Maryland state legislative districts
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List of state legislative districts |
There are 188 seats in the Maryland General Assembly. All 47 seats of the Maryland State Senate and all 141 seats of the Maryland House of Delegates are up for election every four years. The Maryland House employs 47 three-member districts, allowing its boundaries and those of the state Senate to be one and the same.[1]
Chambers
Click the following tabs for more information about each chamber:
Senate
The Maryland State Senate is the upper house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of Maryland. It is composed of 47 senators elected from single-member districts. Maryland was required to use 2010 Census adjusted population numbers for redistricting, pursuant to the "No Representation Without Population Act" (SB 400/HB 496) signed into law in 2010. Generally, the law requires that the census data must be adjusted to reassign Maryland residents in state and federal correctional institutions to their last known address and to exclude out-of-state residents in correctional institutions for the purposes of creating congressional, state legislative, and local districting plans.
As of the 2020 Census, Maryland state senators represented an average of 131,602 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 123,190 residents.
Qualifications
Section 9 of Article 3 of the Maryland Constitution states, "A person is eligible to serve as a Senator or Delegate, who on the date of the person's election, (1) is a citizen of the State of Maryland, (2) has resided therein for at least one year next preceding that date, and (3) if the district that the person has been chosen to represent has been established for at least six months prior to the date of the person's election, has resided in that district for six months next preceding that date and, beginning January 1, 2024, has maintained a primary place of abode in that district for six months next preceding that date.
If the district that the person has been chosen to represent has been established less than six months prior to the date of the person's election, then in addition to (1) and (2) above, the person shall have resided in the district for as long as it has been established and, beginning January 1, 2024, shall have maintained a primary place of abode in the district for as long as it has been established.
A person is eligible to serve as a Senator, if the person has attained the age of twenty-five years, or as a Delegate, if the person has attained the age of twenty-one years, on the date of the person's election."[2]
Section 12 of Article I of the Maryland Constitution states, [A] person is ineligible to enter upon the duties of, or to continue to serve in, an elective office created by or pursuant to the provisions of this Constitution if the person was not a registered voter in this State on the date of the person's election or appointment to that term or if, at any time thereafter and prior to completion of the term, the person ceases to be a registered voter."[3]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Maryland General Assembly, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement.[4]
The governor makes an appointment based on the recommendations of the political party committee that holds the vacant seat. The political party committee has up to 30 days after the vacancy to submit a list of recommended candidates to the governor. If the party committee fails to act by the 30-day deadline, or if the former officeholder was not affiliated with any party, the governor has 15 days to appoint a person from the political party that last held the seat.[5]
The person appointed to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[6]
See sources: Maryland Const. Art. 3, Sec. 13
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[7] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $54,437/year | $115/day for lodging. $63/day for meals. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Maryland State Senate.
House
The Maryland House of Delegates is the lower house of the General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Maryland, and is composed of 141 delegates elected from 47 districts. Maryland was required to use 2010 Census adjusted population figures for Maryland Redistricting, pursuant to the "No Representation Without Population Act" (SB 400\HB 496) signed into Maryland law in 2010. Generally, the law requires that the census data must be adjusted to reassign Maryland residents in state and federal correctional institutions to their last known address, and to exclude out-of-state residents in correctional institutions for the purposes of creating congressional, state legislative and local districting plans.
As of the 2020 Census, Maryland state representatives represented an average of 43,867 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 41,063 residents.
Qualifications
Section 9 of Article 3 of the Maryland Constitution states, "A person is eligible to serve as a Senator or Delegate, who on the date of the person's election, (1) is a citizen of the State of Maryland, (2) has resided therein for at least one year next preceding that date, and (3) if the district that the person has been chosen to represent has been established for at least six months prior to the date of the person's election, has resided in that district for six months next preceding that date and, beginning January 1, 2024, has maintained a primary place of abode in that district for six months next preceding that date.
If the district that the person has been chosen to represent has been established less than six months prior to the date of the person's election, then in addition to (1) and (2) above, the person shall have resided in the district for as long as it has been established and, beginning January 1, 2024, shall have maintained a primary place of abode in the district for as long as it has been established.
