Special Session – Congressional Redistricting Map
Posted by Susan Aumann in General, Legislative UpdatesDear Constituents,
The Governor called the Senate and the House of Delegate into Special Session to review and vote on his Congressional Redistricting map. A national census is performed every ten years counting the number of residents in the State. Maryland, like all states, must draw new congressional districts and State Legislative districts based on the principle of one-person; one-vote.
This is a political process, but this map is drawn in such an absurd way, it defies logic. Many district configurations were presented to the members of the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee over the past few months. Membership included the Chair, Jean D. Hitchcock, Secretary of Appointments; Thomas Mike Miller, Jr., Senate President; Michael E. Busch, Speaker of the House; James King, former House Member and Richard Stewart, President and CEO, Montgomery Mechanical Services, Inc. The Committee held public hearings around the state and the common message heard at these meetings was, “keep our community together.” Over 200 people attended the meeting in Baltimore County.
Under the new map, Baltimore County will be split into pieces among four different Congressional Districts, even though our population is large enough to support one all by itself. The lines separating these areas are nonsensical and appear like four colors of paint splattered on a blank canvas. None of the boundaries take into account the cohesion of our neighborhoods and communities.
The Governor’s map was the only one truly considered and the majority was persuaded to vote for it or likely face consequences in the upcoming legislative redistricting. The new plan maintains two black-majority districts and targets a veteran Republican House member by splitting western Maryland into three different Districts. Of note, the League of Women Voters vigorously opposed the proposed lines.
The Minority Floor Leader presented an alternative plan that would create three majority-minority districts, including a district basically comprising all communities inside the Baltimore beltway, including the city. The amendment called for the Districts to be contiguous, compact, and follow natural borders. It failed by a vote of 96 to 41. Other amendments were presented that offered contiguous districts and provided equitable representation to everyone; they also were voted down.
I believe that the Governor’s map will end up in the court system, but it remains to be seen whether the arguments will be sufficient to overcome the well-entrenched establishment.
Very truly yours,
Delegate Susan L.M. Aumann
District 42, Baltimore County
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