Maryland Senate President Reverses on Mid-Decade Redistricting

Bill Ferguson, who had blocked Democrats’ redistricting push for months, now says the chamber will pursue a constitutional amendment.

The Maryland State Capitol Building is seen in Annapolis 23 November 2007 33 miles (53kms) east of Washington, DC. Forty-nine nations, organizations and individuals have been invited to attend the US-sponsored international Middle East conference November 26-28 in Annapolis, according to US State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. US President George W. Bush will host the international conference to launch the Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations, following a seven-year freeze. AFP PHOTO/Jim WATSON Photo credit should read JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson said the state Senate intends to advance a constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade congressional redistricting, reversing his months-long opposition.

He cited a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in April that limited the use of race in drawing district lines, as a result of which several states redrew districts.