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 Maryland Manual On-Line, 2020

July 31, 2020

Note: In this past edition of Maryland Manual, some links are to external sites. View the current Manual

MARYLAND & THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION DISTRICTS

[photo, U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC]
  • 2012-2020
  • 2002-2010
  • 1992-2000


    U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC, November 2016. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    [photo, U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC] Every two years, voters elect one representative from each of Maryland's eight congressional election districts to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives (Code Election Law Article, secs. 8-701 through 8-711).

    After each federal census, Congress determines the number of representatives for each state based on population (U.S. Constitution, Art. 1, sec. 2). Following the 2010 federal census, Maryland retained eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.

    U.S. Capitol (west view), Washington, DC, March 2004. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    [photo, Cannon House Office Building, Independence Ave., Washington, DC] Boundaries of Maryland's congressional election districts are defined by legislation enacted by the General Assembly. These boundaries have changed over time, and they continue to change. Redistricting enacted by the General Assembly in 2011 changed the congressional election districts prior to the General Election of November 6, 2012, and has applied to general elections thereafter.


    Cannon House Office Building, Independence Ave., Washington, DC, December 2017. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    [photo, Rayburn House Office Building, Independence Ave., Washington, DC] Local boards of elections are empowered to redefine precinct boundaries but cannot alter the election districts or wards designated by the Legislature. Consequently, boundaries defined by law for some congressional election districts may have undergone changes at the precinct level between enactments of the General Assembly (Code Election Law Article, secs. 2-201 through 2-207).


    Rayburn House Office Building, Independence Ave., Washington, DC, February 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.

    Precinct boundaries are dynamic. Changes are made to reflect population shifts and to ensure convenient polling places for all voters. Local boards of elections can provide current information on precincts encompassed within each district.

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