Gov. Larry Hogan (R) signed an executive order last week establishing a state commission for redistricting reform. Local legislators believe reform is needed, but said bipartisan collaboration is crucial to the efforts.

Sen. Thomas “Mac” Middleton (D-Charles) said the commission’s success will hinge on working with the legislature.

There is time to make reforms. The next legislative redistricting will follow the 2020 census.

“I think people don’t like the idea of the gerrymandering,” he said. “They don’t like what was done last time but if you want to get it right you have to make sure it is a bipartisan committee.”

Hogan appointed seven to the commission, including Alexander Williams Jr. (a former state’s attorney for Prince George’s County) and Walter Olson (a senior fellow with the Cato Institute) as co-chairs, as well as Michael Goff (president and CEO of the Northeast-Midwest Institute), Christopher Summers (founder and president of the Maryland Public Policy Institute), Ashley Oleson (administrator for the League of Women Voters of Maryland) and others.

Based on the findings of the commission, a report will be submitted to the governor, senate president and speaker of the house no later than Nov. 3 this year. Additionally, the commission will offer a recommendation for a constitutional amendment on congressional and legislative redistricting that will be introduced as legislation during the 2016 general assembly. The commission ends Nov. 8, 2016, the press release states.

Del. Tony O’Donnell (R-St. Mary’s, Calvert) said, “I commend Gov. Hogan … I think it should be done more fairly.” O’Donnell said legislative district lines have been drawn by people in power in a way that is self-serving and not in the citizens’ best interests.

Del. Matt Morgan (R-St. Mary’s) is a plaintiff for a group called Judicial Watch in a lawsuit filed in federal court to challenge Maryland’s congressional districts.

“In school, I was taught Maryland had three equal branches of government,” Morgan said Thursday. “The executive branch, rightfully so, is term limited. But, I ask you what is equal about a legislator who draws himself into a district he can never lose?

“A recent poll says 72 percent of Marylanders want redistricting to be handled by a bipartisan commission,” he said in an email. “The overwhelming majority of people want to do what’s right and they stand with the governor. My hope is Democrats evolve on this issue and not alienate the majority of Marylanders simply for political gain.”

In a 2011 blog, Todd Eberly, associate professor of political science at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, criticized Maryland’s congressional boundaries.

In the 5th congressional district in Southern Maryland, Eberly wrote, “Given the size of Prince George’s County and the large surplus of Democratic votes there, it is then used to dominate the 5th District. Anne Arundel, Calvert and St. Mary’s counties could form a single congressional district positioned on the western shore of the bay, but it would be a Republican district.”

In a state where Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2-to-1 margin, Eberly wrote, “Democrats are the clear majority party in Maryland — but it is hardly a one-party state.”

“I would be perfectly satisfied with a nonpartisan redistricting process,” said Sen. Steve Waugh (R-St. Mary’s, Calvert). Waugh said he hopes districts can better follow the natural and municipal boundaries people are already accustomed, to especially in Southern Maryland where legislative districts are geographically larger. In urban areas, the districts are more arbitrary with boundaries that dip in and out to secure seats.

Waugh said after the commission comes up with recommendations, the “legislature probably won’t allow it to happen” and he fears things will backslide.

“People need to be prepared for a change in plan afterwards by the legislature,” Waugh said.

At least one public hearing will be held in each region of the state to allow residents to submit ideas on redistricting reform. Additionally, a web page has been established to submit input online at http://governor.maryland.gov/redistricting-reform, according to a press release.

sfleischman@somdnews.com jbabcock@somdnews.com