By: BRYAN P. SEARS The House of Delegates chamber. House leaders are fast-tracking legislation to redraw the state’s eight congressional districts, drawing sharp criticism from Republicans who stand to lose the only seat the party holds in Maryland in the process. The House on Friday introduced House Bill 488 , a 40-page bill redrawing the state’s congressional districts for 2026 and then asking voters to approve a constitutional amendment that would keep the new districts fo

By Colin Pascal The U.S. Capitol is photographed, Monday, Jan. 5, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib) “This year begins with the familiar sound of politicians belittling each other and seeking attention by any means. President Donald Trump has admitted that he hates his opponents and Democrats continue to treat his voters as damaged people who need to be saved. The loss of a young woman in Minnesota during a confrontation with ICE agents, and the vastly different re

WASHINGTON (AP) “Americans are increasingly rejecting the two major political parties, according to new polling. Just under half, 45%, of U.S. adults now identify as independents, a new Gallup survey found. That’s a substantial shift from 20 years ago, when closer to one-third of Americans said they didn’t identify with the Democrats or Republicans.” Learn more here: https://apnews.com/article/poll-independents-moderates-republicans-democrats-trump-ba353eb6807fd854f5b6e6de52

See report and proposed maps here:

BY: BRYAN P. SEARS The steps of the Maryland State House. (Photo by Danielle E. Gaines/Maryland Matters) “Critics decry secret meeting of Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Commission, Ferguson blasts ‘preordained,’ ‘predetermined’ outcome” “A panel appointed by Gov. Wes Moore (D) to make recommendations on midcycle congressional redistricting voted behind closed doors Thursday to move forward with its work and solicit proposals from the public on how the state’s eight distric

A flag stand atop the Maryland State House on May 11, 2023, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Brian Witte, File) “A recent survey conducted by the Institute of Politics at the University of Maryland Baltimore County has revealed more concerns of Maryland residents… … identified the economy, jobs, and cost of living as the most significant issues… … A significant 77% of respondents rated the cost of healthcare as a high priority, followed by the quality of K-12 public education at 7

Indiana Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray takes a question after a bill to redistrict the state's congressional map was defeated on Thursday. (Michael Conroy/AP) By: Colin Pascal “The decision by Republican state senators in Indiana to oppose partisan redistricting was a courageous act in the face of immense political pressure. President Donald Trump is sure to unleash the full force of his vitriol against members of his party who opposed his dictates from Washington.

Commentary by: Delegate Lily Qi Daniel Roche votes at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library. Voters turn out to cast their ballots in the Annapolis Primary Election Tuesday. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff) “Maryland is now home to nearly a million independent voters, about one in four voters. This reflects a national trend. Many are party-averse immigrants from countries where politics often evoke fear and distrust. In fact, immigrant-heavy Hispanic and Asian communities top the l

BY: BRYAN P. SEARS Karl Aro, former executive director of the Department of Legislative Services, testifies to the three members of the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee who showed up for Tuesday's virtual meeting. Clockwise from top right, they are Senate Preisdent Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), Aro, Del. C.T. Wilson (D-Charles) and Cumberland Mayor Ray Morriss. (Screenshot) “A former executive director of the Department of Legislative Services warned a redistri

Voters cast at the Wayne K. Curry Sports and Learning Complex in Prince George's County during the 2024 general election. A circuit judge rejected claims by unaffiliated voters that they are disenfranchised by the state's closed primary system. (Photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) BY: CHRISTINE CONDON “An Anne Arundel County Circuit Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by unaffiliated Maryland voters, who argued that the state’s closed primary elections infringe

Photo by: MD planning By: Jeff Morgan “The commission heard mixed reviews from speakers during the listening session, with some advocating for changes and others opposing potential redistricting.” Read Full Article here: https://www.wmar2news.com/news/region/baltimore-city/redistricting-commission-hears-mixed-opinions-on-redrawing-district-maps Hear Maryland Forward Party’s Testimony: https://youtu.be/gxF0hrGQeZY?t=2936

Commentary By: Colin Pascal From left, Maryland House Minority Leader Jason Buckel, Senate Minority Leader Stephen Hershey, House Minority Whip Jesse Pippy and Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready present the Republican response to Governor Wes Moore’s redistricting plans in the Miller Senate Building Media Center. (Kim Hairston/staff) “At the very moment that Gov. Wes Moore is leaning into partisanship and alienating centrist voters, Maryland Republicans are missing an opportun