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2026 Maryland Question 3

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2026 Maryland Question 3
November 3, 2026
Election Districts

Question 3 is a voter referendum that will be held on November 3, 2026. If approved by voters, it would exempt Maryland's congressional districts from guidelines in the Constitution of Maryland that require legislative districts to respect natural boundaries and the boundaries of political subdivisions.

Ballot measure

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The ballot measure reads as follows:[1]

Question 3
Constitutional Amendment

The proposed Constitutional Amendment clarifies that certain standards in the Maryland Constitution apply only to districts used to elect members of the General Assembly; authorizes the General Assembly to grant original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court of Maryland to review the congressional districting plan of the State; and requires the criteria for boundaries of congressional districts to be determined by applicable federal laws.

The choices read as follows:[1]

For the Constitutional Amendment
Against the Constitutional Amendment

Background

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2022 legislative session

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In December 2021, the Maryland General Assembly convened for a special legislative session to pass a new congressional redistricting plan proposed by the Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission. Under this map, Maryland's 1st congressional district—which is represented by Andy Harris, the only Republican in Maryland's congressional delegation—would have been redrawn to include the Eastern Shore of Maryland and portions of Anne Arundel County and Harford County, thereby improving the Democratic Party's chances of winning the district.[2] This map was vetoed by Governor Larry Hogan, after which the General Assembly voted to override Hogan's veto.[3]

Shortly after the legislative session, lawsuits against the congressional redistricting plan were filed by Judicial Watch, Fair Maps Maryland, and Republican state delegates Kathy Szeliga, Christopher T. Adams, and Neil Parrott.[4] In March 2022, Senior Judge Lynne A. Battaglia ruled that state's congressional redistricting plan violated the Constitution of Maryland, citing a provision that requires each legislative district to "consist of adjoining territory, be compact in form, and of substantially equal population" and that districts respect natural boundaries and the boundaries of political subdivisions.[5] In response, the Maryland General Assembly passed a new congressional redistricting plan that included seven safe Democratic districts and one safe Republican seat,[6] which was signed into law by Governor Hogan.[7]

2026 legislative session

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Maryland governor Wes Moore and state delegate C. T. Wilson testify in support of legislation to redraw Maryland's congressional districts, 2026

In 2025, after Texas and Missouri redrew their congressional maps to give Republicans in the state an advantage in the 2026 United States House of Representatives elections, Maryland Governor Wes Moore and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones expressed openness toward redrawing Maryland's congressional districts to counter these efforts. However, in October 2025, Senate President Bill Ferguson wrote to his Democratic Senate colleagues rejecting efforts to redraw the state's congressional districts, expressing concerns that a new map would get overturned by courts and redrawn into one that allows Republicans to gain another congressional seat in Maryland.[8] In November 2025, Moore formed the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Commission (GRAC), which would be tasked with holding public hearings and providing recommendations for a new congressional redistricting map. The five-member commission was chaired by U.S. senator Angela Alsobrooks and included two gubernatorial appointees and the General Assembly's two legislative leaders or their designees;[9] Jones appointed state delegate C. T. Wilson to the commission, while Ferguson appointed himself. In January 2026, the GRAC voted 3–2 to recommend a new congressional redistricting plan that would redraw the 1st congressional district to make it more favorable for Democrats.[10] This map passed the Maryland House of Delegates by a 99–37 vote in February 2026,[11] but was blocked from receiving a vote in the Maryland Senate by Ferguson.[12] Ferguson referred the bill to the Senate Rules Committee, where it never received a hearing nor a vote.[13][14]

In March 2026, the House Government, Labor, and Elections Committee amended Senate Bill 5, a bill that proposed changing the Constitution of Maryland to require special elections to be held in most cases to fill vacancies in the Maryland General Assembly, to add a provision to the proposed constitutional amendment that would clarify that the constitution's redistricting guidelines only apply to legislative districts and not congressional districts.[15] Ferguson rejected this amendment, saying that it would violate the Maryland Constitution's "single subject rule", which requires that General Assembly bills only tackle one topic at a time. He also told reporters that redistricting was not among the Senate's top priorities in the final weeks of the legislative session, and the Senate would not pass the bill if the House retained its redistricting amendment.[16] The House passed the special elections bill with the redistricting amendment intact, after which the bill returned to the Senate, where it did not receive a vote.[17]

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned sine die on April 13, 2026.[18]

2026 special legislative session

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House vote
Senate vote
  Democratic yea
  Democratic nay
  Democratic absentees
  Republican nay
  Republican absentees

Following the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which limited challenges to gerrymandered maps using the Voting Rights Act of 1965, several Republican-led states in the Southern United States passed new congressional redistricting plans that dismantled multiple majority-Black congressional districts.[19] On July 7, 2026, leaders of the Maryland General Assembly announced that they would convene a special session in August 2026, to pass legislation placing a referendum on the general election ballot asking voters to add a provision to the state constitution clarifying that redistricting guidelines in the constitution only apply to districts used to elect members of the Maryland General Assembly.[20][21][22][23] If approved by voters, the proposed changes to the state constitution would allow the legislature to potentially redraw the state's congressional map for the 2028 United States House of Representatives elections to make Maryland's 1st congressional district more favorable for Democrats.[19]

