Posted on 10/20/2011 8:08:36 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland House of Delegates on Wednesday approved a new congressional map expected to give Democrats a better shot at winning one of state Republicans’ two congressional seats, clearing a final hurdle for Democratic Gov. Martin O'Malley’s stamp of approval.
The Senate overwhelmingly approved the map on Tuesday, just two days into the General Assembly’s special session, held to consider the map submitted by Mr. O'Malley. Critics said it would split districts and slight minority voters to take the Western Maryland district held since 1993 by GOPRep. Roscoe G. Bartlett.
Senate lawmakers must return to Annapolis on Thursday to approve some technical changes made by the House, then send the map legislation to the governor.
The Democrat-controlled House approved the plan 91-46 after proposals by Republicans and some Montgomery and Prince George’s Democrats to amend the map were rejected handily. Democratic leaders said afterward that the governor’s map was the fairest possible for the state.
“We’ve looked at more maps and more positions, trying to come up with what you think is the fairest possible way,” said House Speaker Michael E. Busch, Anne Arundel Democrat. “No matter what you do, there’s always some portion of it that somebody doesn’t like or doesn’t want.”
The map would change Mr. Bartlett’s 6th District by adding the western half of liberal-leaning Montgomery County while eliminating conservative sections of Baltimore, Carroll, Frederick and Harford counties.
The map also would alter Democratic Rep. Donna F. Edwards‘ 4th District, which covers parts of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, to instead cover parts of Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties.
Beyond GOP criticism that the governor’s plan gerrymanders Mr. Bartlett’s district, House Republicans and minority Democrats argued together that the map dilutes the influence of minorities in some districts.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Maryland “Freak State” PING!
As time goes on, I’m glad I moved out of my home state of MD. What a bunch of nuts in the legislature.
Bad plan. The districts are not compact or contiguous (except in a narrow (literally) technical sense), as required by the Voting Rights Act, they are drawn for partisan manipulation, they diminish minority representation in violation of the Voting Rights Act, and they put together areas that have little or no commonality of interest. The “Maryland Fair Representation Plan” is far better.
BTW, the Dems aren’t thinking. While the plan could take out Roscoe Bartlett (R), by moving the conservative sections of a few counties, many believe that it could endanger Chris VanHollen (D).
Here is the Maryland Fair Representation Plan map:
http://www.hometownannapolis.com/photos/2011/10/2011cong_md_fair_rep.pdf
Here is the O’Malley Gerrymander:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/local/maryland-redistricting-map/
I've driven through that panhandle, and it seems no different than Central Pennsylvania. Can that win a district if the candidate does better than normal in that part of Montgomery County.
Oh, Maryland...Lib Loony Maryland!
C’mon boys! Thar’s two of ‘em repubicans and we can take em both! Yee ha!
It will be such a relief to be one-party state- so much more efficient form of Government.
And the dead won’t have to reawaken to vote.
(sarc)
most of family is back in maryland but i too am glad i moved.
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