Annapolis, MD Senator Steve Waugh (R-St. Mary’s & Calvert Counties) announced today he has been appointed to the Redistricting Reform Commission recently created by Governor Larry Hogan. Senator Waugh stated, “Everyone agrees redistricting is broken. Governor Hogan wants it fixed. I’m honored he chose me to do the job.”
The Commission, created by Executive Order earlier this month, fulfills a commitment by Governor Hogan to address Maryland’s redistricting process. In addition to Senator Waugh, the Commission is comprised of members from the House and Senate as well as representatives from policy research, voter, and government reform organizations. According to the Governor’s press release announcing the creation of the Commission, part of the duties and responsibilities of the Commission include reviewing approaches of other states that have established independent, nonpartisan redistricting commissions. At least one public hearing will be held in each region of the state to allow Marylanders to submit their ideas on redistricting reform. In addition, a Web page, http://governor.maryland.gov/redistricting-reform/, has been established so citizens may submit their input online to the Commission. Based on the findings of the Commission, a report will be submitted to the Governor, Senate President, and Speaker of the House no later than November 3, 2015. Additionally, the Commission will give a recommendation for a constitutional amendment on congressional and legislative redistricting that will be introduced as legislation during the 2016 legislative session of the Maryland General Assembly.
Senator Waugh further stated, “Redistricting is about fair districts that represent communities so that they can choose their politicians; not the other way around. Even liberals acknowledge that Democratic partisanship has been deplorable. Let’s make non-partisanship tolerable – even admirable.”
