Maryland Voters Will Decide Question 3 This November

The constitutional amendment regarding congressional districting appears on the November 3, 2026, ballot.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Elections

Maryland Voters Will Decide Question 3 This November

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Should the state simplify complex ballot language to ensure voters understand their choices?

Maryland voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to decide on Question 3, a constitutional amendment concerning congressional redistricting. Following legal challenges in Anne Arundel and Dorchester counties, the state Supreme Court ordered the use of replacement ballot language to describe the initiative's purpose.

Why it matters

Proponents aim to amend the state constitution to allow the General Assembly to redraw district maps, potentially altering the 1st District to favor the Democratic Party. If approved, the new lines could be implemented in time for the 2028 election cycle.

A poll by the University of Maryland-Baltimore County Institute of Politics found 53% of respondents oppose the measure, while 25% support it. Fight Back Maryland is currently spending $700,000 on an advertising campaign to support the initiative's passage.

The players

Wes Moore

Wes Moore is the Governor of Maryland who supports the passage of Question 3.

Dan Cox

Dan Cox is a candidate who opposes the implementation of Question 3.

Fight Back Maryland

Fight Back Maryland is an advocacy group spending $700,000 to promote the passage of the redistricting initiative.

Maryland Supreme Court

The Maryland Supreme Court is the judicial body that ordered replacement language for the ballot measure.

The details

The ballot language was originally derived from the purpose paragraph of legislation signed by the governor in August 2026. Campaign efforts for the measure include mailers and advertisements across television, social media, and streaming services.

August 2026: The governor signed the redistricting legislation.
October 2026: UMBC released a poll on voter opinion regarding Question 3.
November 3, 2026: Voters will decide on the ballot initiative.
2028: Redrawn congressional district lines could take effect if the measure passes.

Political Context

Opponents of Question 3, including candidate Dan Cox, argue that the redistricting process should remain independent of partisan influence. Recent polling suggests 57% of voters believe partisan redistricting should not occur, setting the stage for significant resistance to the amendment.

If Question 3 passes, it will change the constitutional authority of the General Assembly to redraw district maps, directly impacting how residents are represented in Congress. Voters should review the court-ordered ballot language to understand how the changes may affect the 2028 election cycle.

The takeaway

Voters should carefully examine the specific, court-mandated language on the ballot to understand the full scope of the redistricting proposal. Understanding these changes is critical to knowing how legislative power over congressional mapping may shift after the election.