Special Session Ordered for General Assembly

Maryland legislators will return to Annapolis Oct. 17 for a special session ordered by Gov. Martin O'Malley in an effort to pass legislation for the state's .

The proposed plan by the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee places residents in the Broadneck peninsula in multiple congressional districts. The proposal with counties on the Eastern Shore to the 4th District with areas in Prince George's County. In addition, the plan .

Delegate Cathy Vitale (R-Severna Park) sent an email to Patch to encourage county residents to attend the Oct. 17 special session that starts at 11 a.m.

"It is time that Anne Arundel county has congressional representation that reflects our community," Vitale wrote in the email. "The current proposals to further divide and disenfranchise our communities has already resulted in a lot of debate, now it is time to have our voices heard."

O'Malley issued an executive order Wednesday calling for the special session. Maryland must pass a congressional redistricting plan before the 2012 legislative session begins in order to hold the presidential primary on April 3, 2012.

“Every 10 years we create electoral districts from which our congressional representatives are to be elected based on census [data],” O’Malley said in a press release. “I look forward to working with Senate President Miller, House Speaker Busch and with the members of the General Assembly as we come together and work on passing legislation ensuring every citizen is fairly and accurately represented.”