Maryland is set to convene a special legislative session in August to initiate the process of redrawing its congressional districts for the 2028 election, according to an announcement made Tuesday by Senate President Bill Ferguson and House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk.
This decision comes as a response by state Democrats to counter Republican redistricting efforts in the South, which accelerated after the Supreme Court’s rollback of the Voting Rights Act in April.
“Following recent court rulings that have weakened the federal Voting Rights Act and introduced new uncertainties in congressional redistricting, Maryland needs a definitive legal path,” Ferguson said in a statement. “This special session will empower the General Assembly to take necessary action while ensuring that Maryland voters have the final say.”
The session marks the beginning of a potentially lengthy process to adjust the district lines before 2028. Legislators will consider a state constitutional amendment designed to codify their authority to make partisan, mid-decade alterations to the congressional map.
If approved by the state Senate and House of Delegates, the amendment could be presented to voters as early as November.
The specifics of the proposed amendment were not disclosed in the Tuesday announcement. However, if voters give their approval, lawmakers could proceed with redrawing the lines for the 2028 election.
In his statement, Governor Wes Moore, also a Democrat, expressed his intent to “work closely with the General Assembly as they evaluate legislation to provide our state with the tools needed to protect voters and uphold fair representation.”
“For months, I’ve maintained that inaction is not an option and we cannot remain idle while voting rights, fair representation, and the core of our democracy are threatened nationwide,” he said. “I value the General Assembly’s ongoing discussions and their commitment to completing this important work.”
This approach falls short of what some Maryland Democrats advocated for earlier in the year to address Republicans’ advantages in House redistricting. Rep. Jamie Raskin was among those urging the state to redraw its congressional lines for the 2026 midterms.
Throughout the year, Moore and Ferguson have disagreed over redistricting. While Moore and others pushed for immediate action, Ferguson consistently opposed redrawing for 2026, arguing that such actions might not align with the state Constitution and could be overturned by the state Supreme Court.
