About Redistricting

Council President Dixon established the Council Redistricting Committee to steer the Council through the redistricting process in accordance with the City Charter. 

The committee consists of the senior Councilperson in each district, and the Council President.  Members included: Councilmembers Robert Curran, Nicholas D’Adamo, Jr., Rochelle "Rikki" Spector, Melvin L. Stukes and Agnes Welch. Councilwomen Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Paula Johnson Branch are co-chairs.

The Council reviewed and discussed the Mayor’s proposed plan to reconfigure district borders, with the help of public input through open forums, including informational hearings, community meetings and roundtable discussions.  Consideration was given to preserve neighborhoods. 

The Council approved an amended version of the mayor’s proposed plan in April 2003.The primary election to select 14 council members and one at-large Council President will be on Tuesday, September 9, 2003. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is redistricting?

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the boundaries of electoral districts. Baltimore City is required to redistrict after the census is completed and new population data is available to accurately distribute the population among districts. Redistricting for Baltimore City is the process of dividing the City into districts of approximately equal population for the election of members to serve on the City Council.

Who will draw the new districts?

The Mayor is granted authority to draw new boundaries for electoral districts. The Mayor will present his redistricting plan to the City Council in the form of an ordinance. The City Council has sixty days to approve the Mayor’s redistricting plan or present an alternate plan.

When will the new districts be drawn?

The Mayor must present the redistricting plan to the City Council no later than the first day of February of the first municipal election year following the census. The first municipal election following the census is currently scheduled for September 2003. The map must be presented to the City Council no later than February 1, 2003. The City Council has sixty (60) days to approve the redistricting plan.

Will I have the same number of Councilmembers after redistricting?

No. The City Council is currently composed of a President and eighteen (18) Councilmembers. There are six (6) City Council districts with three (3) Councilmembers representing each district. Voters recently amended the Baltimore City Charter to create fourteen (14), single-member districts. Now, the City Council will be composed of a President and fourteen (14) Councilmembers. After redistricting, residents will vote for only one (1) Councilmember to represent their district on the City Council. Each district will still be served by the Mayor, Comptroller and other city-wide elected officials.

When will the new City Council take office?

The new City Council will be sworn in to office in December of 2004.

How can I participate in the process?

Baltimore City residents can participate in the process by following the activities of the Redistricting Committee of the Baltimore City Council. Public hearings will be held to inform the general public about the redistricting process and to discuss the ordinance presented to the City Council. The locations and times of the public hearings will be posted in local newspapers and on the President of the City Council’s website (www.baltimorecitycouncil.com).