Maryland lawmakers open limited window for public testimony on redistricting

Marylanders looking to testify during next week’s special session on congressional redistricting will have their chance Monday afternoon, but speakers will be limited and sign-up must be done in advance. Related stories Maryland legislative leaders limit special session to congressional redistricting Maryland lawmakers to meet in August for special session on redistricting Maryland lawmakers announce special session for redistricting Those are among the rules released Wednesday by legislative leaders ahead of the Aug. 3-5 special session, where lawmakers will consider adding a question to the November ballot asking voters whether they would like to change Maryland’s procedure for congressional redistricting.

The short session will feature a joint hearing by House and Senate election committees at noon Monday in Annapolis. Anyone can submit written testimony but only 50 witnesses will be allowed to speak — virtually or in person — and they will be limited to two minutes each. Friday, by first making a “MyMGA” account on the site, according to an update posted to the website Wednesday.

Legislative leaders posted identical House and Senate versions of the redistricting bill Wednesday that included language for a potential ballot question. If approved, the question would essentially overturn a 2022 decision from a Maryland judge that required congressional districts to be “compact, contiguous and mindful of jurisdictional and geographic boundaries.” The measure, if passed, would clarify that this requirement only applies to General Assembly districts, and it would send Maryland’s districts directly to the state Supreme Court for legal review. No redistricting changes could take effect before the 2028 election.

In a statement Wednesday, Republican leaders in the General Assembly took issue with the 50-person limit, and argued that details about the redistricting proposal had been scant before Wednesday’s release. “We are very concerned with the significant limitations on witnesses, and the reality that any bill hearing is obviously intended to be a brief and meaningless formality,” said House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Allegany).