Maryland Lawmakers Call Special Session on Redistricting Amendment

Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson introduced HB2100/SB2100, a proposed constitutional amendment to change congressional redistricting rules. The measure would clarify that requirements for compact districts apply only to General Assembly seats, not congressional districts, and would grant the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction over congressional districting cases. This follows a 2022 court ruling that struck down a Democratic-leaning map for partisan gerrymandering.

Democratic leaders scheduled a three-day special session from August 3 to 5 to address the proposal. If passed by a three-fifths vote in both chambers, the amendment will appear on the November 2026 general election ballot. Supporters, including Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, argue the change is necessary to protect voter representation and counter mid-decade redistricting efforts by the Trump administration following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais.

Republican lawmakers condemned the effort as a partisan attempt to eliminate the state's only Republican congressional seat. Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey and House Minority Leader Jason Buckel criticized the special session's guidelines, which limit public testimony to 50 pre-registered participants. Republicans have characterized the process as legislative malpractice and threatened lawsuits if the measure passes.