马里兰州民主党占多数的众议院周二以96-38的多数票通过了一项决议，支持在11月选举中让选民投票表决一份新的国会选区地图[1]。该地图的设计旨在帮助民主党在该州全部8个众议院席位中获胜[1]。根据现行情况，民主党已经占据该州8个众议院席位中的7个[1]。
这份修正案要成为选票内容，还需获得州参议院的批准，两院都需要达到三分之五的多数[1]。共和党议员对此提出了反对，众议院议员凯文·霍恩伯格表示"仅仅因为我们可以采取超党派行动并不意味着我们应该这样做"[1]。现任共和党众议院议员安迪·哈里斯代表该州东岸地区，是该州唯一的共和党选区[1]。
美国最高法院在4月曾削弱了《投票权法》[1]，而在2022年，法官曾驳回过一份可能提升民主党的新地图[1]。
Maryland's Democratic-controlled legislature is moving forward with a plan to let voters decide whether to approve new congressional district maps that would favor Democrats in the state.[1] The state House of Delegates voted 96-38 on Tuesday to advance the constitutional amendment to the November ballot.[1] The measure must also receive approval from the state Senate, with both chambers requiring a three-fifths majority before it can be sent to voters.[1]
If approved by voters, the new maps would position Democrats to win all eight of Maryland's House seats, compared to their current hold on seven of them.[1] Republican Representative Kevin Hornberger criticized the effort, stating: "Just because we can take partisan action doesn't mean we should."[1] The state's only Republican-held congressional seat is currently represented by Andy Harris, who represents the Eastern Shore district.[1]
The redistricting push comes after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act in April.[1] A federal judge previously rejected a different proposed map in 2022 that also would have benefited Democrats.[1]