Hold redistricting commission accountable

On Dec. 20, in the lead-up to Christmas, the Maryland Legislative Redistricting Advisory Commission released its proposed boundaries for new Maryland legislative districts. These proposals include a potential abuse of power right in our own backyard that would make Donald Trump himself proud.

The commission is charged with redrawing Maryland’s congressional and legislative election district maps. It is comprised of a majority of Democrats, including the leaders of the Maryland Senate and House of Delegates but also local representation from state Sen. Bryan Simonaire, an Anne Arundel County Republican. There are honorable public servants on the commission, so we should hope and expect that if they focus on this issue, it will be corrected in due course.

Under the current proposals, however, the boundaries would be bizarrely twisted to carve Severna Park into two legislative districts and hack into the Broadneck Peninsula exactly enough, as not done prior, to benefit one or two individuals. The primary purpose of this nefarious surgery would be to ensure incumbents Republican Rachel Munoz and Democrat Heather Bagnall do not face each other in a general election, despite the fact they live on the same peninsula. In other words, the current proposal prioritizes the political careers of two individuals above election integrity and the best interests of the residents of Severna Park and surrounding areas.

The Maryland Constitution Article III, Section 4, states that when constructing legislative districts, “[d]ue regard shall be given to natural boundaries and political subdivisions.” But the proposal disregards Broadneck Peninsula [i.e. natural boundary] and Severna Park [i.e. political subdivision] and gives due regard for the political careers of individuals above adherence to the constitution. Even if this is found not to be illegal, it would most certainly be an unethical abuse of the public trust. Unfortunately, and I mean that sincerely, a close examination reveals similar unethical proposals including that District 33 is carved into three to benefit incumbents and party insiders, but District 31 is kept whole for the same purpose all based on where incumbents live.

In the interest of full disclosure, I began to investigate these proposed maps when I learned that, after I filed to run for state delegate, I had been peculiarly gerrymandered out of legislative District 33 under the proposed boundaries. I would now be in District 31 despite the fact the house literally across the street from me, and the house two doors down from me, remain in District 33.

If the courts can’t curtail this corruption, then voters and political leaders must. Indeed, because this would benefit incumbents from both parties, we are faced with a real “rubber meets the road” test as to whether political leaders truly care about voters and election integrity or whether they are using it as a talking point to advance their own political careers.

If this proposal comes to pass it will be clear, incontrovertible proof that Governor Hogan is right that the Maryland General Assembly members cannot be trusted with drawing their own legislative maps because they will have proven unable to resist the temptation to attempt to rig the election in favor of themselves and their friends.

I implore you to contact elected officials and those running for office and demand they do something to stop this proposed corrupt abuse of power or, at the very least, make their position on this issue known on the record, so they can be judged accordingly. Regardless of your party affiliation, if we allow this assault on democracy to happen in Anne Arundel County, we are all Trumpers now!

Kevin Burke, Severna Park Democratic candidate for delegate in a District 33 or maybe District 31