Annapolis, MD — Senate and House Republican leaders today announced the Fair Districts for Maryland Act, comprehensive legislation to permanently end mid-cycle redistricting and restore fairness, transparency, and accountability to how Maryland draws its congressional and legislative maps.

Governor’s Actions Under Fire

Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said Governor Wes Moore has abandoned Maryland voters in favor of national Democratic politics, all while misleading the public about the fairness of Maryland’s current district lines.

“For Governor Moore to claim Maryland’s current maps are ‘fair’ while simultaneously laying the groundwork for a new, even more partisan redraw is the height of hypocrisy,” Hershey said. “He is not leading on behalf of Maryland; he is caving to national Democratic interests and silencing dissenting voices in his own state. And the truth is, the map we have today is already ripe for a court challenge. Any map the Governor tries to force through mid-cycle could easily end up before the courts — and Democrats should not be confident they’ll get the outcome they want.”

Republicans noted that Maryland’s deeply partisan redistricting history makes this moment especially urgent.

House Minority Leader Jason Buckel stated:

“Maryland already is known as one of the most gerrymandered states in America. Annapolis Democrats like it that way and have consistently refused to reform our redistricting process.

It is too political, it solely benefits the party in power, it completely ignores unaffiliated voters, and it allows one party’s politicians to pick their voters. We believe there is a better way, one that is much more balanced than what the Governor is proposing, and that is the Fair Districts for Maryland Act.”

Key Components of the Fair Districts for Maryland Act

Creation of a 10-Member Redistricting Commission

The Act establishes a 10-member Redistricting Commission that may only meet in the year following the census, eliminating the possibility of mid-cycle redistricting.

The 10-member commission will consist of:

• Two members appointed by the Governor, one of whom must be an unaffiliated voter
• The Speaker of the House of Delegates
• The President of the Senate
• The House Minority Leader
• The Senate Minority Leader
• Each of these four legislative leaders will also appoint a designee who will serve on the Commission.

Standards for Drawing Districts

The bill sets clear requirements for both congressional and legislative districts. Districts must be:

• Geographically contiguous
• Respectful of natural boundaries, geographic integrity, and the continuity of any municipal corporation, county, or political subdivision, to the extent practicable
• Geographically compact, incorporating nearby areas of population to the extent practicable
• Reflective of communities of common interest

Prohibition on Partisan Data Use

The legislation ensures that no partisan data may be used in the redistricting process.

The Commission may not consider:

• Voter registration
• Voter history
• Political affiliation
• Residence of any incumbent or potential candidate

Statements from Republican Leaders

Jason Buckel emphasized the importance of resisting partisan manipulation:

“Politicians who put party over principle and partisanship over doing what’s right for Maryland’s citizens will be tempted to choose the path of extreme gerrymandering to benefit a partisan advantage in DC. However, we believe it is essential to appeal to our better selves and work to protect democracy. The Fair Districts for Maryland Act has the power to ensure that redistricting is as fair as possible. This is the right bill in the right moment, and we hope it gets the consideration it deserves.”

House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy highlighted the voting disparity:

“Maryland currently has only one Republican Congressman, even though roughly 40% of Marylanders vote Republican. The fact that the Governor would even entertain the idea of further disenfranchising these voters is wrong.”

Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready underscored the need for a stable path forward:

“Redistricting in Maryland should serve the interests of all Marylanders not national party interests. The Fair Districts for Maryland Act puts an end to partisan gamesmanship and restores a process built on real fairness and transparency. If Governor Moore truly wants to represent the entire state, he should stand with us and support a system that protects every Marylander’s voice — not powerful D.C. politicians.”

Check out the press release here.