A person is eligible to serve as a Senator, if the person has attained the age of twenty-five years, or as a Delegate, if the person has attained the age of twenty-one years, on the date of the person's election."[3]
Section 12 of Article I of the Maryland Constitution states, [A] person is ineligible to enter upon the duties of, or to continue to serve in, an elective office created by or pursuant to the provisions of this Constitution if the person was not a registered voter in this State on the date of the person's election or appointment to that term or if, at any time thereafter and prior to completion of the term, the person ceases to be a registered voter."[3]
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Maryland General Assembly, the governor is responsible for appointing a replacement.[8]
The governor makes an appointment based on the recommendations of the political party committee that holds the vacant seat. The political party committee has up to 30 days after the vacancy to submit a list of recommended candidates to the governor. If the party committee fails to act by the 30-day deadline, or if the former officeholder was not affiliated with any party, the governor has 15 days to appoint a person from the political party that last held the seat.[9]
The person appointed to the seat serves for the remainder of the unfilled term.[10]
See sources: Maryland Const. Art. 3, Sec. 13
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[11] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $54,437/year | $115/day for lodging. $63/day for meals. |
Districts
These are links to every district in the Maryland House of Representatives.
Redistricting
In Maryland, the primary authority to adopt both congressional and state legislative district lines rests with the state legislature. The governor submits a state legislative redistricting proposal (an advisory commission appointed by the governor assists in drafting this proposal). The state legislature may pass its own plan by joint resolution, which is not subject to gubernatorial veto. If the legislature fails to approve its own plan, the governor's plan takes effect. Congressional lines are adopted solely by the legislature and may be vetoed by the governor.[12]
The Maryland Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous, compact, and "give 'due regard' for political boundaries and natural features." No such requirements apply to congressional districts.[12]
Maryland adopted legislative maps on January 27, 2022, when the Maryland House of Delegates approved new legislative district boundaries that had been approved on January 20, 2022, by the Maryland State Senate. The vote in the state Senate was 32-14 and in the House of Delegates was 95-42, both strictly along party lines.[13][14][15][16]Since legislative maps are not subject to gubernatorial veto, the maps were therefore enacted.
Senate elections
Maryland state senators serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Maryland holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
- See also: Maryland State Senate elections, 2026
Elections for the Maryland State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is June 23, 2026. The filing deadline is February 24, 2026.
2022
- See also: Maryland State Senate elections, 2022
Elections for the Maryland State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for July 19, 2022. The filing deadline was April 15, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the chamber from 32-15 to 34-13.
| Maryland State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 32 | 34 | |
| Republican Party | 15 | 13 | |
| Total | 47 | 47 | |
2018
- See also: Maryland State Senate elections, 2018
Elections for the Maryland State Senate took place in 2018. The closed primary election took place on June 26, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was February 27, 2018. The filing deadline for third party and independent candidates was August 6, 2018.[17]
In the 2018 elections, the Democratic majority in the Maryland State Senate was reduced from 33-14 to 32-15.
| Maryland State Senate | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 33 | 32 | |
| Republican Party | 14 | 15 | |
| Total | 47 | 47 | |
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2014
Elections for the Maryland State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 25, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 35-12 majority. Democrats lost two seats in the election, giving them a 33-14 majority.
2010
Elections for the office of Maryland State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 6, 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 33-14 majority. Democrats gained two seats in the election, giving them a 35-12 majority.
In 2010, the candidates running for state Senate raised a total of $9,313,367 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[18]
2006
Elections for the office of Maryland State Senate consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $10,593,147. The top 10 contributors were:[19]
2002
Elections for the office of Maryland Senate consisted of a primary election on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to Senate candidates was $9,071,191. The top 10 contributors were:[20]
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House elections
Maryland state delegates serve four-year terms, with all seats up for election every four years. Maryland holds elections for its legislature in even years.
2026
Elections for the Maryland House of Delegates will take place in 2026. The general election is on November 3, 2026. The primary is June 23, 2026. The filing deadline is February 24, 2026.
