Judge Rules in Favor of Fair Maps in Maryland Redistricting Lawsuit
Fair Maps Maryland today released the following statement from spokesman Doug Mayer in response to Judge Lynne A. Battaglia ruling in favor of the plaintiffs in the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court case Szeliga vs. Lamone:
“To call this a big deal would be the understatement of the century. Judge Battaglia’s ruling confirms what we have all known for years—Maryland is ground zero for gerrymandering, our districts and political reality reek of it, and there is abundant proof that it is occurring. Marylanders have been fighting for free and fair elections for decades and for the first time in our state’s shameful history of gerrymandering, we are at the precipice of ending it.
“Not only did the judge rule in favor of our plaintiffs, but she confirmed that there is Maryland state law that applies to partisan gerrymandering, something the Attorney General’s office vigorously argued against. This would be massive news in its own right but combined with a favorable ruling, it’s a political earthquake.
“For nearly eight years, Governor Hogan has done everything in his power to bring this issue to light while repeatedly seeking a common sense compromise with the leadership of the General Assembly. And for nearly eight years they refused to compromise with the governor, so now they get the cold hard reality of a court of law instead.
“This is a win for democracy, plain and simple.”
VIEW THE RULING
Governor Larry Hogan today issued the following statement:
“For nearly eight years, we have been fighting to end the gerrymandering monopoly that has for too long been a shameful legacy of our state. This ruling is a monumental victory for every Marylander who cares about protecting our democracy, bringing fairness to our elections, and putting the people back in charge. It puts in plain view the partisan, secretive, and rigged process that led to the legislature’s illegal and unconstitutional maps.
“I call on the General Assembly to immediately pass the independent Citizens Redistricting Commission maps that were written with accountability and transparency.
“This is an historic milestone in our fight to clean up the political process in our state, and ensure that the voices of the people we are elected to serve are finally heard.”
