A judge in Maryland’s capital city has blocked a proposed constitutional amendment from the November ballot that Democrats had advanced through a special legislative session. The ruling determined that state lawmakers violated deadlines they themselves had established for certifying ballot measure summaries, according to the judge’s decision.
The amendment would have modified the state constitution to exempt congressional districts from requirements that they be compact and account for natural boundaries—provisions that currently apply to all electoral districts. Supporters of the measure argued such changes would enable the redrawing of congressional boundaries. A prior Democratic redistricting plan had been struck down by courts in 2022. Democratic Governor Wes Moore had convened the special legislative session in August with the stated objective of facilitating Democratic gains in the state’s congressional representation, where the party currently holds seven of eight seats.
Judge Robert Thompson found that lawmakers had violated a July 1 deadline for the secretary of state to certify summaries of statewide ballot questions. State officials had argued the deadline did not apply because lawmakers had written their own ballot summary using constitutional authority, but the judge rejected this interpretation. Thompson also determined the ballot language was “intentionally misleading” in characterizing the amendment as a mere clarification of constitutional standards. Additionally, the judge ruled the measure violated a single-issue requirement by including a separate provision granting the state Supreme Court original jurisdiction in congressional redistricting lawsuits.
Democratic House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk stated the legislature remained confident in its authority and believed voters should have the final say. The state has already filed a notice of appeal to the Maryland Supreme Court. Opponents of the redistricting plan, represented by groups including the conservative Oversight Project, characterized the ruling as a major victory in their efforts to block the amendment.
Maryland’s situation mirrors recent developments in Virginia, where the state Supreme Court also invalidated a redistricting ballot measure due to procedural violations. Both states have sought to pursue mid-decade redistricting following California’s voter-approved amendment allowing such changes. Republicans and Democrats have increasingly pursued congressional redistricting outside the traditional decennial cycle following Trump’s encouragement of GOP-led states to redraw districts.
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