ANNAPOLIS, Md — In a special session that lasted two days Maryland Democrats passed legislation that puts a constitutional amendment before the voters which makes it easier for the congressional maps to be redrawn.
Republicans tried to filibuster and slow down the process. House members of the minority party tied the bill up for several hours Monday evening.
Republicans in the Senate were limited in debate by the Democratic super majority to just 120 minutes total of discussion.
"Provided that not more than 60 minutes should be allocated to the proponents and more than 60 minutes allocated to the opponents of such a bill," said Senator Nancy King announcing the limitation.
Democrats argue the legislation is a response to other states redrawing their lines to give Republicans an advantage in House of Representative races.
They add the constitutional amendment would return them to the map making standard the state used for 150 years.
"It had been 150 years with no judge ever coming up with this conclusion that Maryland's constitution governs congressional redistricting first time that happened was in the 2020's so it just happened a few years ago so here we are trying to shut the door on future misinterpretation by Maryland judges," said Delegate David Moon, a Democrat from Montgomery county.
Republicans are now looking to fight the legislation in court and try to get people to vote against the measure in November.
"I would fully expect to see something probably as early as Wednesday," said Senator Steve Hershey.
Voters will decide its fate in November if it passes the legal challenge.
