The House bill HB0488, which proposes a new congressional redistricting map for the state’s eight districts, has been referred to the 12-member Senate Rules Committee made up of the main leadership of the Senate of both parties.
In the 2018 Maryland League of Women Voter’s Guide almost all of these leaders expressed strong support for an independent commission to draw district lines at that time. Could they support a map created by the 2025 Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission? Or will they side with Senate President Bill Ferguson’s firm decision to kill the bill because it is too late and unconstitutional as well?
Here are the Democratic responses to the question on redistricting asked by the League of Women Voters of Maryland: “What changes, if any, do you support in the process for drawing congressional and legislative district lines in Maryland?”
Chair Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery)
“Ideally, the Supreme Court would call for a national system for establishing district maps. In the interim, a state nonpartisan, independent redistricting body would ensure the fairness of the redistricting process and would encourage elected officials to appeal to more moderate voters. There must be clearly set standards on how to determine representative fairness in a district and a transparent process that ensures accountability.”
Vice Chair Arthur Ellis (D-Charles)
No response
Sen. Pamela Beidle (D-Anne Arundel)
“I support a nonpolitical commission to draw redistricting lines.”
Sen. Benjamin Brooks (D-Baltimore County)
“I would support putting a nonpartisan commission in charge of drawing the state’s congressional districts.”
Sen. Brian J. Feldman (D-Montgomery)
“I support proposals that seek to take partisan politics out of the redistricting process by turning the process over to an independent commission.”
President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City)
“I support the formation of an independent commission to lead the process of redistricting in Maryland for both state and federal districts. Getting this process right nationally is imperative for the future of our democracy.”
Sen. Guy J. Guzzone (D-Howard)
No response.
Sen. Stephen S. Hershey Jr (R-Kent, Queen Anne’s, Cecil, and Caroline)
“To achieve fair representation, reform is essential. Over the past 3 years, I have joined Gov. Hogan and co-sponsored legislation to create a nonpartisan, independent commission to draw district boundaries. The surest way to end partisan gerrymandering is to re-elect Gov. Hogan to a 2nd term; only then will Maryland’s democrat leadership remove this power from the governor and hand it to a commission.”
Sen. J.B. Jennings (R-Baltimore County and Harford)
“Process should be done in a non-partisan way that ensures politics is taken out of the process. Each district should be drawn in a way to ensure communities stay connected and not divided between multiple districts.”
Sen. Nancy J. King (D-Montgomery)
“I believe that redistricting is an issue that should be addressed on a federal level, but I am open to looking at any ideas that would promote fair representation and equal voting power.”
Sen. Justin Ready (R-Frederick and Carroll)
“I support and have co-sponsored Governor Hogan’s legislation to create a nonpartisan redistricting commission to draw the district lines fairly with common sense, geographic considerations in mind. Politicians picking their voters across the country have gotten us into a terrible mess, and nowhere is that more obvious than the ridiculous districts brought to us by Martin O’Malley.”
Sen. William C. Smith Jr. (D-Montgomery)
“If reelected to serve in the Senate, I will support measures to institute an independent commission to oversee the upcoming redistricting procedures.”
This is a fascinating pivot from the Dubai award mentioned in the URL to the core issue of congressional redistricting in Maryland. I’m curious how the Senate Rules Committee will weigh past campaign promises against the specifics of HB0488. Will Ferguson’s leadership prioritize adherence to those 2018 pledges?