmakers must prioritize:
- Districts must comply with the provisions of the US Constitution and Voting Rights Act and keep districts reasonably equal in population.
- Keeping communities of interest and political subdivisions whole.
- Compactness
- Maximizing the number of politically competitive districts
Districts may not be drawn:
- To protect one or more incumbents, declared candidates, or political party.
- With intent or effect of denial/abridgement of voting rights or vote dilution because of race or membership in language minority group.
In The Congressional Redistricting Process, the U.S. Census population data is used to determine how many seats each state gets in the U.S. House of Representative. Once our legislators know how many Congressional districts we will have, they redraw district lines to make sure those districts are as equal in population as possible.
They then pass these maps as a bill — it must be approved by the PA House and Senate before going to the governor’s desk, where the governor can approve or veto.
When partisan politicians control the mapmaking process, we’re especially vulnerable to gerrymandering — which is why it’s so important we push our lawmakers to be transparent and consider public testimony every step of the way.
Districts must comply with the provisions of the US Constitution and Voting Rights Act and keep districts reasonably equal in population. In addition, mapmakers must prioritize:
- Keeping communities of interest and political subdivisions whole.
- Compactness
- Maximizing the number of politically competitive districts
Districts may not be drawn:
- To protect one or more incumbents, declared candidates, or political parties.
- With intent or effect of denial/abridgement of voting rights or vote dilution because of race or membership in a language minority group.
Why Redistricting Matters for Maryland
When done fairly, redistricting is a chance for political power to be equitably distributed across different communities, making sure everyone has a seat at the table.
Unfortunately, redistricting has historically been conducted behind closed doors with little to no public input, meaning they don’t have an accurate picture of what our communities look like.
Even worse, when politicians have the power to draw electoral maps, they manipulate district lines to divide or pack together certain populations, keeping themselves and their party in power. It’s called gerrymandering – and it’s a major threat to our democracy.
Key Dates For Maryland 2021 Redistricting
Hearings are held across Maryland. When the legislature receives the federal Census data, they use that and public input to create draft maps. Once these draft maps are released, they hold hearings to get public feedback and revise the maps, before sending a finalized version to the Governor’s desk, who can veto or approve.
The Governor has created an advisory commission to help with this process, which creates state legislative maps that the state legislature can adopt or modify. If the legislature does not pass a joint resolution within 45 days of the commission’s proposal, the Governor’s plan goes into effect.
State and congressional maps are due from the advisory commission by November 14. The legislature has until November 24 to pass the final maps. If they fail to do so, the state Supreme Court must create maps by January 23, 2022.
Maryland Redistricting Resources
Use these resources to learn more about how you can get involved in fighting for fair districts and stopping gerrymandering in Maryland.