Maryland court blocks Democratic redistricting amendment from November ballot

Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Thompson has blocked a Democratic-backed redistricting amendment from Maryland's November 3, 2026, ballot. The court ruled that the General Assembly violated its own July 1 deadline by passing the measure during an August special session called by Governor Wes Moore. The amendment aimed to exempt congressional maps from compactness and natural boundary rules, targeting the state's sole Republican-held seat. The state has appealed the decision to the Maryland Supreme Court.

Maryland redistricting amendment blocked

• ▪Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge Robert J. Thompson ruled on August 26, 2026, that a proposed Maryland constitutional amendment on redistricting cannot appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot
• ▪The blocked Maryland constitutional amendment sought to declare that state constitutional requirements for compact districts and natural boundaries apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional ones

Legislative procedural violations

• ▪Judge Robert J. Thompson ruled that the proposed amendment violated the Maryland Constitution's single-issue requirement by combining redistricting standards with a provision granting the Maryland Supreme Court original jurisdiction over redistricting lawsuits
• ▪Judge Robert J. Thompson ruled that the proposed ballot question used "intentionally misleading" wording by stating that the amendment merely "clarifies" the state constitution's redistricting standards
• ▪Judge Robert J. Thompson ruled that the Maryland General Assembly violated its own laws by passing the redistricting amendment during an August 2026 special session that convened after the statutory July 1 ballot certification deadline

Democratic congressional seat targeting

• ▪Maryland Governor Wes Moore called the General Assembly into an extraordinary special session beginning August 3, 2026, to pass the redistricting legislation
• ▪Maryland Democrats sought the constitutional amendment to facilitate redrawing congressional districts, specifically targeting the state's sole Republican-held district represented by Representative Andy Harris

National mid-decade redistricting battle

• ▪The Virginia Supreme Court invalidated a Democratic-backed redistricting ballot measure in May 2026 due to procedural violations by state lawmakers
• ▪A national mid-decade redistricting battle emerged after Donald Trump urged Republican-led states to redraw congressional districts to help maintain a Republican House majority

Maryland Supreme Court appeal

• ▪The Maryland State Board of Elections immediately appealed Judge Robert J. Thompson's ruling to the Maryland Supreme Court
• ▪Judge Robert J. Thompson paused the effect of his ruling to allow the Maryland Supreme Court to hear the appeal

Political reactions to ruling

• ▪Oversight Project Strategic Counsel Marshall Yates described the court's decision as a major step and complete vindication against Maryland's lawless attempt at redistricting
• ▪Maryland House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk expressed confidence in the General Assembly's authority and stated that Maryland voters should have the final say
• ▪Maryland Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey called the ruling an important victory for the rule of law, arguing that the government must follow the laws it passes

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