STATUS: 53,566 VALID SIGNATURES // 55,736 NEEDED (5,456 LEFT TO VERIFY)
Maryland's Republican activists are on the verge of validating enough signatures to subject the state's new Congressional districts to a repeal referendum. This is a strange twist in the formation of our new political boundaries, as we may see yet another GOP-led referendum on the ballot this November. The Dream Act and marriage equality repeal efforts both earned enough petition signers to make it onto the ballot, and it appears the redistricting challenge may be following close behind.
The State Board of Elections is just about done with its signature-validation efforts (see current totals below). They've checked out 60,266 signatures out of 65,722 submitted by opponents of Maryland's 2012 Congressional districts. The GOP activists have so far gathered 53,566 valid signatures, but they need to reach 55,736 -- so they are 2,170 signatures away. There are 5,456 signatures left to verify, and Maryland Juice thinks that is ample wiggle room to find the remaining signatures they need.
What happens next? I assume someone will consider a legal challenge to the idea that Maryland's Congressional districts are able to be repealed at the ballot. But if not, others are suggesting that giving the Democratic-controlled State another chance at crafting a re-districting plan may further harm Republicans. After all, at the time the current map was created, John Delaney's residence was not contemplated. Now, Democrats can build the 6th Congressional District around their nominee, and begin to chip away at Tea Party Rep. Andy Harris' 1st District GOP stronghold. We shall see! In the meantime, see the current Board of Elections results below:
Maryland Redistricting Challenge - Signature Validation Status - 7/10/12
Maryland's Republican activists are on the verge of validating enough signatures to subject the state's new Congressional districts to a repeal referendum. This is a strange twist in the formation of our new political boundaries, as we may see yet another GOP-led referendum on the ballot this November. The Dream Act and marriage equality repeal efforts both earned enough petition signers to make it onto the ballot, and it appears the redistricting challenge may be following close behind.
The State Board of Elections is just about done with its signature-validation efforts (see current totals below). They've checked out 60,266 signatures out of 65,722 submitted by opponents of Maryland's 2012 Congressional districts. The GOP activists have so far gathered 53,566 valid signatures, but they need to reach 55,736 -- so they are 2,170 signatures away. There are 5,456 signatures left to verify, and Maryland Juice thinks that is ample wiggle room to find the remaining signatures they need.
What happens next? I assume someone will consider a legal challenge to the idea that Maryland's Congressional districts are able to be repealed at the ballot. But if not, others are suggesting that giving the Democratic-controlled State another chance at crafting a re-districting plan may further harm Republicans. After all, at the time the current map was created, John Delaney's residence was not contemplated. Now, Democrats can build the 6th Congressional District around their nominee, and begin to chip away at Tea Party Rep. Andy Harris' 1st District GOP stronghold. We shall see! In the meantime, see the current Board of Elections results below:
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