Gov. Larry Hogan announced Thursday that he has issued an executive order to create a commission to study redistricting reform in Maryland. “Maryland is home to some of the most gerrymandered districts in the country, a distinction that we should not be proud of,” Hogan (R) said. According to the governor’s office, the commission will look at fully reforming Maryland’s redistricting process and giving the authority to an independent, nonpartisan commission. It also will give recommendations for congressional district reform. Maryland last redistricted in 2010, with the maps taking effect in 2012, according to the Maryland Department of Planning. Like all states, Maryland redistricts every 10 years.
Hogan is making good on a statement from his first State of the State speech, in which he said he was going to form a commission to look at the way Maryland forms its legislative districts
“For far too long, this political gamesmanship has stifled real political debate and deprived citizens of meaningful choices,” Hogan said. “Through the work of this commission, my administration’s goal is to reform this process and put Maryland’s redistricting process on a new path toward transparency, fair representation and election integrity.”
State senators and delegates on the Eastern Shore have to cover much larger districts than elsewhere in Maryland, like in Central Maryland near Baltimore, and in Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Prince George’s counties.
Full Article: Hogan announces redistricting committee — SoMdNews.com.