Perry Hall Councilman Speaks Out On Redistricting Maps

PERRY HALL, MD — The Baltimore County Council is considering how to redraw its districts. Two maps were presented at the council's Monday night meeting.

Baltimore County Councilman David Marks, whose district includes Perry Hall, issued a statement Tuesday indicating support for the first map and encouraging citizens to be aware of an upcoming work session on the topic.

One map would unite White Marsh and Perry Hall into a district on the east side, he said.

The second would create "multiple gerrymandered districts," according to Marks.

"Last night, the Baltimore County Council proposed a redistricting map that unifies Towson, shifts Perry Hall and White Marsh into an Eastside district, and creates two majority-minority districts on the Westside to reflect the county's demographic diversity," Marks said. "The boundaries of these districts are compact and rational. The map is also bipartisan, supported by the four Democrats and three Republicans."

The new map came after civil rights advocates, including the NAACP and ACLU, criticized a proposal made earlier in the fall that would only create one majority Black district. The ACLU of Maryland threatened to sue Baltimore County if there were not a second Black majority district, according WYPR, which reported the council did not release pictures of the new maps after Monday's session.

Marks shared images of the maps presented Monday on his Facebook page Tuesday.

Above is the first map he referenced, which he said had the support of the full council.

"By contrast, the second image shows the proposed Congressional lines which carve Baltimore County into multiple gerrymandered districts," Marks said. "Some of those who have criticized the Council process have been silent about the Congressional gerrymandering."

The Baltimore County Council will hold a work session at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021 at 4 p.m. about the maps.

After a commission put together the maps and the council held a public hearing Oct. 26 on them, the Baltimore County Council is tasked with adopting a final redistricting plan by Jan. 31, 2022.

See Also:

• State Lawmakers, Civil Rights Advocates Call For Baltimore County Council To Redraw Proposed Districts
• Lawmakers To Join NAACP, ACLU In Calls For Changes To Baltimore County Redistricting Plan