A lawsuit in Maryland aims to block a redistricting amendment supported by Governor Wes Moore from appearing on the ballot this November. The legal action claims state officials pushed the amendment forward despite analysts stating the certification deadline for ballot questions had passed.
Filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, the complaint comes from the conservative watchdog group, Oversight Project. It argues that the proposed HB 2100 amendment stands in violation of Maryland’s legal deadline of July 1 for certifying ballot questions. This deadline had expired before lawmakers called a special session to approve the proposal.
The Oversight Project, with Republican lawmakers, fears the amendment could lead to an all-Democratic congressional delegation. The proposal seeks to amend the Maryland Constitution to exclude state constitutional standards on district compactness and boundaries from congressional districts.
“There is no time to comply with the plain language of the law with our new law because July 1st is in the rearview mirror,” state Senator Cheryl Kagan remarked during the floor debate.
The lawsuit details concerns over legislative procedures. Democrats allegedly introduced the phrase “notwithstanding any other provision of law” to HB 2100 moments before a joint committee hearing, intending to bypass Maryland’s certification and comment requirements.
During a House session, Democratic sponsors described the amendment as “technical.” However, Maryland GOP Delegate Matt Morgan, a plaintiff, argued this language was hastily introduced for a noon hearing and criticized Democratic leaders for disregarding statutory deadlines.
Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga, also a plaintiff, contended that the public received no time for input on the amendment’s language, suggesting a partisan motive behind the quick revisions.
The amendment seeks to overturn the effect of a 2022 state court ruling that applied constitutional standards to congressional redistricting, amid Democrats holding seven of Maryland’s eight U.S. House seats.
Governor Moore defends the amendment as a necessary measure against Republican-led redistricting in other states, emphasizing state control over representation.
The lawsuit requests the court to prevent any action by state officials relating to the amendment, with urgency due to upcoming elections. Neither the governor’s office, the Maryland Attorney General, nor the State Board of Elections has responded to requests for comment.
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