MD’s controversial proposed redistricting map thrown out, what are the next steps
MARYLAND – Maryland leaders are working against the clock to figure out the redistricting of Maryland. Judge Lynne Battaglia threw out the map on Friday, March 26th, ruling it was unconstitutional.
State leaders tell 47 ABC the map looked gerrymandered which has been an ongoing concern with previous maps. “There has been a desire for years to have as neutral a body as possible to do the redistricting,” says Senator Addie Eckardt. She adds, “Because you put people of like thinking in one place and then in another place you put another people of different thinking and that creates that kind of tension.”
Senator Eckardt says gerrymandering when it comes to redistricting can have consequences that can affect everyone throughout the state. “All the republicans together, putting all the democrats together so that the party in power has a distinct advantage in voting.” Senator Eckardt adds, “It disenfranchises voters and disenfranchises both parties actually and it becomes, I think a detriment to candidates running for office and wanting to be involved.”
Speaker of the house, Adrienne Jones released a joint statement saying there has been a new map drawn in response to the ruling. “Once a new map is submitted, it would go back to the same judge who threw the earlier map out and rule again about whether she thinks that new map is consistent with the state constitution,” says Delegate Vaughn Stewart.
Although the legislature is currently controlled by democrats, some democratic delegates like Delegate Stewart say they see this as another setback that needs an immediate resolution. “Everyone is hoping this is resolved as quickly as possible because we’ve got an election to do in July and nobody wants to see the election push back further again.”
Senator Eckardt also says she’s been a part of three redistricting’s and each time she wants the map to focus on not alienating any constituents. Meanwhile, Speaker Jones also says in the joint statement, they worked to ensure the re-drawn map reflects the new requirements set by the judge.
The new congressional map will be introduced and heard tomorrow at 8:30 a.m., which meets the judge’s March 30th deadline, and it’s expected to be on the Governor’s desk sometime this week.
