Maryland Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Szeliga)

Lawsuit filed on behalf of two Republican House of Delegates members and multiple Republican voters challenging Maryland’s new congressional map drawn with 2020 census data. The complaint alleges that the new map is a partisan gerrymander that “cracks” and “packs” voters across the state, ignoring political boundaries and county lines, in order to favor Democrats and dilute the voting strength of Republicans. The plaintiffs argue that this map violates multiple provisions of the Maryland Constitution, including the free elections, purity of elections, equal protection and freedom of speech clauses. The case was consolidated with Parrott v. Lamone.

After a trial was held, the judge permanently blocked the congressional map and ordered the General Assembly to draw a new map. The defendants appealed this decision, filing appeals in the Maryland Court of Appeals and the Maryland Court of Special Appeals. The plaintiffs filed notices of cross appeals in response. On April 4, after Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed the new map passed by the General Assembly into law, both parties dismissed their appeals.

Last updated: April 5, 2022 9:23 am EST