2022
Elections for the Maryland House of Delegates took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for July 19, 2022. The filing deadline was April 15, 2022.
In the 2022 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Maryland House of Delegates from 99-42 to 102-39.
| Maryland House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 8, 2022 | After November 9, 2022 | |
| Democratic Party | 99 | 102 | |
| Republican Party | 42 | 39 | |
| Total | 141 | 141 | |
2018
Elections for the Maryland House of Delegates took place in 2018. The closed primary election took place on June 26, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline was February 27, 2018. The filing deadline for third party and independent candidates was August 6, 2018[21]
In the 2018 elections, Democrats increased their majority in the Maryland House of Delegates from 91-50 to 99-42.
| Maryland House of Delegates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of November 6, 2018 | After November 7, 2018 | |
| Democratic Party | 91 | 99 | |
| Republican Party | 50 | 42 | |
| Total | 141 | 141 | |
| Click [show] to see election information dating back to 2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2014Elections for the Maryland House of Delegates took place in 2014. A primary election took place on June 24, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 25, 2014. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 98-43 majority. Democrats lost seven seats in the election, giving them a 91-50 majority.
2010Elections for the office of Maryland House of Delegates took place in 2010. The primary election was held on September 14, 2010, and the general election was held on November 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was July 6, 2010. Heading into the election, Democrats held a 104-37 majority. Democrats lost six seats in the election, giving them a 98-43 majority.
In 2010, candidates running for state House raised a total of $14,870,197 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were:[22]
2006Elections for the office of Maryland House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on September 12, 2006, and a general election on November 7, 2006. During the 2006 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $16,245,588. The top 10 contributors were:[23]
2002Elections for the office of Maryland House of Delegates consisted of a primary election on September 10, 2002, and a general election on November 5, 2002. During the 2002 election, the total value of contributions to House candidates was $12,715,258. The top 10 contributors were:[24]
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District maps
State Senate
State House
See also
- State legislature
- Maryland State Legislature
- Maryland State Senate
- Maryland House of Representatives
- List of Maryland state legislative elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Maryland Department of Planning, "Maryland Legislative Districts," accessed May 1, 2014
- ↑ Maryland Constitution, "Article III, Section 9," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Maryland Constitution, "Article III, Section 9," accessed May 21, 2025
- ↑ Maryland State Archives, "Maryland Constitution," accessed February 11, 2021 (Article III, Section 13, Subsection (a)(1))
- ↑ Maryland State Archives, "Maryland Constitution," accessed February 11, 2021 (Article III, Section 13, Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2))
- ↑ Maryland State Archives, "Maryland Constitution," accessed February 11, 2021 (Article III, Section 13, Subsection (a)(4))
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Maryland State Archives, "Maryland Constitution," accessed February 11, 2021 (Article III, Section 13, Subsection (a)(1))
- ↑ Maryland State Archives, "Maryland Constitution," accessed February 11, 2021 (Article III, Section 13, Subsections (a)(1) and (a)(2))
- ↑ Maryland State Archives, "Maryland Constitution," accessed February 11, 2021 (Article III, Section 13, Subsection (a)(4))
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 All About Redistricting, 'Maryland," accessed April 30, 2015
- ↑ The Baltimore Sun, "Maryland state lawmakers give final OK to new district maps; lawsuit likely," January 27, 2022
- ↑ Maryland General Assembly, "Legislative Districting Plan of 2022," accessed March 15, 2022
- ↑ Maryland General Assembly, "Senate of Maryland 2022 Regular Session - SJ 2," accessed March 16, 2022
- ↑ Maryland General Assembly, "General Assembly of Maryland 2022 Regular Session - SJ 2," accessed March 16, 2022
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "2018 Election Calendar," accessed July 6, 2018
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maryland 2010 - Candidates," accessed June 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maryland 2006 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maryland 2002 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Maryland State Board of Elections, "2018 Election Calendar," accessed July 6, 2018
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maryland 2010 - Candidates," accessed June 15, 2014
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maryland 2006 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Maryland 2002 - Candidates," accessed August 23, 2013
