Lawsuit Seeks to Halt Maryland Redistricting Amendment

A lawsuit filed in Maryland aims to block a redistricting amendment, supported by Democrat Governor Wes Moore, from appearing on the November ballot. The suit argues that state officials advanced the measure after the deadline for certifying ballot questions had already lapsed, according to the state’s legislative analysts.

The complaint, submitted in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court by the conservative group Oversight Project, contends that House Bill 2100 (HB 2100) is legally barred from reaching voters. Maryland’s July 1 deadline for certifying statewide ballot questions had passed over a month before lawmakers convened a special session to approve the proposal.

According to the Oversight Project, alongside Republican lawmakers, approving the amendment could result in an entirely Democratic congressional delegation. HB 2100 seeks to amend the Maryland Constitution so that standards regarding compactness and boundaries no longer apply to congressional districts.

The Oversight Project claims its mission is to “expose and root out corruption in government and among elected officials to ensure power resides with the American People.”

The lawsuit notes that a Department of Legislative Services fiscal note recognized that the new statutory deadline for certification had already expired. The fiscal note and election officials specified that the full amendment text must be publicly posted at least 90 days before Election Day.

Lawmakers allegedly added a phrase to HB 2100 exempting it from existing law less than an hour before a joint committee hearing. Plaintiffs argue this language aimed to bypass Maryland’s certification and public-comment requirements after those deadlines had expired.

The complaint asserts that Democratic sponsors understated the amendment as “technical” in the House. Senate debates showed that lawmakers were aware the statutory timeline could not be adhered to.

“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,” stated Democratic state Sen. Cheryl Kagan during the debate, according to the complaint.

Maryland GOP Delegate Matt Morgan, a plaintiff, criticized the amendment’s rushed introduction. “They have the law. They’re supposed to follow it. They didn’t,” Morgan stated. “And now we’re going to take it to court and see what the judges have to say about it.” He mentioned that Democratic leadership later termed the amendment “technical” on the House floor.

Republican Delegate Kathy Szeliga, also a plaintiff, noted the limited time legislators had to review the revised language. The public had no time for input. “The public got absolutely no time to look and weigh in on the amended language,” Szeliga said. “So it just reeks of a naked political, partisan power grab on the Democrats’ behalf.”

The proposal aims to counter the impact of a 2022 state court ruling, which upheld constitutional standards for congressional redistricting. Currently, Democrats hold seven of eight U.S. House seats in Maryland.

Governor Moore defended the amendment, suggesting it counteracts Republican-led redistricting in other states. He claimed it would ensure that “Marylanders — and no one else — have the final say over their representation.”

The lawsuit requests the court to prevent certification, distribution, or tabulation of votes on the amendment and seeks expedited review due to the imminent election schedule.

Representatives from Moore’s office, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office, and the Maryland State Board of Elections had not provided comments at the time of reporting.

Jasmine Baehr of Fox News Digital contributed to the coverage, focusing on politics, military, and legal debates on life, family policy, faith, and culture.