Del. Ready Supports Petition to Fight Congressional Redistricting

Del. Justin Ready, R-Carroll, Tuesday announced the launch of a referendum petition against the proposed congressional redistricting map on the ballot in November.

"I am proud to stand in support of this push to bring the congressional redistricting map to referendum so the people of Maryland can decide," said Ready. 

"The map, which passed in October, takes Carroll County out of its traditional pairing with Western Maryland and splits us into two congressional districts," he said. "So, Taneytown is in the same district as Ocean City and Westminster is connected to Silver Spring in a district that is shaped like the country of Thailand." 

The proposed map cuts the number of resident Carroll County delegates from four to three. 

The proposed redistricting would shift the boundaries for the 4th district, presently just in Carroll County, and redraw the lines to include both Carroll and Howard counties.

It moves the Town of Sykesville into a Howard County district and splits the Eldersburg Census Designated Place boundaries in half along Route 26, putting half the 26,062 population into a new three-member Carroll County District and half in a Howard County District across the Patapsco River.

"This proposal leaves two of our largest growth areas, the Eldersburg and Sykesville area, and Mount Airy, represented by delegates from other counties and no resident senator or delegate from Carroll County," said Del. Susan Krebs, R-Carroll, in an earlier Patch article. 

"Past experience shows us the challenges for a legislator to represent two different counties," said Krebs in a letter asking for the map to retain four resident delegates in Carroll County.

"Our population easily supports this reapportionment and it gives due regard to political boundaries including our two municipalities."

Those interested in signing the petition or getting involved in signature-gathering can do so by visiting www.MDPetitions.com.