Maryland lawmakers have approved a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow voters to decide whether to clarify the state’s rules governing congressional redistricting.
The measure passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a 96-38 vote and cleared the Senate 32-13. It will now be sent to Governor Wes Moore for his signature before appearing on the November ballot. Lawmakers had to approve the proposal before Wednesday’s deadline to qualify it for this year’s election.
Reacting to the development, Governor Moore said the amendment is intended to ensure that Maryland residents, rather than outside political interests, determine how they are represented.
“For over a year, I’ve warned that Donald Trump and Republicans across the country are working to rig the system and weaken voting rights. Today, the Maryland General Assembly took action to pass a constitutional amendment that, if ratified by voters in November, will ensure that Marylanders – and no one else – have the final say over their representation,” Moore said.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries also praised the move, thanking Moore and Democratic lawmakers for backing the proposal.
“Together, we will ensure it’s the American people who decide our country’s future direction in November. Not Donald Trump,” he wrote.
If approved by voters, the amendment would clarify that restrictions established by a 2022 court ruling apply only to state legislative districts and not to congressional boundaries. It would also allow the General Assembly to grant the Maryland Supreme Court original jurisdiction over challenges to congressional redistricting plans.
Supporters say the proposal does not redraw congressional districts but simply establishes a clearer legal framework for future redistricting efforts.
Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk stressed that the amendment would not affect the upcoming elections.
“This legislation does not draw congressional districts. It does not change a single line on a map. And it does not affect the upcoming 2026 election,” she said.
“It simply clarifies Maryland law and gives voters the opportunity to decide whether our Constitution should provide the same legal framework available to other states as they confront the realities of congressional redistricting.”
Democrats currently hold seven of Maryland’s eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, some party leaders have explored options that could further strengthen their position as disputes over congressional maps continue across the country.
Republican lawmakers opposed the amendment but were unable to stop its passage due to Democratic majorities in both legislative chambers.
The proposal follows an earlier attempt by Maryland Democrats to redraw congressional boundaries, an effort that passed the House but stalled in the Senate despite support from national Democratic leaders.
The debate comes amid a broader national battle over congressional district maps, with both Democratic- and Republican-led states pursuing redistricting strategies ahead of the midterm elections. Democrats need to gain three seats to regain control of the U.S. House, increasing the political significance of redistricting efforts nationwide.
