Maryland Voters Approve Congressional Redistricting Amendment

Maryland voters approved Ballot Question 3 on November 3, 2026, passing a constitutional amendment that allows the state legislature to redraw congressional maps before the 2028 elections. The measure removes state constitutional requirements regarding natural boundaries, equal population, and compactness for congressional redistricting.

Governor Wes Moore and national Democrats championed the effort as a response to Republican-led mid-decade redistricting in states such as Florida and Texas. The amendment creates a path for Democrats to potentially eliminate the state's only Republican-held House seat, currently held by Representative Andy Harris. Former President Barack Obama supported the measure in a campaign video, framing the vote as a way to stop a Republican power grab.

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson initially resisted the proposal due to potential legal risks. However, he shifted his position and supported the measure following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that enabled Republican map changes in other states. The vote follows a national trend of partisan redistricting, with nine states enacting new maps since 2025, though similar efforts in Virginia and Missouri were blocked by courts.