As the Baltimore County Redistricting Commission approaches its June 13 deadline to recommend new council district boundaries, discussions intensify over ensuring fair representation for the county’s diverse population.
The commission, formed to propose revisions to the county’s council maps, has faced persistent scrutiny from voting rights advocates and civil rights groups who argue the redistricting process risks undermining Black and minority voting power.
This comes on the heels of ongoing litigation and public pressure following the 2022 federal court decision that found the county’s previous redistricting map violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting Black voting strength. In response, Baltimore County revised its maps, but many advocates argue the changes still fall short.
Photo caption: The ACLU’s proposed map. Districts 2, 3, and 4 would be Black-majority districts. (Photo courtesy of:The ACLU)
Maryland State Senator Charles E. Sydnor III, a member of the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus, called for fairer district boundaries:
“Baltimore County’s redistricting process must reflect the diversity of our population—not just in demographic terms but in ensuring that every community’s voice is fairly represented at the council table.”
Baltimore County taxpayers are now on the hook for nearly $1 million because of the County Council’s defense of a redistricting map which did not comply with the Voting Rights Act.
Depending on what a federal judge decides about legal fees, that cost to the county could eventually double.
The Baltimore County Branch of the NAACP, the American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland and others sued the county in December 2021. The original map had only one majority Black district for the seven-member council. African Americans make up about 30% of Baltimore County’s population.
U.S. District Court Judge Lydia Kay Griggsby threw out the original map and ordered the County Council to draw a new one.
That eventually led to a redrawn map which was accepted by the court in March 2022. It kept the majority Black district, but also has two minority-majority districts, meaning all minorities combined make up a majority of the voters in those two districts.
Map Proposals and Public Response
The commission has reviewed multiple map proposals, including the “Woodlawn C” plan, which suggests creating two majority-Black districts and one majority-minority district. Proponents argue that this configuration would enhance minority representation, while critics express concerns about potential voter dilution and the perpetuation of racial inequalities.
Photo caption: The “Woodlawn Approach” map creates two super Black majority districts. The second district would be more than 72% African American. The third would be more than 61%. (Photo Courtesy Of Keith Dorsey)
Another proposal, the “3-1-5” map, advocates for three majority-Black districts, one majority-minority district, and five majority-white districts, aiming for a more proportional reflection of the county’s demographics. Public hearings have revealed a spectrum of opinions, with some residents supporting the proposed maps for promoting diversity, and others criticizing them for potentially fragmenting communities or failing to ensure equitable representation.
Historical Context
Baltimore County’s redistricting challenges are part of a broader struggle in Maryland and across the United States to ensure equitable representation following the 2013 Shelby v. Holder Supreme Court decision, which invalidated key provisions of the Voting Rights Act, including preclearance requirements for jurisdictions with histories of voter suppression. Since then, counties like Baltimore have faced renewed pressure to uphold minority voting rights without federal oversight.
Redistricting in Baltimore County follows each decennial census, as mandated by Section 207 of the county charter. The process requires the formation of a redistricting commission to propose new district boundaries, with the County Council obligated to adopt a final plan by October 1, 2025. The commission must consider factors such as compactness, contiguity, population equality, and respect for natural and community boundaries.
In recent years, the county’s redistricting efforts have faced scrutiny. A 2022 federal court ruling found that the previous council map diluted Black voting power, leading to calls for maps that better reflect the county’s demographic composition, which is nearly 50% people of color.
Next Steps
The redistricting commission is expected to release its final proposals in the coming weeks. Advocates continue to call for transparency, community input, and maps that accurately reflect the county’s demographics and comply with federal law.
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