Maryland Republicans denounced the special session, accusing Moore of using the special session to boost his "national ambitions" and complaining of overreach by the Maryland General Assembly's Democratic supermajority. Republicans also criticized Moore and legislative leaders for failing to focus on local issues said they planned to use the special session to introduce bills relating to tax issues.[20] Ferguson and Peña-Melnyk later sent a letter to legislators notifying them that they had instructed the Department of Legislative Services to "accept bill drafting requests for the special session only if they relate to the purpose for which the General Assembly is being reconvened: consideration of legislation concerning redistricting standards", preventing Republicans from introducing unrelated bills.[24]

The Maryland General Assembly convened for its special session on August 3, 2026.[25] The House of Delegates heard debate on the proposed constitutional amendment later that day, during which Republicans in the House of Delegates introduced 20 amendments to the proposed constitutional amendment; most amendments were defeated in mostly party-line votes, while another half dozen were ruled out of order under the Constitution's single-subject rule.[26] On August 4, the House of Delegates voted 96–38 and the Senate voted 32–13 to pass the redistricting amendment, placing it on the general election ballot.[27][28] Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes was the only Democrat to vote against the bill.[29]

Campaign

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Question 3 was supported by Fight Back MD, a political committee aimed at mobilizing Marylanders to approve the ballot question.[30][31]

Nicole Beus Harris, the chair of the Maryland Republican Party and wife of U.S. representative Andy Harris, said that Republicans would campaign against redistricting in the 2026 elections, citing polling showing that Maryland residents were more concerned with affordability issues than congressional redistricting.[32]

In August 2026, the Oversight Project, the Maryland Freedom Caucus, and state senators Steve Hershey and Justin Ready filed a lawsuit against Question 3 in Anne Arundel County, challenging that lawmakers violated a new state law that requires the Maryland Secretary of State to certify statewide ballot question language for the general election by July 1 and to provide a 15-day public comment period on proposed ballot language.[33][34] Under Senate Bill 29, which the Maryland General Assembly passed during the 2026 legislative session and went into effect on June 1, ballot questions must be written in plain language and must be prepared and certified by the Maryland Secretary of State by July 1, and the Maryland State Board of Elections must allow for a 15-day period for public comment. The redistricting referendum bill passed by the Maryland General Assembly during the 2026 special session exempts itself from these requirements to allow the question to be on the ballot for the 2026 general election.[34]

WBAL-TV also reported that another lawsuit was being prepared by the Maryland Republican Party, and would be filed in a state court on the Eastern Shore.[35]

Endorsements

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Yes
Statewide officials
State legislators
No
U.S. representatives
Statewide officials
State legislators
Organizations

