Moore signs redistricting amendment bill

Salisbury, Md. – Governor Wes Moore signed legislation on Wednesday that, if ratified by voters, would allow Maryland’s congressional districts to be redrawn outside of the usual 10-year period.

Legislators passed the measure Tuesday night to clarify how congressional districts are drawn. Detractors of the legislation have said it is intended to oust the sole Republican congressional representative. Meanwhile, proponents have said it would bolster voter representation.

During remarks, Moore said the legislation was in response to GOP-led states redrawing their maps to remove minority majority districts.

“I do continue to believe strongly and vocally that our country needs national redistricting reform,” Moore said during remarks ahead of the signing ceremony. “That it doesn’t matter who is in power, that we must make sure that we can have national redistricting reform where Congress needs to do its job and stop allowing these types of power grabs that we have seen started months ago happen.”

Moore was joined by Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk. Ferguson said the legislation comes on the heels of Tennessee, Texas, Florida, Louisiana, Alabama and North Carolina redrawing their districts to “eliminate and eradicate majority minority districts.”

“The world has changed. And in order to get to peace, you have to enter from a position of strength. Fundamentally, that is what this constitutional amendment is about,” Ferguson said. “It gives Maryland options on sound legal footing to make sure that we can change the direction that we are headed in this country around redistricting.”

Republicans have said they will challenge the measure through the court system.