Bethesda and Chevy Chase residents who want a say in how Maryland draws its congressional maps have until 6 p.m. Friday, July 31, to sign up to testify before the General Assembly.
The stakes are local: Rep. Jamie Raskin's 8th Congressional District sits entirely within Montgomery County, covering Bethesda, Chevy Chase, Potomac and Takoma Park.
A proposed constitutional amendment, HB2100/SB2100, would amend the state constitution so that "compact and contiguous" standards apply only to state legislative districts, not congressional ones, potentially opening the door to a redrawn map that reshapes representation across the state.
Only 50 people will be allowed to speak at a joint House and Senate election committee hearing scheduled for noon Monday, August 3, in Annapolis, according to Montgomery Community Media. Each speaker gets two minutes, in person at the State House or via Zoom. If more than 50 sign up, committee chairs will choose who testifies. Written testimony can be submitted regardless.
To register, residents must create a MyMGA account at mgaleg.maryland.gov and sign up between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, July 31.
What the bill does
The bill is not a new congressional map. Filed by House Speaker Joseline Peña-Melnyk (D-Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties) and Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City), it would amend the state constitution to clarify that "compact and contiguous" standards apply only to state legislative districts. Congressional districts would still have to meet federal equal-population requirements.
Opposition and support
The amendment has drawn sharp opposition from Republican lawmakers. Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey said on July 29 that the process amounted to "malpractice," criticizing the 50-witness cap and the short public notice period.
"It is shocking how little information has been available, not just to the members, but to the general public," Hershey told WBAL-TV.
State Sen. Bryan Simonaire (R-Anne Arundel County) launched a statewide ad campaign calling the measure "Maryland's Voter Suppression Act of 2026," WYPR reported.
Democrats frame the effort as a response to Republican-led redistricting in other states. Gov. Wes Moore has backed the push, and Ferguson said on July 7 that recent court decisions had weakened the federal Voting Rights Act and created new uncertainty around congressional redistricting, according to Politico. Ferguson had previously opposed redistricting for 2026 but changed his position after the U.S. Supreme Court weakened the Voting Rights Act in late April.
Raskin, who serves as ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, has publicly advocated for the state to redraw its congressional lines.
What's next
The special session runs Monday, August 3, through Wednesday, August 5. If the amendment clears both chambers, Bethesda-area voters will see the question on their November ballot. Residents who miss Friday's testimony deadline can still submit written comments through the General Assembly's website.
