Federal Court Orders Maryland Officials To Draw Up Nonpartisan Redistricting Plan

A panel of federal judges has ruled that Maryland officials must draw up a new congressional redistricting plan that isn't tainted by partisan gerrymandering.

The three-judge panel on Wednesday ordered the state to submit the new map by March 7. Otherwise, the court will appoint a commission to produce a redistricting plan for use in the 2020 congressional election.

Gov. Larry Hogan, an advocate for nonpartisan redistricting reform, cheered the decision.

"This is a victory for the vast majority of Marylanders who want free and fair elections and the numerous advocates from across the political spectrum who have been fighting partisan gerrymandering in our state for decades," Hogan said in a statement. "With this unanimous ruling, the federal court is confirming what we in Maryland have known for a long time – that we have the most gerrymandered districts in the country, they were drawn this way for partisan reasons, and they violate Marylanders’ constitutional rights."

Redistricting maps are drawn by the governor and approved by the state's General Assembly, which is currently controlled by Democrats. Speaking to reporters earlier Wednesday, he suggested that lawmakers may now be more amenable to his proposals, since he would otherwise be the one drawing the maps.

A spokesman for Attorney General Brian Frosh says his office is "reviewing options" for appeal.

Several Republican voters sued over the boundaries of one of Maryland's eight congressional districts, claiming state officials unfairly redrew it in 2011 to favor Democrats.

The federal judges say the state must redraw the 6th congressional district's lines using "traditional criteria for redistricting," showing regard for "natural boundaries."