Gov. Wes Moore said Thursday he believes Marylanders will “overwhelmingly’’ support an amendment to change the way congressional districts are drawn when they go to the polls in November.
“The people are excited they have the power again,” Moore told reporters Thursday.
Moore was among the thousands of lawmakers and activists gathered for the 55th annual Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s legislative conference in Washington, D.C. Moore was a speaker on some panels. The five-day conference, themed, “Rooted, Ready and Rising,” featured panels on issues, including voting rights, the rise of AI and the effects of the Trump administration’s federal layoffs on communities of color, including in Maryland.
Maryland is facing its own voting rights issues, including deciding on a ballot question that would amend the Maryland Constitution on congressional redistricting. The amendment would remove certain state-level geographic restrictions. The amendment, usually referred to as ‘Question 3,’ would also authorize the General Assembly to grant original jurisdiction to the Maryland Supreme Court to review the congressional redistricting plan.
“What Question 3 is saying is ‘Do you want the power?’” said Moore, a Democrat. “Until Question 3, we had a chance to have Donald Trump determine what our democracy looks like.”
The proposed change comes amid a national redistricting effort, mostly led by Republicans, in states such as Texas, Florida, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ohio and Tennessee. In Maryland, Democrats aim to counteract national Republican efforts. Critics of the ballot question say Democrats aim to eliminate the only Republican-controlled district in Maryland. U.S. Rep. Andy Harris holds that seat.
Earlier this month, the Maryland Supreme Court overturned two lower court decisions that had decided to remove the question from the November election.
National voting rights leaders and activists at the Black caucus conference criticized the Trump administration for what they called efforts to interfere with upcoming elections. Maryland Democrats agree.
“I think the people of Maryland have seen now for the past year, the cruel and creative ways that they will try to manipulate elections, and they know they’re not done,” Moore said, referring to members of the Trump administration.
Republican opponents argue that the change to the amendment is unconstitutional and allows for political gerrymandering.
“This is a direct assault on the checks and balances meant to protect you from government overreach. Gerrymandering is the ultimate form of voter suppression,” State Sen. Bryan Simonaire, R-Anne Arundel County, said in a campaign ad in July.
Simonaire complained about the Maryland General Assembly holding an emergency special session in August to address the ballot question. He accused Annapolis leadership of spending taxpayer money on a “partisan power grab.”
Moore said it is important that Marylanders show up at the polls this November, even though it is not a presidential election.
“You watch a significant drop off in who turns out and votes in presidential years and who comes out in midterm years. It can go anywhere from around 70% to around 45%,” Moore said. “I need people to treat this like this election is like a presidential year.”