Freedom Caucus Calls Out Redistricting Commission for Friday Hearing
_Map courtesy of Maryland Department of Planning-
The Maryland Freedom Caucus is raising alarm over Governor Wes Moore’s partisan Redistricting Advisory Commission, arguing that the Commission’s process, including its decision to hold virtual public hearings, undermines transparency, accountability, and the constitutional rights of Marylanders to fair representation.
The Commission’s first public hearing is scheduled for Friday, November 14 at 4 p.m. via Zoom. Testimony will be limited to three minutes, and screen sharing is prohibited. Maryland Freedom Caucus members say this setup is an intentional effort to silence dissent and shield the Commission from direct voter scrutiny.
“If the Governor wants a truly fair process, then the Commission should meet the testifiers face-to-face,” said Delegate Ryan Nawrocki (R–Baltimore County).
“This virtual-only approach is discriminatory and unconstitutional. Redistricting midcycle, after voters have already chosen their representatives, is tantamount to disenfranchisement based on political affiliation. Wes Moore and the Democrats are proving they will not stop until they redraw Maryland to erase Republican voices.”
“This redistricting effort by Governor Wes Moore is living up to the kabuki theater we expected,” said Delegate Kathy Szeliga (R-Baltimore County).
“Scheduling a Zoom hearing on a Friday at 4 p.m. is intentionally inconvenient, just as people are finishing their work week and heading home to their families, not preparing for a multi-hour hearing.
Everyone knows that’s also the classic time to dump news the administration doesn’t want anyone to notice. This process is anything but accessible and transparent.”
The Maryland Freedom Caucus emphasized that redistricting outside of the decennial census cycle violates the spirit, and potentially the letter, of Maryland’s Constitution, which reserves such processes for population-based adjustments, not political convenience.
“This is a dangerous precedent,” the Caucus warned.
- “Changing district lines mid-cycle for partisan gain disenfranchises hundreds of thousands of Marylanders who voted under the current boundaries, stripping them of their voice and their vote.”
Marylanders who wish to offer verbal testimony or view the hearing may sign up at redistricting.maryland.gov.
