Maryland's current districts were adopted in 2002. The redistricting process began with the Census count in Spring 2010. It will continue with public hearings, review and analysis of proposed plans and eventual adoption of revised districts. They will be in place in time for the Congressional primary of 2012 and the State Legislative Election of 2014.
The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) is the repository of Reapportionment and Redistricting maps and data products. MDP is Maryland's designated State Agency coordinator for the Census Redistricting Data Program with the U.S. Bureau of the Census.
Pursuant to Maryland law passed in 2010, the Maryland census data must be adjusted for purposes of creating congressional, state legislative, and local districting plans. Generally, the law requires that the census data must be adjusted to reassign Maryland residents in correctional institutions to their last known address and to exclude out-of-state residents in correctional institutions from redistricting. The State intends to post the adjusted data on the Internet this spring. For further information contact the Maryland Department of Planning at 410-767-4500 or the Maryland Department of Legislative Services at 410-946-5200 or 301-970-5200.
Redistricting FAQs
What Is Redistricting?
Redistricting is a process that uses population data to redraw electoral districts or boundary lines within a state based on changes in population. The process affects districts at various levels of government, including the U.S. House of Representatives, state legislatures, city councils, county commissions or councils and local school boards
What Is Apportionment?
Apportionment is a requirement of Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution that allocates the number of seats within the U.S. House of Representative to states based on their populations. Reapportionment does not involve the drawing of boundaries for specific congressional districts. Once the number of House representatives is determined, specific electoral districts from which representatives are to be elected are created through the process of redistricting. The U.S. Census Bureau must submit the apportionment results to the President of the United States by Dec. 31 of the Census year.
What is the role of the U.S. Census Bureau in redistricting?
In accordance with P.L. (Public Law) 94-171, the U.S. Census Bureau must deliver the census data to each state within one year of collecting data for the decennial, or 10-year, census. Since the Census Day for population counting was held April 1, 2010, the Census Bureau must do so by April 1, 2011. Because of a new state law (See "What is the 'No Representation Without Population Act of 2010?'" below), Maryland will adjust the Census data given to the state by the U.S. Census Bureau.
When does the redistricting process start?
As with all states, Maryland redistricts every 10 years after the decennial census is completed.
What is the process for Congressional redistricting in Maryland?
Both the Maryland Constitution and statutes are silent on the matter of congressional redistricting. Congress has given state legislatures authority to redistrict congressional seats. The only federal statutory requirement is that congressional districts be single-member districts. The Maryland congressional plan is introduced as a regular bill in the General Assembly and must be passed by both houses and signed by the Governor who has veto power over the plan.
How many U.S. senators does Maryland have?
Maryland, like every other state, has two U.S. senators.
How many Congressional seats does Maryland have?
Maryland has eight Congressional seats.
How are they determined?
When Congress convenes in the year following the Census, the president must transmit to the state legislative body a statement of the apportionment of the 435 seats in the U.S. House of Representative among the states. The number of representatives allocated to each state is based on the Census results and determined by the "method of equal proportions." Each state is guaranteed at least one representative. The remaining 385 seats are divided among the states through a mathematical formula based on population.
What is the process for State Legislative redistricting in Maryland?
Article III, Section 5 of the Maryland Constitution requires the Governor to prepare a legislative districting plan following the decennial census. The Governor must present the plan to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Delegates. The presiding officers must have the plan introduced as a joint resolution on the first day of the regular session in the second year following the decennial census (In this case that will be January 11, 2012). If the General Assembly has not adopted another redistricting plan by the 45th day of the session, the Governor's plan as presented becomes law.
How many state senators does Maryland have?
The Maryland General Assembly has 47 members in the State Senate who are apportioned equally based on the state's modified Census population in accordance with Maryland state law.
How many delegates does the Maryland General Assembly have?
The Delegate districts are "nested" within the Senate districts. In Maryland, there are 3 delegates for each Senate district. The Delegate districts may be a 3 member at-large district, a district subdivided into 3 single-member districts or a 1 single-member district and one multi-member district.
What is the 'No Representation Without Population Act of 2010'?
For the purposes of redistricting, the No Representation Without Population Act (the "Act) requires prisoners in state or federal prisons to be counted as residents of their last known address before incarceration. The Act also requires Maryland to exclude those federal or state prisoners who were not State residents prior to their incarceration from the count to determine legislative districts. The Act applies to legislative districts for the U.S. Congress, General Assembly, and county and municipal governing bodies.
What is the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee?
A Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee historically has been created to review state and congressional redistricting plans and to develop plan recommendations for the Governor. Because the creation of such a committee is not required by law, we do not yet know if one will be created. In the past, there have been 5 members on the Committee, including the Senate President and the Speaker of the House.
Can anyone submit a plan to be considered for redistricting?
Yes.
What is the process for submitting plans?
In the past, the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee has prepared guidelines for plan submission. Once the formation of a committee is determined, such guidelines would be made available on the Maryland Department of Planning website and at public hearings.
Will there be public meetings to obtain feedback?
The Maryland Constitution requires that public hearings be held on the state redistricting plan. In the past, the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee has held public meetings across the state to facilitate citizen participation. In the past, a public hearing was also held in Annapolis on the Redistricting Advisory Committee's final recommendations. A schedule of hearings will be posted on the website for the Maryland Department of Planning, advertised in local media and announced in press releases.
What state agencies are involved in redistricting?
The Maryland Department of Planning provides staff support to the Governor's office and the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee. It prepares and assists with customizing maps and statistical data reports needed to develop the Congressional and Legislative redistricting plans. The Department also analyzes all plans submitted to the Advisory Committee. MDP is also the repository for all redistricting plans submitted for recommendation.
The Maryland Department of Legislative Services provides staff support necessary for redistricting to the members of the General Assembly, including assistance with drafting plan submissions or amendments to the Governor's plans. It also analyzes plans submitted to the General Assembly by the general public and interest groups.
The Maryland State Board of Elections is responsible for conducting elections based on the new redistricted boundary lines.
Timeline
Spring 2011
Potential appointment of Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee.
February 2011
Census 2010 Redistricting population counts (P.L. 94-171) received from Census Bureau.
Spring/Summer 2011
Regional public hearings conducted throughout the state for Congressional and State Legislative Redistricting.
Late Summer/Early Fall 2011
Special legislative session called to adopt Congressional redistricting plan.
January 11, 2012
Governor submits State Legislative Redistricting Plan to President of Senate and Speaker of House of Delegates to be introduced as joint Resolution to Maryland General Assembly on first day of Maryland's 2012 legislative session.
February 14, 2012
State primary election to include revised Congressional districts.
By February 25, 2012
Alternative state legislative district plan must be adopted by this date or the Governor's plan is adopted.
Fall 2014
State primary and general election to include revised State legislative districts.
Current - 2002 Congressional and Legislative Districts Maps and Data Products
If you have further questions about redistricting 2010, please contact::
Linda Janey Assistant Secretary for Clearinghouse and Communications
Maryland Department of Planning
410-767-4490
For press inquiries, please contact:
Andrew Ratner Director of Communications and Education
Maryland Department of Planning
410-767-4544, 410-340-7230 (c)
Click Here to Join MDP's eMail List
Maryland, like all states, must draw new Congressional districts (U.S. Constitution Article I, Section 2) and State Legislative districts (Maryland Constitution Article III, Section 5) based on the principal of one-person one-vote following the decennial Census of the United States.
