Story perspectives

Bill Ferguson Reverses, $8.8 M Floods Maryland Primary, Redistricting Vote Planned

6/17/2026

Summary

Story summary

Outside groups have poured $8.8 million into the Democratic primary for Maryland’s open 5th District seat.
Maryland Democratic leaders will hold a mid-July special session to vote on a constitutional amendment putting congressional redistricting on the November ballot.
Senate President Bill Ferguson reversed his opposition to gerrymandering after a Supreme Court ruling weakened a Voting Rights Act provision.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling struck down the Voting Rights Act’s preclearance formula, ending federal oversight of state redistricting. That decision spurred state-level reforms, such as Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson’s 2024 push for a constitutional amendment to create an independent map-drawing commission. The effort follows a line of Supreme Court cases—Shaw v. Reno (1993) and Miller v. Johnson (1995)—that defined racial-gerrymandering standards.

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Story summary

Outside groups have poured $8.8 million into the Democratic primary for Maryland’s open 5th District seat.
Maryland Democratic leaders will hold a mid-July special session to vote on a constitutional amendment putting congressional redistricting on the November ballot.
Senate President Bill Ferguson reversed his opposition to gerrymandering after a Supreme Court ruling weakened a Voting Rights Act provision.

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