Maryland Legislature Passes Redistricting Amendment, Sending It to November Ballot

Maryland's General Assembly held a two-day special session in early August 2026, during which the House of Delegates passed House Bill 2100, a constitutional amendment clarifying rules for drawing congressional district lines, by a vote of 96-38, with the Senate approving it 32-13. Gov. Wes Moore held a signing ceremony for the measure on Wednesday, August 6, 2026, one day after the legislature's final passage. The amendment will appear on the November 2026 ballot for voter ratification and, if approved, would allow the state legislature to redraw Maryland's congressional map before the 2028 elections. Moore had previously called for the legislature to pass a new Democratic-leaning congressional map ahead of the 2026 election, but the General Assembly did not do so, instead advancing the constitutional amendment. Reporting indicates the amendment could pave the way for future redistricting that might eliminate a Republican-held seat on Maryland's Eastern Shore, currently represented by Rep. Andy Harris, though this outcome would depend on subsequent legislative action after voter approval. In a statement, Moore said he continues to support national redistricting reform but felt inaction was not an option given redistricting moves by Republicans in other states. State Sen. Bryan Simonaire and other Republicans have launched a statewide campaign opposing the amendment. The amendment's fate now rests with Maryland voters in the November 2026 general election. It remains unresolved whether, if ratified, the legislature would subsequently redraw the congressional map before 2028 and what such a map might look like, including whether it would target the Eastern Shore seat. There is also some difference in characterization among reports as to whether Moore's outcome represents a full win, given that the legislature did not deliver the specific Democratic-leaning map he initially requested.