Commission Presents Three Maps for Redistricting Howard County

After the census is released every 10 years, Howard County has a policy to reevaluate district boundaries--a process that is now ongoing.

A few Elkridge residents  during a public hearing at the earlier in the summer, including some who said development was an issue that aligned Elkridge with areas like Savage along the Route 1 corridor.

Commission members said this was the rationale behind Map 100 (see photos), which bundles Elkridge, Hanover, Jessup, North Laurel and Savage together into District 3.

Kevin Rodkey, a member of the commission, told the Howard County Times: "'...Look at the issues they've been facing with the Route 1 development.'"

Others on the commission had a different opinion. “If there were a Route 1 district ... you would be heard, but in all likelihood the chances of getting things accomplished would go down,” said David Marker, redistricting commission member, at the  in Elkridge. “With it split, now you have 3 out of 5 [council representatives] paying attention.”

The Howard County Redistricting Commission will hold a public hearing, where residents can provide feedback, on Wednesday, Sept. 20, at 7 p.m. in the George Howard Building.

You can also email the Redistricting Commission at redistricting@howardcountymd.gov and find more information on the Redistricting Commission webpage.