Question 3: Rules for drawing congressional districtsRemoves state-constitution map rules for U.S. House districts
Read the full text of the measure: State Board of Elections file (PDF)
In plain words
Maryland has eight U.S. House districts. In 2022 a state judge ruled that the constitution's rules for state legislative maps (districts must be connected and compact, and respect county and natural lines) also apply to U.S. House maps. This amendment says those rules cover only state legislative districts and that the state constitution sets no rules for U.S. House lines; federal law would still apply. It would also let lawmakers send U.S. House map lawsuits straight to the Supreme Court of Maryland. It does not draw a new map by itself; a new map was discussed for the 2028 election. (mgaleg.maryland.gov )
Before and after
| Question | Today | If it passes |
|---|---|---|
| State rules for U.S. House district lines | A 2022 circuit court ruling applied the state legislative map rules (connected, compact, respect county lines) | The state constitution sets no rules; federal law still applies |
| Rules for state Senate and House of Delegates districts | Connected, compact, equal population, respect natural and county lines | Same |
| Where lawsuits over the U.S. House map start | In a county circuit court | Lawmakers can send them straight to the Supreme Court of Maryland |
| The U.S. House map | 2022 map | Same until lawmakers pass a new one (one was floated for 2028) |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see (mgaleg.maryland.gov )
Biggest change
- Limits the constitution's districting rules to state Senate and House of Delegates districts. source: elections.maryland.gov
- States that nothing in the Maryland Constitution, including the Declaration of Rights, provides criteria for congressional district boundaries. source: elections.maryland.gov
- Lets the General Assembly give the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction (the first and only say) over the congressional map. source: elections.maryland.gov
Who it affects most: Every Maryland voter's U.S. House district, especially the 1st District (Eastern Shore), held by Rep. Andy Harris, the state's only Republican in Congress, if lawmakers later redraw the map.
Cost to the state: The Department of Legislative Services says it would not materially affect state finances.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
The state constitution would set no rules for U.S. House district lines, so lawmakers could draw a new map under federal rules only.
U.S. House maps stay subject to the 2022 court ruling that applies the state's compact-and-connected district rules.
Our one-line summary. Maryland does not publish an official "what your vote means" statement; the ballot title above is the official description.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
The Legislature put this on the ballot. It changes the state constitution, so only another statewide vote can change it back. It passes with a simple majority of the votes cast on it.
- A March 25, 2022 Anne Arundel County Circuit Court opinion held that the constitution's legislative districting standards also apply to congressional maps. The current map was enacted in 2022. source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
- The General Assembly passed this amendment in an August 2026 special session, replacing an earlier version. Circuit courts in Anne Arundel and Dorchester counties blocked it from the ballot; on September 3, 2026 the Supreme Court of Maryland agreed the original wording did not adequately explain the amendment and ordered new wording instead of removing it. source: conduitstreet.mdcounties.org
- The Maryland House of Delegates passed an 8-0 congressional map that the Senate did not take up. Senate President Bill Ferguson said his position shifted after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened key parts of the federal Voting Rights Act. Maryland is not expected to redraw its map for 2026. source: wypr.org
Why supporters want it
- Gov. Wes Moore: "Give it to the people. Let the people decide." Moore has also said, "we are not going to allow Donald Trump to determine our democracy." source: nbcwashington.com
- Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said the amendment "belongs in front of voters." source: wypr.org
Why opponents object
- State Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel): "This is a direct assault on the checks and balances meant to protect you from government overreach." source: wypr.org
- Dan Cox, Republican candidate for governor, says the ballot wording is unclear: "There is no vote yes if you read it." source: nbcwashington.com
Who backs each side
- For: Fight Back MD (also reported as Fight Back Maryland), a Democratic ballot committee formed after the General Assembly passed the amendment, backed by Gov. Moore and Senate President Ferguson. Against: a statewide campaign led by Sen. Bryan Simonaire; Senate Republican Leader Steve Hershey said national Republicans are preparing to fund opposition. No dollar totals were found in public reports. source: wypr.org
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Kent County ballot (PDF) .
Question 3
Constitutional Amendment
(Ch. 881 of the 2026 Legislative Session)
Election Districts – General Assembly and Representatives in Congress
FOR the purpose of clarifying that certain requirements apply only to districts for the election of members of the Senate of Maryland and the House of Delegates; authorizing the General Assembly to grant original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court of Maryland to review the congressional districting plan of the State; and providing that nothing in the Maryland Constitution provides applicable criteria for the boundaries of a congressional districting plan.
(Amending Article III of the Maryland Constitution)
For the Constitutional Amendment
Against the Constitutional Amendment
Copied word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Kent County ballot. The statewide questions are the same on every county's ballot.
Latest news
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Full text of the measure
The exact change to Article III, Section 4 and the new Section 62 is in the State Board of Elections' amendment text PDF. The ballot wording was rewritten by order of the Supreme Court of Maryland on September 3, 2026. Read it in the State Board of Elections file (PDF) , or on the Legislature's page for House Bill 2100 (Chapter 881 of 2026) , which also shows the votes in each chamber.
Read more
- State Board of Elections: 2026 ballot questions
- WYPR: What's next for Maryland's congressional redistricting fight
- NBC4 Washington: Maryland redistricting ahead of November
- Conduit Street (Md. Association of Counties): Supreme Court clears the question
- State Court Report: the Supreme Court of Maryland case
- Department of Legislative Services: fiscal and policy note (PDF)
We link to analysis from several sources; we don't endorse it.