A special session to talk about redistricting in Maryland? Sen. Ferguson says maybe

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — After remaining opposed to Maryland jumping into the mid-cycle redistricting race unfolding across the country, Senate President Bill Ferguson indicated he’s softened his stance.

Pointing to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act, Ferguson, a Democrat from Baltimore City, said he’s going to meet with his caucus after the June primary to discuss the possibility of a special session.

“The Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, and Southern legislatures are already using that ruling to wipe out minority districts,” Ferguson said via statement. “Maryland must respond as the ground shifts under us.”

Conversations are underway to look at a constitutional amendment to address the 2022 ruling in Maryland involving redistricting, Ferguson said, “with the goal of putting this before Maryland voters in November.”

“We’ll meet after the Primary to prepare – we must do this right, without risking what we have already won,” Ferguson continued.

Since last fall, Ferguson has argued against redistricting right now in Maryland. Currently, Democrats hold seven of the eight congressional seats from Maryland, and if a court throws out a proposed 8-0 map, Democrats could be left with fewer seats, Ferguson has argued.

Gov. Wes Moore hasn’t slowed his push for his state to get involved, especially as the issue remains a top national topic. He launched a bipartisan redistricting commission last fall, and ultimately, the committee moved forward with the decision to redraw the political boundaries.

During the 2026 legislative session, Ferguson and other Senate Democrats resisted pressure to pass a new map, even after the House of Delegates passed it, and after a visit from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The change from Ferguson comes as other lawmakers – like Sen. Arthur Ellis – called for a special session to redistrict. During his news conference, Ellis was joined by Bobby LaPin who is challenging Ferugson in the upcoming primary.

Ellis is also eyeing another seat’ he’s running to fill the soon-to-be vacant congressional seat held by retiring U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer. When asked if the redistricting push was about campaigning, noting LaPain’s race as well, Ellis argued politicians are always on the ballot. However, he argued he’s been standing up for what he believes is wrong long before he launched his congressional bid.

“Well, it was about campaigning when I started my protest,” Ellis admitted. “Just because I am running for Congress, just because I am a sitting senator, just because I’m any of these things, doesn’t mean that I’m not American, and I shouldn’t stand up and speak up for something that needs to be done.”

While Moore and some of his allies continue to push for a new map this year, it’s not clear the appetite is there. Instead, it’s possible a special session is called for lawmakers to return to Annapolis and pass a constitutional amendment, that if approved by voters in November, could clear the way for a new map to be passed by the General Assembly next year.

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