On Wednesday, July 8, House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson jointly announced that the Maryland General Assembly will convene for a special session August 3rd through 5th to consider placing a constitutional amendment regarding congressional redistricting on the November ballot. This marks a significant reversal for Ferguson, who earlier this year refused to allow a Senate vote on the House-passed redistricting map that would have eliminated the state’s sole Republican-held congressional seat. Ferguson said this time the approach is different: “After recent court decisions weakened the federal Voting Rights Act and created new uncertainty around congressional redistricting, Maryland needs a clear legal path forward.”
The special session will debate a proposed ballot question to establish redistricting standards in the state constitution. If approved by a three-fifths vote in both chambers, the referendum will appear on the November ballot. The announcement did not provide details on the specific language of the ballot question. If voters approve the amendment in November, a new map could take effect for 2028.
Find us on:
