Baltimore County Council Releases Proposed Redistricting Map

By FOX45
Posted on 08/05/25 | News Source: FOX45

Baltimore, MD - Aug. 5, 2025 - The Baltimore County Council announced the introduction of legislation to adopt a redistricting plan and map.

After a 2024 ballot question expanded the County Council from seven districts to nine, a redistricting commission was formed in December to recommend legislation for revision of the districts in a way that ensures they are "compact, contiguous, and substantially equal in population, and in which due regard is given to current natural, geographic, and community boundaries.”

The new map includes two majority-Black districts centered around Woodlawn and Randallstown, as well as unifying Essex, Middle River, and waterfront communities into one district..

“Redistricting is a difficult and complex task and I want to thank my Council colleagues for their hard work and dedication in preparing the redistricting map. It takes at least five votes to adopt a redistricting bill, and coming together on a final map means a willingness to compromise and achieve a bipartisan consensus,” Council Chairman Mike Ertel said. “The map we introduced today is a testament to that spirit of cooperation, while still adhering to legal requirements and traditional redistricting principles.”

The redistricting commission reportedly received over 1,000 public comments as it worked through the process, which included several public hearings and meetings and the commission of several draft maps.

The commission submitted its final report and recommendation to the County Council on June 17.

A public hearing was then held on July 8 by the County Council to hear feedback from the community on the proposed map.

The statement announcing the final proposal emphasized that "creating Baltimore County's first nine-district map has been a community-wide process."

“I echo the Chairman’s comments, and I also want to thank the most important people involved in this process – our constituents," Councilman David Marks said. "The map we introduced this evening is the product of what they told us they wanted – a map that is not gerrymandered and that keeps communities together.”

Two public hearings will be held by the County Council on the legislation and map so that members of the public may provide additional feedback. They will take place August 26 and September 9, both at 4 p.m. during Council Work Sessions. Comments may also be submitted via email to countycouncil@baltimorecountymd.gov.

The legislation and map are scheduled for final adoption during the Legislative Session on September 15 at 6 p.m.