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Proposed Congressional Redistricting Map Moves Davidsonville, Parts of Edgewater into PG District

Every ten years, all 50 states remap their congressional districts to make adjustments due to population shifts.

 

Parts of Davidsonville, Edgewater, Severna Park, Broadneck, Pasadena, and Crofton may all find themselves in different congressional districts if a plan proposed by the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee (GRAC) is approved.

The plan moves the Broadneck peninsula and parts of Severna Park from the mostly Republican District 1, represented by Rep. Andy Harris (R) to the mostly Democrat District 4, represented by Rep. Donna Edwards (D).

The plan also splits Pasadena between District 4 and District 3, represented by Rep. John Sarbanes (D).

Additionally, Edgewater, west of Route 2 from Route 214 north to the South River Bridge will join District 4, while the South County area south of Route 214, west of Route 424 and east of Route 2 will join District 5, along with Crofton. District 5 is represented by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D).

Public comments on the plan will be accepted through Oct. 11. Comments may be sent by email (Redistricting2011@mdp.state.md.us), via hard-copy (Redistricting 2011; Maryland Department of Planning; 11th Floor; 301 W. Preston St,; Baltimore, MD 21201; ATTN: Linda Janey) or submitted online.

Gov. Martin O’Malley will consider the proposed plan and will introduce his own plan to the General Assembly during its special session on Oct. 17.

While the plan affects parts of the county, more than 70 percent of state residents will remain in their current congressional districts, according to the advisory committee.

The shifts reflect population changes over the past 10 years reflected in the Census, according to the advisory committee.

“Also, in contrast to the common practice in other States, the proposed map does not draw any incumbent Congressman out of his or her district. Each district conforms to the ideal Congressional district adjusted population of 721,529 residents,” the committee’s website states.

Incumbent

Old District

New District

District 1:
Andy Harris (R)

Broadneck
Severna Park
Pasadena

No parts of Anne Arundel County

District 2:
Dutch Ruppersberger (D)

Green Haven
Glen Burnie
Ft. Meade

Ft. Meade
295 Corridor between Howard and AA

District 3:
John Sarbanes (D)

Annapolis
Towson (BC)
Cockeysville (BC)

Parts of Annapolis (historic areas)
Parts of Broadneck
Parts of Glen Burnie
Parts of Rivera Beach

District 4:
Donna Edwards (D)

None of Anne Arundel County

Edgewater (East of 424, West of 2 from 214 north to South River Bridge)
Severna Park
Pasadena
Crownsville

Millersville

District 5: Steny Hoyer (D)

Edgewater
Davidsonville
Laurel
Parts of Crofton

South County (S of 214, west of 424, east of 2)
Crofton

Editor's Note: This article has been changed to correct Steny Hoyer's political party.

  • Do You Approve of the Congressional Remap as Drawn?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes
        2 (2%)
    • No
        66 (97%)
    Total votes: 68
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What do you like/dislike about the new congressional districts? Tell us in the comments.

Comment_arrow

Stephanie Burke

2:45 pm on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Indeed he is. The article has been corrected.

Jennifer S.

11:51 am on Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Mitchelle, I'm looking at the maps on the MD State website (mdp.state.md.us) and it looks like the Edgewater descriptions in this article are incorrect...
"Additionally, Edgewater, east of Route 2 from Route 214 north to the South River Bridge will join District 4" - this description would mean part of the Mayo peninsula (north of 214) would fall in District 4 while the other half would fall in District 5. But according to the map on the state website, all of the Mayo peninsula will stay together in District 5. The only parts that would move to District 4 appear to be west of route 2 and north of 214. Am I reading that map right on the state website?

Reply

Jim Davis

6:20 pm on Sunday, October 9, 2011

The bottom line is that Anne Arundel County is less represented in Congress than before. I doubt that any of our soon to be four "Representatives" could even find us, much less campaign here. As for Edgewater's new "Representative" living in Montgomery County ??????????

FWIW the process is called Gerrymandering and unfortunately it is as American as apple pie.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerrymandering.

Reply

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