{"id":2626262,"date":"2026-07-07T18:32:02","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T22:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maryland-to-lay-groundwork-for-redistricting-in-special-session\/"},"modified":"2026-07-07T18:34:11","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T22:34:11","slug":"maryland-to-lay-groundwork-for-redistricting-in-special-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/maryland-to-lay-groundwork-for-redistricting-in-special-session\/","title":{"rendered":"Maryland to lay groundwork for redistricting in special session"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">18<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fmaryland-to-lay-groundwork-for-redistricting-in-special-session%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2626262&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>State legislators in Maryland plan to hold a special session this August to amend the state&#8217;s constitution, aiming to create a clear legal pathway for redistricting following <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/some-hospital-systems-end-vaccine-mandates-after-recent-court-decisions\/\" title=\"Some Hospital Systems End Vaccine Mandates After Recent Court Decisions\">recent court decisions<\/a> that undermined the federal Voting Rights Act. This move is seen as a way for Democrats to <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >possibly redraw district lines mid-decade<\/a>, possibly enhancing their chances in future elections. The proposed change requires a three-fifths majority approval in the Democratic-controlled General Assembly and would then be decided by voters in a November referendum. Maryland Governor Wes Moore has supported the effort, while Republicans have criticized it, claiming it risks unfairly manipulating the political process. The initiative is unlikely to influence the upcoming 2026 midterm elections but could impact the 2028 cycle. The state&#8217;s delegation currently includes only one Republican, rep. andy Harris, who could be targeted by Democrats for gaining an additional congressional seat.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">State legislators will descend on <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maryland\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"49\">Maryland\u2019s<\/a> capital in an August special session to remove a key constitutional hurdle preventing <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/democratic\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"1964\">Democrats<\/a> from picking up a GOP <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/house-of-representatives\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"93\">congressional seat<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Maryland General Assembly, which comprises both the state House of Representatives and Senate, will meet several months after the Supreme Court ruled that the Voting Rights Act does not mandate the creation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-some-democrats-concerned-their-voting-rights-bill-might-be-racist\/\" title=\"Report: Some Democrats Concerned Their \u2018Voting Rights\u2019 Bill Might Be Racist\">majority-minority districts<\/a>. GOP moves in response to eliminate strong Democratic seats, mostly in Southern states, have left Democrats reeling.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4639747\/graham-platner-replacement-democrats-thinking-different-path\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Graham Platner wants to pick his replacement. Democrats are thinking of a different path<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4639595\/the-democrat-adopting-gop-spending-playbook\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Meet the Democrat adopting the GOP\u2019s spending playbook<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/campaigns\/congressional\/4639642\/michigan-el-sayed-defund-the-police-2020-cnn-review\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Michigan\u2019s el Sayed backed defunding the police in 2020 despite denial: Report<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cAfter recent court decisions weakened the federal Voting Rights Act and created new uncertainty around congressional redistricting, Maryland needs a clear legal path forward,\u201d Democratic state Senate President Bill Ferguson <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MikenzieFrost\/status\/2074566708535128384\/photo\/1\">said<\/a> in a joint statement with Democratic state House Speaker Joseline Pe\u00f1a-Melnyk. \u201cThis special session will allow the General Assembly to do its part while ensuring that Maryland voters make the final decision.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-1\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-15\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-1\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The specific language of the proposed change to Maryland\u2019s constitution has not been released. Yet it would almost certainly enable Democrats in the state to make mid-decade changes to district lines, which typically occur after the U.S. census is released every 10 years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Legislators must first pass the proposal by a three-fifths majority in the General Assembly, where Democrats hold a decisive majority. At that point, it would be placed on the November general election ballot for voters to make the final decision. <\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) heralded the legislature\u2019s move on Tuesday. \u201cI appreciate the General Assembly\u2019s continued conversations and the agreement to come back to finish the work,\u201d he <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MikenzieFrost\/status\/2074567146210779322\/photo\/1\">said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-2\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-16\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-2\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maryland Republicans, meanwhile, were less thrilled. The state\u2019s Senate Republican Caucus released a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/MDSenateGOP\/status\/2074571032833232920\/photo\/1\">statement<\/a> decrying what it alleged to be an effort to \u201cgut the state constitution and hand Washington a congressional seat that Maryland voters never gave them.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4613007\/georgia-gop-lawmakers-call-off-redistricting-special-session\/\"><strong>GEORGIA GOP LAWMAKERS CALL OFF REDISTRICTING SPECIAL SESSION<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Maryland\u2019s 10-strong congressional delegation features only one Republican, Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD). Harris, who covers Maryland\u2019s portion of the Delmarva Peninsula, would be a key target for Democrats looking to pick up an additional seat in the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wex-inarticle-ad wex-inarticle-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\">\n<div class=\"wex-ad-wrap wex-ad-art-dsk-inart-3\" style=\"min-height:90px\"><span class=\"wex-ad-label\" hidden>Advertisement<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-3182201-17\" data-wex-ad=\"art-dsk-inart-3\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While Maryland\u2019s special session is too late to have an impact on the state\u2019s 2026 midterm elections, it may sway the outcome in 2028.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Maryland lawmakers to hold August session on redistricting hurdle<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4301,"featured_media":2626263,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP24011709644156.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4837,5894,16985,41627],"class_list":["post-2626262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-maryland","tag-politics","tag-redistricting","tag-special-session"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/AP24011709644156.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4301"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2626262"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2626266,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2626262\/revisions\/2626266"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2626263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2626262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2626262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2626262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}