Gov. Larry Hogan seeks to eliminate gerrymandering

Hogan introduces Redistricting Reform Act legislation

In many parts of Maryland, people living next door to one another have different members of Congress.

Gov. Larry Hogan wants to eliminate gerrymandering, which would make more districts politically competitive.

During the campaign, President-elect Donald Trump claimed that a lot of things were rigged in politics.

"We have a rigged system, folks," Trump told supporters.

Hogan said he wants to fix one aspect of it.

"We've been singled out for having some of the worst gerrymandered districts in the United States of America," Hogan said.

The map of Maryland's congressional districts, drawn by Democrats in 2011, all but guarantees that Democrats will win seven of eight House seats. A judge once called oddly shaped District 3 a broken-winged pterodactyl.

Hogan wants lawmakers to pass the Redistricting Reform Act.

"This legislation will provide for a nonpartisan, redistricting commission and create a fair, nonpartisan, open and transparent redistricting process," Hogan said.

"If we don't fix gerrymandering, we're not going to restore the faith we have in our democracy," said Jennifer Bevan-Dangel, with the ethics watchdog Common Cause.

Bevan-Dangel said gerrymandering harms moderate politicians.

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