The Maryland General Assembly overrode Governor Larry Hogan’s veto of proposed congressional maps on Dec. 9, 2021. Under the Maryland State Constitution, Hogan has the ability to can propose state legislative maps, but cannot vote or veto the final maps.
On Nov. 5, in a meeting with Hogan, the Maryland’s Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission proposed new state senate and delegate districts to Governor Hogan. He approved the Maryland’s Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission map but opposed other maps due to gerrymandering.
The new maps would conserve Democratic power in Congress and increase competition for the only Republican-held seat. The maps will be voted on when the Maryland General Assembly meets for their 2022 session in Jan. 12 to Apr. 1 in Annapolis, Maryland.
District 9A currently stretches into Howard and Carroll County. The Commission recommended a new formation of a new District 9A from the northern tip of District 14, which includes part of Montgomery County. The New District 9A would stretch into Howard County, as well as into Montgomery County’s Damascus area.
The district is centered in Howard County and reflects the growth of Montgomery County. Some believe that the new proposed district will politically aid Maryland’s Democratic party, so Montgomery County lawmakers would have nine districts instead of eight.
However, Governor Larry Hogan vetoed the proposed maps on Dec. 9. “This congressional map done in back rooms by party bosses in Annapolis makes a mockery of our democracy and it is an embarrassment to all that our state stands for,” Hogan said in a tweet.
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of boundaries to support one party and create benefits for the party. The new district 9A could potentially help democratic candidates get elected or reelected.
“I think gerrymandering is a cancer on our democracy. There’s no question that both parties are guilty of it. It happens across the country. Republicans do it just as much as Democrats,” Hogan stated in an article by WBAL TV.
According to The Washington Post, the Democrats argued back to Hogan, a Republican, and other Republicans by saying that while the new map might not be as organized, it represents current circumstances better than the boundaries drawn long ago.
Maryland’s Constitution specifies that the governor can propose state legislative maps, but the state legislature makes the final decisions regarding district lines. State lawmakers have until the 45th day of the General Assembly’s session to pass either the new map or the map that Hogan proposed.
Article by Elise Liu of Seneca Valley High School
Photo courtesy of MCPS