We Won!
The Circuit Court of Anne Arundel County issued its ruling in Howell v. Maryland State Board of Elections, affirming that HB2100 was unlawful.
This decision is a massive victory for fair and free representation. Marylanders deserve to elect their representatives instead of having their representatives selected for them. The passage of HB2100 was a flawed and rushed process that blatantly violates state law.
Today’s decision affirms what we have been saying since day one: the General Assembly cannot ignore the constitutions and laws which govern this state for the sake of growing their own political power.
Four years ago, I was the lead plaintiff when Judge Lynne Battaglia struck down the Democrats’ extreme partisan gerrymander. Today, the Maryland Freedom Caucus once again led the fight to stop them from changing the rules midstream. The process matters. We will not let the Constitution be rewritten on a rushed, defective timeline and without due process.
Here’s What Happened:
The legislature made rules, then didn’t follow them. Earlier in 2026, the General Assembly passed SB 29 establishing deadlines and procedures for constitutional ballot questions, including a July 1 certification deadline and public-notice requirements. HB 2100 wasn’t even introduced until August 3.
The State essentially argued that those rules didn’t apply to the legislature itself. The judge rejected that position. His basic conclusion was: when the legislature establishes the process for putting constitutional amendments before voters, the legislature has to follow that process too. The judge found HB 2100 legally defective. He stated very directly: “Because the legislature did not follow the very laws it enacted,” HB 2100 was legally deficient.
There was a second, independent problem: the wording of the ballot was misleading. The ballot said the amendment merely “clarifies” Maryland’s Constitution. The judge said that’s misleading because the existing legal status is that Maryland’s constitutional districting requirements apply to both state legislative and congressional districts. In other words, HB 2100 wasn’t simply explaining existing law; it was attempting to change it.
There was a third problem: the ballot question contained two separate issues. It addressed the constitutional rules governing congressional districts and gave the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction over congressional redistricting cases. The judge said those are separate issues, while a referred constitutional question must concern a single issue.
The Fight Continues
The Maryland Freedom Caucus has led the opposition to this power grab from the moment it was announced, and we have not stopped fighting for you.
The case now moves to the Supreme Court of Maryland, where we will continue to defend every Marylander’s right to due process and lawful representation, and to oppose any attempt to place HB2100 on the ballot in violation of state law.
Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Now, more than ever, I need your help to keep fighting for you, your family, and the future of Maryland.
So far, we have successfully stopped Governor Wes Moore and partisan Democrats from eliminating Maryland’s last Republican congressional seat. But the fight is far from over.
PLEASE DONATE TODAY to help me keep up the fight.
Every contribution, large or small, makes a difference. Whether it’s $25, $100, $500, or even $1,000, your support gives me the resources to keep standing up, speaking out, and fighting back.
Please donate today. Together, we can keep up the fight.
God Bless,
Delegate Kathy Szeliga
Maryland House of Delegates
Vice Chair, Maryland Freedom Caucus
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