Maryland’s highest court ruled Thursday that voters will have their say on changing the state constitution’s rules on congressional redistricting — but the wording must be more clear.

The Supreme Court of Maryland issued its ruling just hours after hearing oral arguments for and against the proposed constitutional amendment.

State lawmakers voted this summer to change the constitution to make clear that congressional districts can be drawn without taking into account compactness, natural boundaries and city and county lines. Voters would need to approve the amendment in the November election in order for it to take effect.

If approved, the amendment would open the door for lawmakers to change the congressional map in hopes of electing Democrats to all eight of Maryland’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives — and ensure it could survive a legal challenge.

Advertise with us

The proposed amendment was the result of more than a year of wrangling among Maryland Democrats over how to respond to the cascade of redistricting kicked off when President Donald Trump urged Texas to draw more Republican-friendly districts.

Gov. Wes Moore and House of Delegates Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk supported drawing a new map of congressional districts, while Senate President Bill Ferguson expressed caution, warning that an 8-0 map might not pass legal muster.

Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026 - Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, House of Delegates Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk and Senate President Bill Ferguson put their signatures on HB2100 during an event at the State House in Annapolis on Wednesday. The bill puts a constitutional amendment to voters that would make it easier to draw congressional districts. Legally, the bill did not require the governor's signature but he held a bill-signing ceremony anyway.
This summer, Democratic lawmakers passed a bill that puts a constitutional amendment to voters that would make it easier to draw congressional districts. Legally, the bill did not require the governor's signature but he held a bill-signing ceremony with the General Assembly's presiding officers anyway. (Pamela Wood/The Banner)

Republican lawmakers, outnumbered and unable to block Democrats in the State House, turned to the courts to challenge the constitutional amendment, filing two lawsuits that culminated in Thursday’s hearing.

During two hours of oral arguments, the Supreme Court’s justices peppered lawyers for both sides with questions. Much of the focus was on the wording of the question that would appear on the ballot, and whether voters could understand it.

The Supreme Court justices told two lower courts that initially heard the cases to order state elections officials to use slightly different language on the ballot question that voters will see in November.

Advertise with us

Both sides emerged from the hearing feeling confident they would prevail, while Jared DeMarinis, the state elections administrator, said he was simply hoping for a quick resolution.

Ballot-printing, scheduled to begin this week, was on hold awaiting the ruling. The first ballots must be mailed to voters starting Sept. 17.

“We’ve told the courts of all these deadlines. They’re well aware of it and we’ve been appreciative of their expedited fashion,” DeMarinis said Thursday ahead of the ruling.

He added: “The best scenario for Marylanders, just in general, is clarity, so that we can proceed with this election without any sort of disruption.”

This is a developing story.