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 "Ballot questions for the November 3, 2026 election". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  2. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (December 7, 2021). "House Democrats Advance Congressional District Map Opposed by Hogan, Republicans". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  3. ↑ Mollenkamp, Allison (December 9, 2021). "Hogan's congressional map veto overridden by legislature". Capital News Service. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  4. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (December 23, 2021). "Second Lawsuit Filed Over Maryland's New Congressional Districting Map". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (March 25, 2022). "Judge Throws Out Congressional Map, Orders Legislature to Try Again Next Week". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  6. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (March 28, 2022). "New Congressional Redistricting Plan Unveiled in Maryland Senate, Hearing Set for Early Tuesday". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  7. ↑ Leckrone, Bennett (April 4, 2022). "Maryland Congressional Redistricting Whirlwind Comes To A Close". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  8. ↑ Cox, Erin; Shepherd, Katie (October 29, 2025). "Maryland's Democratic Senate president blocks anti-Trump redistricting fight". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  9. ↑ Timm, Jane C. (November 4, 2025). "Maryland Gov. Wes Moore launches redistricting commission despite key Democratic opposition". NBC News. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  10. ↑ Wood, Pamela (January 20, 2026). "Maryland commission recommends new congressional boundaries favoring Democrats". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  11. ↑ Wood, Pamela (February 3, 2026). "Maryland House approves congressional map; expected to stall in Senate". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  12. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (February 20, 2026). "Is MD's midcycle redistricting battle over? Yes, Ferguson says". The Daily Record. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  13. ↑ Gaskill, Hannah (February 3, 2026). "Redistricting unlikely to move forward in MD Senate, Ferguson says". The Daily Record. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  14. ↑ "Legislation - HB0488". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  15. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (March 26, 2026). "Senate leader calls latest redistricting effort from House a nonstarter". Maryland Matters. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  16. ↑ Petrowich, Sarah (March 25, 2026). "Maryland House attempts to revive Congressional redistricting, Senate remains opposed". WYPR. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  17. ↑ Jacoby, Ceoli (April 30, 2026). "How the General Assembly's redistricting fight derailed a referendum on special elections". Bethesda Magazine. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  18. ↑ Collins, David (April 14, 2026). "Gov. Moore holds bill signing after chaotic end to 2026 legislative session". WBAL-TV. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  19. 1 2 Corasaniti, Nick (May 22, 2026). "Maryland Democrats Plan to Eliminate State's Lone Republican Seat in Time for 2028". The New York Times. Retrieved June 9, 2026.
  20. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Sears, Bryan P. (July 7, 2026). "Ferguson, Peña-Melnyk announce special session for redistricting". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  21. ↑ Wood, Pamela (July 7, 2026). "Maryland lawmakers will lay groundwork for redistricting in August special session". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved July 7, 2026.
  22. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (July 21, 2026). "Moore issues executive order officially calling special session". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  23. ↑ Petrowich, Sarah (July 29, 2026). "Maryland lawmakers reveal proposed redistricting constitutional amendment, special session plan". WYPR. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
  24. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (July 21, 2026). "House, Senate leaders draw hard line on special session topics". Maryland Matters. Retrieved July 21, 2026.
  25. ↑ Newton, Jason (August 2, 2026). "11 TV Hill: Preview debate on redistricting in Maryland". WBAL-TV. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  26. ↑ Sears, Bryan P. (August 4, 2026). "House set to give final approval to redistricting constitutional amendment". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  27. ↑ Collins, David (August 4, 2026). "Maryland House passes constitutional amendment on redistricting". WBAL-TV. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  28. ↑ Gregory, Matt (August 4, 2026). "Maryland legislators approved a 'redistricting' referendum". WUSA (TV). Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  29. ↑ Petrowich, Sarah (August 4, 2026). "Maryland lawmakers pass redistricting constitutional amendment, voters will have final say". WYPR. Retrieved August 4, 2026.
  30. ↑ Petrowich, Sarah (August 6, 2026). "Gov. Moore ceremonially signs Maryland redistricting amendment; can he call it a win?". WYPR. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  31. ↑ "Dems launch Maryland 2028 redistricting referendum campaign". Punchbowl News. August 6, 2026. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  32. 1 2 Chingarande, Tinashe (July 9, 2026). "Maryland redistricting proposal sparks questions over political motives". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 Byrne, Bridget (August 7, 2026). "Maryland Republicans file lawsuit to fight redistricting amendment". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  34. 1 2 Gaskill, Hannah (August 7, 2026). "MD Republicans sue Moore, elections officials over redistricting ballot question". The Daily Record. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  35. ↑ Collins, David (August 6, 2026). "Maryland constitutional amendment on redistricting poised for court battle". WBAL-TV. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  36. ↑ Collins, David (July 30, 2026). "Redistricting amendment heads to special session | What's at stake". WBAL-TV. Retrieved July 30, 2026.
  37. 1 2 Fakile, Tosin (July 8, 2026). "Maryland Republican lawmakers speak out against special session for redistricting". WDCW. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  38. 1 2 3 Ford, William J.; Condon, Christine (August 3, 2026). "Lawmakers convene for what leaders hope is quick work on a redistricting bill". Maryland Matters. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  39. 1 2 3 Ng, Greg (July 8, 2026). "Special session to consider redistricting in Maryland". WBAL-TV. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  40. 1 2 Ferguson, Bill; Hayes, Antonio; Washington, Mary (July 31, 2026). "Maryland must clear the constitutional path to defend voting rights". Baltimore Afro-American. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  41. ↑ Lynn, Bryan (August 7, 2026). "Maryland conservative group sues to block redistricting from November ballot". WJZ-TV. Retrieved August 7, 2026.
  42. ↑ Tierney, Lily (August 4, 2026). "Voters to decide future of redistricting after Maryland lawmakers pass bill". MyEasternShoreMD. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  43. ↑ Hogan, Larry (August 2, 2026). "The Constitution is not a tool for partisan politics | GUEST COMMENTARY". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  44. 1 2 Cook, Macayla (August 1, 2026). "Republicans criticize 'mixed up priorities' as Democrats defend special session on redistricting". The Star Democrat. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  45. ↑ Collins, David (August 4, 2026). "House, Senate pass constitutional amendment on redistricting". WBAL-TV. Retrieved August 5, 2026.
  46. 1 2 Gaskill, Hannah (August 3, 2026). "MD General Assembly special session: Democrats defend redistricting as way of combatting 'uncertainty'". The Daily Record. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Republican nominee Dan Cox bites back at Gov. Moore on Maryland redistricting". WTOP-FM. July 1, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Maryland lawmakers to hold special session on congressional redistricting amendment". The Star Democrat. July 7, 2026. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  49. ↑ Abell, Jeff (July 8, 2026). "Republicans blast special session on redistricting, saying crime and budget crisis ignored". WBFF-TV. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  50. ↑ Bellmyer, Jane (July 8, 2026). "Maryland General Assembly to go into special session for redistricting". Southern Maryland News. Retrieved July 9, 2026.
  51. ↑ Petrowich, Sarah (July 27, 2026). "Maryland GOP lawmaker launches ad campaign against special session redistricting effort". WYPR. Retrieved July 27, 2026.
  52. ↑ Cichon, Chris (August 1, 2026). "Maryland Del. Kathy Szeliga warns against proposed redistricting amendment". WBAL (AM). Retrieved August 1, 2026.
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