Pasadena May Face Congressional District Reassignment

Parts of Severna Park, Broadneck, Pasadena, Edgewater and Crofton may all find themselves in different congressional districts if a plan proposed by the Governor’s Redistricting Advisory Committee (GRAC) is approved.

The plan splits Pasadena between District 4 and District 3, represented by Rep. John Sarbanes (D).

The plan also moves the Broadneck peninsula and parts of Severna Park from the mostly Republican District 1, represented by Rep. Andy Harris (R) to the mostly Democrat District 4, represented by Rep. Donna Edwards (D).

Additionally, Edgewater, east of Route 2 from Route 214 north to the South River Bridge will join District 4, while the South County area south of Route 214, west of Route 424 and east of Route 2 will join District 5, along with Crofton. District 5 is represented by Rep. Steny Hoyer (D).

Public comments on the plan will be accepted through Oct. 11. Comments may be sent by email (Redistricting2011@mdp.state.md.us), via hard-copy (Redistricting 2011; Maryland Department of Planning; 11th Floor; 301 W. Preston St,; Baltimore, MD 21201; ATTN: Linda Janey) or submitted online.

Gov. Martin O’Malley will consider the proposed plan and will introduce his own plan to the General Assembly during its special session on Oct. 17.

While the plan affects parts of the county, more than 70 percent of state residents will remain in their current congressional districts, according to the advisory committee.

The shifts reflect population changes over the past 10 years reflected in the Census, according to the advisory committee.

“Also, in contrast to the common practice in other States, the proposed map does not draw any incumbent Congressman out of his or her district. Each district conforms to the ideal Congressional district adjusted population of 721,529 residents,” the committee’s website states.

Editor's Note: This story originally referred to Steny Hoyer as a Republican. He is a Democrat.