Fact: Maryland is the most gerrymandered state in the union.
Fact: You can and should do something to stop it.
The Oxford American Dictionary defines gerrymandering as: the manipulation of an electoral constituency's boundaries so as to favor one party or class.
In other words, to cheat.
Gerrymandering is neither one-sided - both Republicans and Democrats engage in the practice - nor a novel concept. Its history pre-dates America, but the word itself was born in 1812, when Governor Elbridge Gerry approved a laughably skewed district map in Massachusetts, and the Boston Gazette used the lines to create a political cartoon of a fearsome monster called the Gerry-Mander!
But nowadays, the creature has multiplied, and taken up residence in almost every state in the Republic. Maryland's version is the most fearsome of all!
Such is the contorted nature of this "beast" that many Marylanders feel it has completely wiped away their voting voice. But this wasn't enough for the Maryland legislature, who, in the latest redrawing of the district maps ordered by the Maryland Constitution, skewed the lines even further.
An outcry arose from the populace, and the governor presented his own maps to counter the legislature's. Maryland citizens were also allowed to submit their own suggested maps, and to give testimony. The legislature's commission was a closed session, and no testimony or opinions were taken.
When the gerrymandered maps were approved despite protestations, the citizens of Maryland who wanted fair and equal elections, particularly the group Fair Maps Maryland, sued the legislature. After several days of dispute, on March 25, 2022, the court ruled against the gerrymandered maps, saying,
"The limitation of the undue extension of power by any branch of government must be exercised to ensure that the will of the people is heard, no matter under which political placard those governing reside. The 2021 Congressional Plan is unconstitutional and subverts the will of those governed."
The judge sent the maps back to the General Assembly to be redrawn in accordance with the Maryland Constitution. Despite protestations from the Attorney General and General Assembly, the maps were redrawn, and have just been signed by Governor Hogan.
When one compares the old, skewed map to the one brought about by citizen's taking action for their rights and liberty, one can clearly see how such action is of the utmost importance to preserve our nation. Had delegates like Kathy Szeliga, Fair Maps Maryland, an organization with goals similar to COSA, and thousands of concerned citizens across Maryland not stood up and made their voices heard, the gerrymandering would have continued.
This is a great victory for the Free State, and we must continue the fight for freedom and self-governance with Convention of States. Remember that the vicious Gerry-mander and other beasts like it are always crouching at the door, waiting for the right environment of complacency and fear in which to flourish.
