Hogan Signs New Congressional Districts After Gerrymandering Case Prompts Map Redraw

MARYLAND — Gov. Larry Hogan (R) on Monday signed Maryland's new congressional election districts into law.

This followed a court case claiming the proposed map favored Democrats. Judge Lynne Battaglia ultimately agreed and threw out the proposal, ordering Maryland lawmakers to come up with a map that is fair to both parties.

Democrats then drew new Congressional boundaries, but they still planned to appeal the judge's decision. Hogan okayed the new map after the defendants withdrew that appeal. The governor thinks the districts still aren't perfect, but he believes they are a step in the right direction.

"It’s a tremendous victory for democracy and for free and fair elections in Maryland," Hogan said at a press conference after the bill-signing ceremony. “Gerrymandering is a cancer on our democracy, regardless of which party does it.”

What Is Gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the act of drawing election districts that are clearly designed to help one party.

This illegal process can clump voters from the minority party into a few sprawling districts, so it only wins a few seats. It can also divide those voters across several regions, making it harder for the minority party to win any elections at all. A final gerrymandering tactic is drawing a minority party's district to include a small-but-dense slice of land that supports the majority party.

The GOP argued that Maryland Democrats used that last tool to hurt their chances in the state's only Republican-held congressional district.

Maryland's lone congressional Republican is U.S. Rep. Andy Harris. He represents the state's First District, which encompasses the entire Eastern Shore and much of Northern Maryland.

The proposed map would have included a sliver of Anne Arundel County in this district. By jumping over the Chesapeake Bay into a more Democratic area, the previous map would have made the First District more competitive for liberal candidates.

Republicans said this showed that Democrats were ignoring natural and political borders to swipe an extra seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. The judge ruled this an example of "extreme partisan gerrymandering," Maryland Matters reported.

The new map still leans Democratic, but the First District will maintain its Republican stronghold.

“We are pleased Governor Hogan has agreed to sign the proposed congressional redistricting map approved by the General Assembly," Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh (D) said in a press release. "This map, like the one previously passed by the General Assembly, is Constitutional and fair. Both sides have agreed to dismiss their appeals, and our state can move forward to the primary election.”

Why Is Maryland Redistricting?

Maryland draws new election districts every 10 years after the U.S. Census. The intended purpose of this redistricting is to make minor changes to account for shifts in demographics and populations.

Districts must be compact, meaning they follow logical geographic boundaries. They must also follow one continuous strip of the state, and they need to have roughly the same population.

After the Census, the Maryland General Assembly drew its maps for congressional and state government districts. Hogan vetoed the congressional map, instead suggesting districts created by the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission. This is a bipartisan panel that he convened.

The governor's maps eventually failed, and the legislature overrode his veto of the congressional districts.

Hogan could not veto the legislative map, however. Nonpartisan election website Ballotpedia said state law only grants the governor veto power over the Congressional districts. That meant the controversial legislative map was adopted.

What About The Legislative Districts?

Republicans also challenged these districts and filed four court petitions opposing the legislative map. Special Magistrate Alan Wilner, a retired Court of Appeals judge, was appointed to hear the evidence and make a recommendation to the court before its ruling.

Wilner filed his report Monday, suggesting that the court dismiss every case against the legislative districts. A state court will consider his findings before making a final ruling. If the court sides with Wilner, the legislative map will stand.

Given these legal battles, the courts announced last month that they will postpone Maryland's primary by three weeks. The primary election was scheduled for Tuesday, June 28. It is now slated for Tuesday, July 19.

What District Am I In?

Marylanders can see their updated congressional and legislative districts at this link.

RELATED:

• Court Of Appeals Upholds Legislative Map Passed By General Assembly
• Hogan Signs Congressional Districts After Gerrymandering Court Battle
• Judge Throws Out MD Redistricting Map: What's Next?
• MD Primary Election Date Changed, Gerrymandering Suits Continue

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