Judge rejects Maryland’s new congressional map after finding ‘extreme’ gerrymandering

On Friday, a Maryland judge rejected a map of the state’s congressional districts that had been approved by the General Assembly but had been challenged by Republicans, describing it as “a product of extreme partisan gerrymandering.”

Two GOP groups held that the map was unfairly drawn in order to favor Democratic candidates, saying it additionally does not abide by guidelines presented by the state’s constitution.

Lynne A. Battaglia, a retired state appeals court judge that had been assigned to the Anne Arundel Circuit Court case, sided with the Republican groups in her decision, as they argued that the map was drawn with “partisanship as a predominant interest.”

Battaglia agreed with the testimony that had been given, which said Republican voters and candidates “are substantially adversely impacted by the 2021 plan.” 

Under the decision, state legislators will have until March 30 to come up with a new congressional plan that adheres to the state constitution. State Attorney General Brian Frosh had defended the map and now has the right to appeal. A spokeswoman for Frosh, Raquel Combs, said that so far, no decision has been made regarding whether an appeal will be filed. Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, has been an outspoken critic of partisan gerrymandering in the state, and he called Friday’s ruling a “historic milestone.” He added, “For nearly eight years, we have been fighting to end the gerrymandering monopoly that has for too long been a shameful legacy of our state. This ruling is a monumental victory for every Marylander who cares about protecting our democracy, bringing fairness to our elections, and putting the people back in charge. It puts in plain view the partisan, secretive and rigged process that led to the legislature’s illegal and unconstitutional maps.” 

Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, has been an outspoken critic of partisan gerrymandering in the state, and he called Friday’s ruling a “historic milestone.”

He added, “For nearly eight years, we have been fighting to end the gerrymandering monopoly that has for too long been a shameful legacy of our state. This ruling is a monumental victory for every Marylander who cares about protecting our democracy, bringing fairness to our elections, and putting the people back in charge. It puts in plain view the partisan, secretive and rigged process that led to the legislature’s illegal and unconstitutional maps.”