A suite of legislation put forward by Councilmember Zeke Cohen in the Baltimore City Council aims to make the city’s redistricting process less political and give residents more say. Voters could decide whether they want a civilian commission to handle how their councilmanic districts are drawn if a proposed charter amendment is successful.
It follows months of tumultuous conflict between the city’s council and Mayor Brandon Scott over the most recent redistricting efforts.
Currently, the mayor creates a map that is then sent to the council for feedback. While the council can suggest amendments, and even create their own map, the process is in the mayor’s hands: he or she has the power to veto any proposed map or amendments. The time period is also tight. City charter requires a map to be passed within 60 days of its introduction.
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