Photo Courtesy of Ulysses Muñoz
/The Baltimore Banner
Maryland lawmakers may consider a special session this summer to address congressional redistricting, following renewed national attention on mid-decade map changes and recent court decisions affecting the federal Voting Rights Act. Senate President Bill Ferguson has indicated that conversations are underway among Senate Democrats about the state’s options, including the possibility of advancing a constitutional amendment related to Maryland’s redistricting process.
The discussion comes after several states have moved, or attempted to move, forward with new congressional maps ahead of the 2026 elections. In Maryland, previous efforts to redraw the state’s congressional map have raised legal questions, particularly following a 2021 ruling that found a proposed map invalid under provisions of the Maryland Constitution related to compactness, adjoining territory, population, and respect for natural boundaries and political subdivisions.
Senate President Ferguson has stated that any effort to redraw Maryland’s congressional map must first address the constitutional issues identified in that prior litigation. One option under consideration is a constitutional amendment that would clarify how Article III, Section 4 of the Maryland Constitution applies to congressional districts. If lawmakers pursue that approach, the General Assembly would need to act in time for the proposed amendment to be placed before voters on the November ballot.
Governor Wes Moore has expressed support for moving forward on redistricting discussions and has encouraged consideration of a new congressional map. The Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission previously reviewed potential options and recommended a map that would have changed Maryland’s current congressional district configuration. While there are differing views on timing and process, state leaders have indicated that discussions are continuing.
Any special session would need to be called by Governor Moore, unless a majority of both the House of Delegates and Senate petition for one. If convened, lawmakers would likely focus on whether to advance a constitutional amendment and how any future redistricting proposal should balance legal requirements, voter approval, minority representation, and Maryland’s position within the broader national redistricting debate.
Maryland Senate Democrats will convene to discuss redistricting special session | WYPR
A special session to talk about redistricting in Maryland? Sen. Ferguson says maybe
