Maryland lawmakers announced Tuesday that the General Assembly will hold a special session early next month to consider legislation that could lead to the redrawing of its congressional map. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo
July 7 (UPI) -- Democratic lawmakers in Maryland announced Tuesday that the state legislature will reconvene for a special session next month to consider redistricting legislation, the latest move in the two parties' gerrymandering arms race.
Democrats hold all but one of Maryland's eight U.S. House seats, and the legislation to be considered during the Aug. 3-5 special session would propose a constitutional amendment that could pave the way for congressional redistricting, potentially making the state's lone Republican-held district more favorable to Democrats.
Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk announced the special session in a joint statement saying the move is in response to the recent weakening of the Voting Rights Act by the Supreme Court and part of an effort to counter Republican redistricting in other states.
"Maryland needs a durable, transparent constitutional framework for congressional redistricting that reflects the evolving legal landscape," the Democratic pair said in a statement.
