Delaney Statement on Maryland Redistricting Reform

WASHINGTON - In his State of the State address, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan announced that he will create a bipartisan commission to examine Maryland’s redistricting procedure, “with the goal of fully reforming this process and giving this authority to an independent, bipartisan commission.”

“Maryland needs redistricting reform,” said Congressman John K. Delaney (MD-6). “This isn’t a partisan issue; it’s a good government issue. All too often, gerrymandered one-party districts falsely distort the voice of the people. Maryland is far from unique in this regard and I believe that we also need nationwide reforms that get partisanship out of district-making once and for all. Today’s announcement is good news for my constituents and good news for our state. I look forward to further details regarding reform in Maryland and stand ready to work with state officials to bring redistricting reform to our state.”  

Since first running for office in 2012, Delaney has been a proponent of establishing independent redistricting commissions. Last Congress, Delaney introduced the Open Our Democracy Act, which directed the Comptroller General of the Government Accountability Office to study the feasibility of establishing national standards for redistricting, a first step towards federal reforms.  The legislation also included provisions making Election Day a federal holiday and creating open primaries for House elections, allowing independents to vote in primaries.

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