Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
Maryland’s Congressional Redistricting Finalizes…Or Does It
Last week, a special Maryland General Assembly session was held to vote for the decennial (every 10 years) congressional redistricting maps. The Democratic majority in the Senate approved a map drawn by the Legislative Redistricting Advisory Committee versus the map submitted by the Governor-appointed Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission, a bipartisan committee made of three Republicans, three Democrats, and three unaffiliated voters.
The map approved by Senate received a letter grade of “F” by the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, which evaluates political gerrymandering in all 50 states. “We bridge the gap between mathematics and the law to achieve fair representation through redistricting reform,” states the Princeton University project’s website. Conversely, the independently drawn map submitted by Governor Hogan received a letter grade “A.” On Wednesday, Hogan quickly vetoed the Senate’s map, in a move that is mostly symbolic, as the Senate holds a 32-15 veto-proof majority. The House of Delegates also quickly voted to override Hogan’s veto. Legal appeals are likely to occur before the map becomes law.
Our questions to you:
Have you compared the maps and, if so, which would do you prefer?
Do you think Governor Hogan’s attempt to submit a “fair and more contiguous” map is genuinely bipartisan in nature?
Do you think the Democrats of Maryland’s General Assembly are acting in the best interests of their constituents?
Here’s what you said:
This is the state of our current political system, special interests, partisan politics, and gerrymandering seem to be the theme. Until every politician stops the pandering and self-interest motivated legislating, we will never be able to get back to a great nation again. The middle is where the real work gets done, which reflects common sense laws and policies that promote the most good for the most people. This extreme left and right stuff has to stop. The Senate’s redistricting maps should be thrown out and the governors maps should be adopted. Stacking the deck in either party's favor does not represent fair elections, and results in voter apathy and disparate treatment for the losing party's constituents.
Jason S., Pasadena
Since it's become such a divisive topic, Marylanders should vote on it. I don't want politicians deciding whether or not my vote will count.
Jeanne Ramsey, Stevensville
Given our geography, it is pretty hard to imagine boundaries that meet population and diversity mandates different than proposed. The boundaries will always be weird. And counties chopped up would put experienced current legislators at risk. The GOP have been masters at controlling favorable boundaries. Western Maryland had a Republican, Charles Mathias. The Eastern Shore has a representative that matches their conservative philosophy. The GOP needs to sell the public on their values if they want election. Carroll and Harford County are strong local conservative counties. The current configuration is fair despite Princeton. It matches local public interest, and a fair majority public voice representation.
Ellen Moyer, Annapolis
I only approve of Governor Hogan's map. This is fair and needs to be approved. Shame on the Democrats for rigging the political climate to only their favor. Please represent the people and not yourself! F rating to be approved is a joke. Anyone would want an A rating over an F rating...
Bonnie Fleishman, Pasadena
Seems greedy to draw a map so obviously designed to get every last seat at every level of government to be held by a Democrat. We wouldn't stand for a school bus route to be laid out in such a manner or school district boundaries to be draw to get all the best athletes assigned to one school.
Matthew Hauser, Catonsville
Prefer Governor's map. It is bi-partisan.
Melvin Kelly, Severn
I prefer the map put forth by Governor Hogan. Yes, I think the Governor's map is bipartisan in nature. I do not think that the Democrats are acting in the best interest of their constituents. I do think they are acting in their own best interest.
Nancy Hill, Annapolis
The non-partisan commission drew up a fair and equitable map with representation across the political spectrum. The self-righteous in Annapolis who are supposed to be representing all of Maryland decided to take it upon themselves to stack the deck in their favor representing one ideology and ignore a significant portion of the population. WAKE UP MARYLAND. We are better than this. Essentially the system is now rigged. The party which tells you it's all about fairness and equal opportunity has just stolen that from people in the state and we are now the laughing stock of the country. Well done everyone. Well done.
Craig Anonson, Crofton
