Dear Friends,   

    Every 10 years, the Governor of Maryland proposes a new legislative district map that readjusts the legislative boundaries that corresponds with population changes determined by each Census. In 2012, Governor O'Malley introduced a radical redrawing of Carroll County's legislative redistricting lines that would greatly impact our community.

   According to 2010 Census data, Carroll County grew at a rate of 10.8% while the rest of the state grew at 9%. Normally, this would mean that there is no justification to alter our county's legislative boundaries. However, the Governor's plan takes the four Delegate districts that were once completely within Carroll County's boundaries and replaces them with a 3 member district within county boundaries. The remaining population, approximately 25% of Carroll County residents, is divided into two shared districts that have a majority of residents outside of our county.

   While the Carroll County House Delegation would theoretically grow from four members to eight members, only three of those members will be Carroll County residents. The town of Mt. Airy and surrounding areas, including Winfield, will be represented by Frederick County Delegates. The town of Sykesville will be separated from a large portion of the Eldersburg region with MD Route 26 serving as the new legislative boundary. The 26,062 residents living south of the boundary will be represented by Howard County Delegates.

Some redistricting facts:

* Carroll County has had four (4) Delegates for over 30 years

* Two of Carroll County's largest growth areas, Eldersburg/Sykesville and Mt. Airy, will be represented by Delegates and Senators from other counties.

* The Town of Sykesville would be the only municipality in the proposed Carroll County/Howard County district.

* The proposed Carroll County/Howard County district would include the Springfield Hospital Center, one of the largest employers in Carroll County.

* The proposed Carroll County/Howard County district would include the Warfield Commerce Center, the largest economic development project in Carroll County in partnership with the State of Maryland.

* Mt. Airy and Western Carroll County has been part of a single member district for over 30 years.

* It is difficult for legislators to adequately represent the needs of two different counties.

   Article 3, section 4 of the Maryland Constitution requires legislative districts to be substantially equal in population, compact in form, and contiguous. It also requires a legislative redistricting plan to give "due regard" to the boundaries of political subdivisions. Generally, this means that county, city, and other municipal boundaries should be left intact whenever possible. Article 3 also requires public hearings to be held before the state legislative plan is enacted. It is clear that the Governor's Redistricting Plan violates these considerations.

   The Carroll County House Delegation's interpretation of the Maryland Constitution is reinforced by a recent court opinion. During a case hearing arguments regarding the 2011 Congressional Redistricting, Judge Roger Titus stated that a redistrict proposal is inappropriate if voters "have seen their right to fair and effective representation compromised by having their community of interests ignored." Communities, such as Sykesville, Eldersburg, and Winfield, believe that the Governor's Legislative Redistricting does just that. 

   Past Maryland redistricting maps have been tossed out and replaced by Maryland courts because of similar problems to those that can be found in the Governor's proposal. Many Carroll communities will lose their traditional forms of representation and suffer as a result, but this map will pass unless you make your voices heard in Annapolis.

You can email your opinions and concerns to:

Freedom Area Citizens' Council