Story perspectives

Maryland Debates Constitutional Map-Drawing Amendment, Needs Supermajority

8/4/2026

Summary

Story summary

Maryland lawmakers will begin debate on a constitutional amendment allowing Democrats broader latitude in drawing congressional maps.
The amendment requires a three-fifths supermajority in both chambers before appearing on a November 3 voter referendum.
If approved, it would let the legislature ignore the compact-district and natural-boundary rules a 2022 court struck down.
Democrats hold seven of Maryland’s eight U.S. House seats, with Governor Wes Moore saying voters should decide amendment’s fate.

History

Historical Context

After the Supreme Court’s 1962 Baker v. Carr decision—issued in a 6-2 vote and authored by Justice William J. Brennan—declared legislative apportionment justiciable and created the “one-person-one-vote” rule, states across the 1960s redrew maps, including Maryland’s 1972 addition of ten districts. Today, Governor Wes Moore and legislators cite that precedent while seeking to overturn Maryland’s 2022 compact-district requirement.

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Story summary

Maryland lawmakers will begin debate on a constitutional amendment allowing Democrats broader latitude in drawing congressional maps.
The amendment requires a three-fifths supermajority in both chambers before appearing on a November 3 voter referendum.
If approved, it would let the legislature ignore the compact-district and natural-boundary rules a 2022 court struck down.
Democrats hold seven of Maryland’s eight U.S. House seats, with Governor Wes Moore saying voters should decide amendment’s fate.

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