Gov. Hogan vetoes Congressional Map, says he will continue fighting for fair maps and districts

ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the Legislature’s Congressional map on Thursday.

Governor Hogan said, “The congressional map drawn in back rooms by party bosses in Annapolis makes a mockery of our democracy, and it is an embarrassment to all that our state stands for. On behalf of all the people of Maryland who value fairness and integrity in our elections and in our political system, I am vetoing these disgracefully gerrymandered, illegal maps, which are a shameful violation of state and federal law.

On Monday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it is suing Texas over its new redistricting plan, alleging violations of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Hogan has called on the Biden Administration to add the State of Maryland to that lawsuit immediately.

Also in Thursday’s press conference, the governor urged the legislature to reverse course and take immediate action on emergency crime legislation, including the Violent Firearms Offender Act, which significantly toughens penalties for offenders who use and illegally possess firearms and those who illegally supply firearms to criminals, and the Judicial Transparency Act, which would require the Maryland State Commission on Criminal Sentencing Policy to publish detailed information on the sentences that are handed down by judges for violent crimes.