Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) said Wednesday he wants to see new congressional maps for Maryland after the General Assembly convenes in January and that he is ‘ready to engage’ with lawmakers on the subject of redistricting. The remarks came as part of the governor’s victory lap Wednesday, the day after ‘historic’ wins by Democrats in elections nationwide and Maryland voters’ approval of Question 3, which loosens restrictions on redistricting in the state.
Moore invested significant political capital on the question, which passed with 60% of the vote just weeks after polls showed that voters were skeptical. ‘Two weeks ago, everybody said that Question 3 was done,’ Moore told reporters outside of Mount Vernon’s Ceremony Coffee Roasters, the day after his reelection. ‘I am very proud to say that, in a loud and resounding fashion, Question 3 passed in Maryland, and we made sure that Maryland could help to meet the moment.’
Meeting the moment, to Moore, should come in the form of new maps that would give Democrats the advantage in all eight of the state’s congressional districts come 2028 – in response to the GOP-led effort to draw district lines in its favor leading up to Tuesday’s midterms. Republicans currently hold just one of those eight seats, the 1st District where eight-term GOP Rep. Andy Harris was reelected Wednesday.
Moore told reporters Wednesday that he wants to see lawmakers move forward with new congressional maps after the passage of Maryland’s redistricting-focused Question 3. ‘Donald Trump is not done. He has already been very clear about his intention to go after additional states,’ Moore said. ‘The courts have spoken, the people of Maryland have spoken, and it is time to make sure that Maryland does meet this moment.’
Legislative leaders Wednesday welcomed the passage of Question 3 and said they look forward to working with the governor on redistricting. But it did not appear to be on the top of anyone’s list of priorities. House Majority Leader Del. David Moon (D-Montgomery) said he believes the legislature should take up other, more pressing, issues first in January, especially given that new congressional maps couldn’t be used until 2028 anyway. ‘It would be, I think, a big misread to make mapmaking the first priority of the legislature,’ Moon said. ‘The first priority of the legislature is going to be work on the top concern of Marylanders and that continues to be healthcare access and affordability.’
Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Prince George’s and Anne Arundel), who campaigned for Question 3, was noncommittal Wednesday, saying through a spokesperson she was ‘very pleased that the voters had their say and approved Question 3.’ ‘Question 3 does not require new maps to be drawn but ensures Maryland is on even ground with other states moving forward,’ the spokesperson said. ‘We welcome the opportunity to continue conversations with the Governor and the Senate President to determine the best approach for our state. The House has met this moment before and we will be ready again when it’s necessary.’
Question 3 clarifies that requirements for electoral districts that are compact and contiguous apply only to General Assembly districts, after a 2022 court decision said those restrictions should apply to congressional districts as well. It also states that the neither the state constitution nor the Declaration of Rights govern congressional redistricting, and grants the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction to review the state’s redistricting plans.
