Republicans Sue New Map of Congress in Maryland – CBS Baltimore

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) – A group of Republican lawmakers and voters filed a lawsuit Thursday to block the implementation of the new congressional map of Maryland, arguing it is an extreme example of Democratic opposition. owner.

A group called Fair Maps Maryland filed the lawsuit in Annapolis on behalf of plaintiffs including Republican delegates Kathryn Szeliga and Christopher Adams. The lawsuit says the new maps passed by the state legislature earlier this month violate the state’s constitution by giving Democrats an unfair advantage.

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The legislature, which is overwhelmingly controlled by Democrats, rejected maps submitted by Republican Governor Larry Hogan based on the work of a citizen redistricting committee. The legislature’s maps were vetoed by Hogan, but the legislature vetoed his veto.

Democrats currently hold seven of the state’s eight congressional seats. Analysts say the maps approved by the legislature would give Democrats at least one shot to victory in the eighth district currently held by Republican Andy Harris.

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The maps proposed by Hogan would help Republicans win at least two counties.

The lawsuit filed Thursday comes a day after conservative legal group Jud Justice Watch filed a similar lawsuit.

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The suits defy the state constitutional maps; in 2019, the US Supreme Court ruled that claims of partisan gerrymandering are political questions that are beyond the reach of the federal courts.