Maryland Redistricting Plan Released

Maryland’s redistricting plan for its eight Congressional districts is now public.

The plan was released last night by Governor O’Malley’s redistricting panel and Maryland residents now have seven days to comment on it. The redistricting is done to reflect population shifts measured by the 2010 Census, and ostensibly aims to ensure that each of the state’s eight Congressional voting districts have roughly the same population.

As it stands now, one of the big losers could be Republican Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, according to Associated Press. His 6th District, which now runs from the Susquehanna River to the West Virginia border, would lose a chunk of the largely Republican Frederick County and instead add a portion of heavily Democratic Montgomery county. Some analysts believe this could shift enough votes into the Democratic camp and edge Bartlett out in the 2010 elections. 

After the comment period, the Governor can make additional changes before submitting the final plan to the General Assembly -- which is dominated by Democrats. The Assembly will hold a special session beginning Oct. 17 to begin debate, and eventually vote on, redistricting.