ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission held its second of several regional meetings for residents on June 16 to hear the public’s comments about redistricting in Maryland. Although the meeting focused on the redistricting of Cecil, Harford and Carroll County, they welcomed all Marylanders to join the meeting.

During the meeting, many leaders in those communities expressed their beliefs of common issues such as equity, single versus multi-member districts, and more.

First, the Hartford County Caucus of African American Leaders mentioned that underrepresented and underserved people should be accounted for as redistricting continues.

“The communities that are ranked high by the Center of Disease Control in the social vulnerability index. These maps show all too often that under-counted communities are also underserved. While all voices must be heard, some must be amplified,” Jim Thornton, representative of the Hartford County Caucus of African American Leaders, said. “For the Sake of equity, new maps are drawn, and we must all work together to engage these communities.”

Regarding single versus multi-member districts, former House Minority Whip Kathy Szeliga[R] wrote a letter to the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission members before the meeting, urging for fair legislative districts.

“I would like to officially advocate for single-member House of Delegates districts. The current system of one, two, and three-member districts certainly violates the one man-one vote principle of our Democratic Republic,” Szeliga said. “Citizens who live in a three-member House district get three votes in the House of Delegates. Citizens who live in a single-member district only get one vote on bills and issues, as well as only one representative to advocate for them. And the same for those citizens who have two delegates receiving two votes instead of three or one. While single-member districts would serve citizens most fairly and effectively, the other option would be for all the 141 House districts to be three-member districts. It should be consistent, either all single members or all three members.” 

However, the Hartford County Caucus of African American Leaders recommends merging legislative Districts 34 A and B. They believe this structure will increase the chance of a person of color being elected to the Maryland General Assembly. Hartford County has never had a person of color serve them in the general assembly.

Meanwhile, some mentioned that redistricting is bigger than just moving voting districts.

“I want to remind the commission what you are doing is not just moving around voting districts, but it can have an outside effect on people’s lives. Many of the constituents have had the same legislature for possibly 20 years or more,” Edward Johnson, co-leader of the Maryland Legislative Coalition, said. “Those legislators and their staff have helped them with social security, unemployment problems and many other issues. They have forged relationships with their legislators as constituents and have relied on them for help.”

Additionally, Vontasha Simms from Charles County spoke on behalf of what she considers to be one of the fastest-growing counties in not just Southern Maryland but all of Maryland. Simms hopes that the redistricting allows for Charles County to stay and grow together as a voting district.

“We are one of the fastest-growing counties in Maryland, and we feel like we should not be divided. On one side we are divided between Calvert and St. Mary’s. On the other side, we are divided with Prince George’s county,” Simms said. “We are looking to have our county. We are also looking to support others around the state.”

Even though everyone has concerns about redistricting, many have commended Governor Larry Hogan[R] for creating a commission for the redistricting process and giving them a voice.

The Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission will hold a virtual meeting on June 23 for Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s county residents. To see the agenda for the event, click here.

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