ANNAPOLIS, Md. — With less than two weeks remaining until Election Day, a growing push among Maryland voters—including a substantial portion of Democrats—is taking aim at Question 3, a proposed constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting.
According to a University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) poll, 53% of likely voters oppose the measure, with only 25% supporting it. Significantly, a sizable fraction of the Democratic base aligns with the “No” camp. A survey breakdown showed that 42% of self-identified Democrats plan to vote “No” on Question 3, alongside 74% of Republicans and 59% of unaffiliated voters.
Opponents of Question 3, which includes reform-minded Democrats, independent watchdog groups, and civil rights advocates, point to several key concerns regarding the proposed amendment:
Resistance to Mid-Decade Gerrymandering: Opponents argue that stripping constitutional requirements for compact and contiguous districts undermines fair representation. A recent ad campaign organized by the political action committee Truth for Maryland actively encourages Marylanders to support Democratic candidates like Gov.Moore while simultaneously checking “No” on Question 3 to reject partisan gerrymandering.
Preserving Political Norms: Political analysts note that many voters oppose adopting mid-decade redistricting practices regardless of party. Matthew Crenson, professor emeritus of political science at Johns Hopkins University,observed that voters are resisting converting partisan redistricting tactics into permanent state norms.
Concerns Over Representation for Local Communities: Critics argue that altering map rules could disenfranchise regional interests, particularly on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, where Rep. Andy Harris currently serves as the sole Republican member of the state’s congressional delegation. Opponents caution that eliminating geographic constraints could allow the state legislature to carve up distinct regional communities for political advantage.
Question 3 faced significant legal hurdles before reaching voters. The Maryland Supreme Court ultimately ruled that the state board of elections had to rewrite the original ballot text because the initial framing was complex and misleading to voters.
As early voting continues, state Democratic leaders are continuing their ad push to rally party faithful. However, with a large share of Democratic voters joining independents and Republicans in opposition, Question 3 faces a steep uphill battle at the polls.
While top party leadership, including Gov. Wes Moore, U.S. Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, and former President Barack Obama, have heavily campaigned for a “Yes” vote to counter Republican redistricting efforts nationwide, recent polling indicates widespread opposition across party lines.
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