Voters would decide whether Maryland changes how districts are drawn

Each legislative district would be divided into three single-member delegate districts, with one delegate elected from each district. The rule would apply to Maryland legislative districts for the House of Delegates. District maps would have to respect natural and local government boundaries when practical, include nearby population areas, and reflect communities of common interest. Mapmakers could not use voter registration, past voting, political party, or any individual’s residence, including a candidate’s or incumbent’s residence. These rules would apply after the constitutional amendment is ratified and the Governor issues the required proclamation; the commission would draw maps in the year after each federal census.

An independent 10-member commission would draw and certify legislative and congressional district plans. The commission would include legislative leaders and appointed members, with membership intended to reflect Maryland’s geographic, racial, and gender makeup. The commission would hold public hearings, accept written comments, publish maps and supporting reports, and provide public access to redistricting data and mapping software. Appointed members would face political activity, employment, lobbying, and public-office restrictions, and commission actions would require at least seven affirmative votes. The General Assembly would consider the commission’s plans, generally requiring a three-fifths vote in each house; implementation would require available budget funding. The commission would convene by March 1, 2031, and by March 1 in each later year ending in 1; it would approve plans by October 1 of those years.

The Supreme Court of Maryland could review enacted maps and would draw a plan if the commission or General Assembly failed to produce one under the proposed process. Any registered Maryland voter could challenge an enacted legislative or congressional plan for violating the Maryland or United States Constitution or state or federal law. The court would hold a hearing before ordering relief and could approve, change, or replace a commission plan. The commission would petition the court when it failed to adopt a plan or when no plan was enacted, and would represent the State in related proceedings. The Attorney General would no longer handle these specified redistricting proceedings for the State. The court’s role would begin after the constitutional amendment takes effect and would apply when a plan is not adopted, is not enacted, or is challenged by a registered voter.