Maryland Judge Expresses Concerns Over Congressional Redistricting Ballot Question Process
Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Thompson has expressed concerns regarding the process by which a ballot question to clarify congressional redistricting procedures was advanced in Maryland. Arguments began in a lawsuit challenging the ballot question, which seeks to exempt the General Assembly from drawing 'geographically contiguous' and 'compact' congressional districts, a requirement set by a 2022 judge's ruling. The lawsuit, filed by Mike Howell, president of the conservative nonprofit Oversight Project, and several Republican lawmakers, targets Democratic Governor Wes Moore, Secretary of State Susan Lee, Maryland Elections Administrator Jared DeMarinis, Attorney General Anthony Brown, and the Maryland State Board of Elections. The plaintiffs argue that the General Assembly overstepped its authority and ignored its own recently enacted election law by fast-tracking the redistricting legislation. Specifically, they contend that the legislation bypasses a July 1 deadline for preparing and... 
