Maryland Court of Appeals orders state redistricting map constitutional
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (7News) — The Maryland Court of Appeals ordered the state’s legislative district map as constitutional Wednesday.
The legal challenge to the way the Maryland Democrats have drawn the state’s legislative districts landed in the state’s highest court again.
RELATED | Gerrymandering on trial in Maryland as political parties argue the redistricting map
A judge heard arguments on Republican claims that the state senate and delegate districts were drawn by the Democratic majority in the legislature specifically to keep Democrats in power -- a practice called gerrymandering -- a similar challenge to Congressional Districts succeeded and resulted in a new congressional map.
READ MORE | Md. Court of Appeals throws out Prince George's County Council redistricting map
Potentially at stake is the Democratic supermajority in the legislature. The court is expected to rule quickly in hopes of avoiding another delay of the primary election date, currently scheduled for July 19.
Fair Maps Maryland issued the following statement after the judge's ruling:
“Maryland history will not remember this day kindly.
"The idea that the same toxic process that produced the unconstitutional congressional map also produced a constitutional legislative map is inconceivable. Laughable actually.
"The leadership of the Maryland General Assembly is guilty of extreme gerrymandering and blatant voter suppression. They and they alone are responsible for disenfranchising millions of Maryland voters.”
