Redistricting in Limbo After Council Rejects 2 Bills

The Anne Arundel County Council on Monday rejected two bills that would have redrawn district lines, creating uncertainty as candidates for the 2014 council elections prepare to file paperwork. 

The council was unable to muster the five votes needed to pass separate bills designed to address a population imbalance between District 1 and District 4. The failure to pass any bill came after county attorney David A. Plymyer warned that the county would be in violation of the state constitution if it did not redistrict. 

Those interested in running for Anne Arundel County Council in 2014 can enter the race as soon as April 9. Barring another effort by the council, some could enter without a clear idea of what district they would serve.

"The question is, what kind of chaos will this bring?" Plymyer said. 

The county attorney declined to speculate heavily on how the state would respond to the county's lack of action, but said it would open the county up to legal challenges.

Under state law, council districts must be balanced in terms of population, with a permitted deviation of 5 percent. Due to population shifts, District 4 is now considerably more populated than District 1. 

A redistricting plan presented by council member Chris Trumbauer (D-District 6) would have shifted one precinct from District 4 to District 1. Dubbed "the simple plan," it fell short of passage on a 4-3 vote, with Trumbauer joined by Dick Ladd (R-District 5), Peter Smith (D-District 1) and Jamie Benoit (D-District 4.)

A plan by council chairman Jerry Walker (R-District 7) was more ambitious, as it sought to turn all of District 7 into a so-called "rural district," while merging Crofton, Gambrills and the east half of Odenton into District 4.

District 1, meanwhile, would include the west half of Odenton, plus Severn and Fort Meade. Walker's plan was supported by John Grasso (R-District 2) and Derek Fink (R-District 3.) Ladd voted in favor of both plans. 

Trumbauer said he opposed Walker's plan partially because because it split some residents who were accustomed to being combined with Annapolis in his district. He previously had also expressed concern that it would take away waterfront from some districts.

There was a moment of levity when a confused Walker accidentally voted in favor of Trumbauer's bill. His vote would have allowed that bill to pass, but he was permitted to change his vote.

Business advocates in Odenton also opposed Walker's plan because it would split the town into two districts, potentially stalling progress in developing the Odenton Town Center. Odenton already has multiple representatives at the state level and in Congress.

"Odenton has struggled to find its political feet," said Claire Louder, president and CEO of the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce. "We have great concerns over what would happen if we were split in half."

See more:

• Redistricting Council Boundaries Could Reshape Politics in Anne Arundel