Maryland’s chaotic election season continues after an Anne Arundel County Senior Judge declared the map approved by the State Legislature “an extreme partisan gerrymander.” In her ruling, Judge Lynne A. Battaglia became the first jurist in the history of the state to reject a congressional map. In her decision, she stated the map violated the state’s constitution which guarantees compact districts and regard to political subdivisions. She also felt the proposed map created roadblocks to equal protection, free speech, and free elections.
The now enjoined map passed both houses of the state legislature in December. It proved controversial from the start. Governor Hogan vetoed it in the first week it was on his desk. But the state legislature voted to override his veto shortly thereafter, making the new map law.
Today’s decision is widely considered a victory for Republicans. The judgment raised objections from Democrats who declared the redistricting plan not “extreme”. And in their interpretation of the state constitution, they find no restrictions to political considerations when drawing congressional district lines.
But Battaglia has prohibited its use in the now July primary and the November general elections. She ordered the General Assembly to redraw the map by next Wednesday, March 30. Normally the map gets drawn in a period of several weeks.
In the meantime, the Maryland Office of the Attorney General must decide whether to appeal Battaglia’s ruling.
The outcome could have political implications nationally as well where Democrats hold a slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.
— Jeff Barker (@sunjeffbarker) March 25, 2022
