Maryland could go through redistricting at the General Assembly

MARYLAND., – Governor Wes Moore is hoping to make a Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission gather input and recommend changes to congressional maps. This is in hopes of fairer representation before the 2026 election.

Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes was chosen to be on the committee, and explains. “I will serve on the new committee, and that committee will be tackling redistricting, elections, and labor.”

The General Assembly will hold the ultimate power to pass the potential reworked maps. The discourse revolves around timing and the need for redistricting for mid-cycle.

Republican Senator Mary Beth Carozza expresses her opinion on what redistricting could look like.

“I’m encouraged that Senate President Bill Ferguson opposes moving forward with redistricting. So the top Democrat leader in the Senate is taking a position to the opposition of the Governor’s office. That is very significant.”

Redistricting has already happened in states like California via Proposition 50. In Texas, some Republicans hoped to add five GOP-friendly seats. They pushed for redistricting, and the move was backed by President Donald Trump.

Delegate Sample-Hughes opposes the idea. “If you are wanting to talk specifically about this redistricting plan and making change in D.C., I’m not in favor of it. I think we need to realize our state is comprised of different parties.”

However, Republican Senator Johnny Mautz is of a different opinion. He claims that the state has been at a disadvantage because of the current congressional mapping.

“I have a whole theory on redistricting, years ago, Maryland’s legislative districts were changed, and we lost a lot of votes on the Eastern Shore; we need more Delegates and need more Senators.”

He cites that there is a disparity between the densely populated Western Shore vs. the rural Eastern Shore.

“When the eastern shore votes unanimously against something, and it passes overwhelmingly, that is a problem, and it’s not the way it is supposed to be,” said Sen. Mautz.

Mautz tells WMDT, they need to have a discussion on democracy, the constitution, the balance of power, and equity among voting authority.