Pro-redistricting ballot question ads hitting airwaves, phones and mailboxes

Democrats seeking to allow the creation of more partisan congressional districts are launching an ad campaign to win over skeptical voters.

Fight Back MD is spending “six figures” on text messages, mailers and a video ad that will air on TV and streaming services to urge voters to approve Question 3, spokesperson Luca Amayo said.

Question 3, if approved by voters, would change the state constitution to remove requirements that congressional districts be compact and respect natural and political boundaries. It could pave the way for a Democratic gerrymander of Maryland’s congressional districts, with the goal of ousting Republican U.S. Rep. Andy Harris.

The 30-second ad blames President Donald Trump for pushing Republican-led states to draw congressional districts to favor their party.

The ad goes on to claim that with Question 3, Marylanders can respond to those actions.

“This is how Democrats elect a Congress that will stop Trump’s corrupt agenda, which is making everything cost more,” the ad says.

It concludes: “Stop Trump. Vote ‘yes’ on Question 3.”

The mailer echoes a similar theme: “Question 3 puts Maryland voters, NOT politicians, in charge of how we respond.”

The mailers will go to likely voters across the state, starting with voters who have already requested and received mail ballots. Text messages and mailers will start going out Saturday, according to Fight Back MD, a committee backed by state Democrats.

Question 3 is Democrats’ latest attempt to redraw congressional districts after the Maryland General Assembly did not agree to approve a new map — largely due to concerns in the state Senate that it would not survive legal scrutiny. Question 3 would remove a legal hurdle that a judge previously cited to reject redistricting plans.

The redistricting debate has divided Democrats for nearly a year and has brought pressure from national party leaders seeking an edge in recapturing a House majority.

Republicans and those philosophically opposed to gerrymandering have raised concerns about redrawing Maryland’s congressional boundaries, which currently elect seven Democrats and one Republican, Harris.

An anti-Question 3 group, Protect Maryland Votes, is also active this election season but has yet to air ads.

Recent polling indicates that Question 3 is facing headwinds, possibly because voters know little about what it does. The ballot language can be confusing for those not following politics closely.

A poll from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, released this week found that 53% would vote against Question 3, with just 25% in favor and 19% undecided.

That mirrored a poll from Protect Maryland Votes, which indicated 41% would vote no, 28% would vote yes and 31% were undecided. Bipartisan firms conducted the Protect Maryland Votes poll.

A poll from Fight Back MD showed more support for Question 3, but still not enough for it to pass: 40% yes, 35% opposed and 25% unsure. That poll was conducted by a firm that polls for Democrats.

Amayo pointed out that the group’s poll showed support rose to 53% after respondents were read “positive” messaging about Question 3.

“When voters understand that Question 3 gives Maryland the ability to push back against Trump’s efforts to rig congressional maps and shield himself from accountability at the ballot box, a majority support that,” Amayo said.

The statewide ad campaign “will make that case directly to Marylanders,” he said.