Maryland's 'Praying Mantis' District Among Worst in Gerrymandering

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Maryland’s unwieldy Third Congressional District is drawing national notoriety – or maybe infamy -- as one of the most gerrymandered in the country.

The district, held by Democratic Congressman John Sarbanes, cuts a swath through parts of Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Howard County, Montgomery County and Anne Arundel County. Cities within the district include Annapolis, Towson, Glen Burnie, Odenton, Burtonsville, and Olney, to name a few.

Gerrymander is the process of legislators drawing odd-shaped district boundaries to favor the political party in power. Democrats in Maryland have taken the blame for the current districts, but both parties engage in the practice, say critics.

Just last month, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously that a Maryland man’s lawsuit may proceed; he claims the state’s congressional redistricting plan was unconstitutionally gerrymandered.

The Washington Post reports Steve Shapiro filed suit on behalf of himself and others challenging the state’s redistricting after the 2010 Census. The state’s Democratic politicians redrew Congressional boundaries to make it easier for Democrats to win in seven of the state’s eight districts.

The Post’s Wonkblog has created an interactive map for the whole country, but bestows the dubious distinction to Maryland and North Carolina for having the worst gerrymandered maps of all. Says the blog, in part:

“Maryland is proof that gerrymandering isn’t just a Republican pastime, as the state’s Democrats redrew those boundaries in 2012. The standout in that state is the 3rd Congressional district, which is the nation’s second-most gerrymandered and home to Democratic congressman John Sarbanes.”

The blog dubs the Third District’s shape The Praying Mantis.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has called for a constitutional amendment that would create an independent panel with Republican and Democratic appointees to redraw district lines.

“The fact is that an overwhelming majority of Marylanders favor an independent, nonpartisan panel for redistricting over the existing biased process,” Hogan said, according to the Washington Times.

»Screenshot of Third District map from Congressman Sarbanes website