ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Nine Republican lawmakers and an attorney filed a lawsuit on Aug. 6 challenging Maryland’s new congressional redistricting amendment, arguing the measure was not legally eligible to appear on the November ballot.
The lawsuit, filed in Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, asks a judge to block the State Board of Elections from placing the question before voters Nov. 3.
The plaintiffs include seven House Republicans — Del. Matt Morgan, R-District 29; Del. Robin Grammer Jr., R-District 6; Del. Kathy Szeliga, R-District 7; Del. Brian Chisholm, R-District 31; Del. Mark Fisher, R-District 27B; Del. Lauren Arikan, R-District 7; and Del. Ryan Nawrocki, R-District 7 — along with Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, R-District 36, and Senate Minority Whip Justin Ready, R-District 5.
Michael L. Howell, an attorney with the Oversight Project, is also listed as a plaintiff. The complaint says all 10 plaintiffs are suing as Maryland residents and registered voters.
The lawsuit focuses heavily on the timing of the amendment.
The General Assembly passed House Bill 2100 on Aug. 4, and Gov. Wes Moore signed it Aug. 5. The plaintiffs argue that state law had already established deadlines for certifying and submitting statewide ballot questions before the amendment became law.
The complaint points to a July 1 deadline for certification and another requirement involving notice to the State Board of Elections by the first Monday in August.
“The General Assembly did not pass, and Defendant Governor Moore did not approve, the proposed amendment until August 5, 2026,” the lawsuit states.
The plaintiffs also challenge language added to the bill saying the question would be placed on the November ballot “notwithstanding any other provision of law.” They argue that provision conflicts with existing election laws and was not properly presented to voters.
The complaint raises several other legal arguments, including whether the legislation complied with constitutional requirements for passing laws and whether the amendment improperly addresses multiple subjects.
The Republicans also challenge the ballot language, arguing voters would not be given enough information to understand the practical effect of approving or rejecting the amendment.
The lawsuit describes the special session’s legislative process as moving with “unseemly haste.”
The legal challenge seeks to stop an amendment supporters say is needed to give Maryland more flexibility if other states redraw their congressional districts.
Gov. Moore stated in an announcement that Maryland cannot afford to be “caught flat-footed” while other states pursue mid-decade redistricting, arguing the state needs the ability to respond to changes elsewhere.
The lawsuit does not ask the court to draw a new congressional map. Instead, the plaintiffs are asking the court to prevent the amendment from reaching voters and for an expedited decision because of the November election.
If the challenge fails, Maryland voters will decide whether to approve the constitutional amendment Nov. 3.
For now, the question is whether the amendment will make it that far.
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