Maryland voters would decide constitutional rules for congressional districts

The constitutional standard for adjoining, compact, and similarly populated districts would apply only to General Assembly districts. The standard would cover districts used to elect members of the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates, not congressional districts. The standard would continue to require attention to natural boundaries and political subdivision boundaries. Voters would consider this change at the November 2026 general election, and it would depend on approval of the constitutional amendment.

The General Assembly could give the Supreme Court of Maryland the first authority to review the state’s congressional districting plan. This authority would concern Maryland’s plan for electing members of Congress. The amendment would authorize the General Assembly to grant this review power; it would not itself grant the court jurisdiction. Voters would consider this authorization at the November 2026 general election, and it would depend on approval of the constitutional amendment.

The Constitution would state that it provides no applicable standards for drawing congressional district boundaries. The provision would apply to Maryland’s congressional districting plan and would not remove requirements imposed by the U.S. Constitution, federal law, or an applicable Maryland statute. The amendment would not set demographic targets or require proportional representation. The provision would not permit discrimination barred by federal law. Voters would consider this provision at the November 2026 general election, and it would depend on approval of the constitutional amendment.