Maryland is up next in our redistricting series. Throughout 2021, we'll delve into the states in detail, spotlighting a different state's redistricting outlook each week. Make sure to read our full redistricting outlook.
Current Delegation: 7D, 1R Projected 2022 Seats: 8 (No change) Redistricting Control: Democratic (Republicans control the governorship, but Democrats hold veto-proof majorities in both legislative chambers)
Current Congressional MapMap credit: Cook Political Report, drawn with Dave's Redistricting App
District-Level Population Analysis Redistricting OutlookThere are some creative maps out there, and then there's Maryland - where Democrats have elevated gerrymandering to an olympic sport. In 2011, they drew a convoluted plan that delivered them a lopsided 7-1 majority. A federal judge described one of the districts Democrats drew in 2011 — Rep. John Sarbanes's 3rd CD — as "reminiscent of a broken-winged pterodactyl, lying prostrate across the center of the state."
In January, GOP Gov. Larry Hogan signed an executive order creating a bipartisan advisory commission to draft "fair" lines. But his reform effort is likely futile: the legislature can, by a three-fifths vote,
Subscribe Today
Our subscribers have first access to individual race pages for each House, Senate and Governors race, which will include race ratings (each race is rated on a seven-point scale) and a narrative analysis pertaining to that race.