Maryland Voters Opposed Redistricting Amendment

A new poll reveals that a majority of Maryland likely voters intend to reject a proposed redistricting ballot measure.

Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting rows of heavy stone monoliths arranged on a plinth, representing political redistricting concepts. — A majority of likely Maryland voters plan to reject a proposed constitutional amendment that would grant lawmakers greater flexibility to redraw congressional district lines. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should state legislatures have the power to redraw congressional district boundaries?

A University of Maryland at Baltimore County survey released Wednesday shows 53% of likely voters plan to oppose the upcoming redistricting constitutional amendment. The measure, which appears on the November ballot, seeks to loosen rules for drawing congressional boundaries.

Why it matters

The amendment is designed to empower the state legislature to redraw House districts to potentially eliminate the state's lone Republican congressional seat. Proponents suggest this is a necessary move to counteract redistricting efforts by Republicans in other states ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The poll of 776 likely voters features a 3.5 percentage point margin of error. Support breakdown shows 42% of Democrats, 74% of Republicans, and 59% of unaffiliated voters oppose the measure.

The players

University of Maryland at Baltimore County

This is a public research university that conducts non-partisan polling on state political issues.

The details

The proposed constitutional change would grant lawmakers greater flexibility to reshape district lines within the state. If passed, it would provide a mechanism for the state legislature to alter district maps in a way that targets the state's remaining Republican congressional representative.

The University of Maryland at Baltimore County poll was released on Wednesday.
The redistricting constitutional amendment is scheduled for the November 2026 ballot.

Political Context

Opponents argue that the amendment undermines fair representation by politicizing the redistricting process to benefit one party. They contend that shifting boundaries purely to eliminate a seat sets a dangerous precedent for state-level legislative overreach.

The outcome of this vote will determine whether the Maryland legislature gains the authority to unilaterally redraw congressional districts. This change could directly impact which candidate voters see on their ballots in future federal cycles.

The takeaway

Voters across the political spectrum are currently signaling significant resistance to changes in how their congressional districts are formed. Residents should review the specific language of the constitutional amendment before casting their ballots in November.