Baltimore County’s first draft of councilmanic redistricting map draws scrutiny

Natalie Jones

The Baltimore Sun

May 1, 2025

Draft map shows plan that would expand council by two seats

Baltimore County’s first draft of a councilmanic redistricting plan is drawing scrutiny from residents, who have concerns about the map not fairly representing the county’s demographics and undermining existing communities.

The first draft map, published by the county’s 2025 Redistricting Commission as it works to create nine councilmanic districts, includes two majority Black districts and one majority-minority district made up of racial and ethnic minorities.

The commission believes the draft “moves the County Council closer to the goal of representation that better reflects the diversity of the County and ensures the federal Voting Rights Act is at the forefront of its work, while also giving due consideration to communities,” according to a statement released with the draft plan.

Some county residents, however, think differently.

“From what I’m seeing here, this is just not representative,” said Denise Treat, who spoke at a virtual Wednesday public hearing on the draft plan. “This is designed to serve, I don’t know who, but certainly not the constituents of these districts.”

The county population is nearly 50% people of color. Its current council is made up of six white men and one Black man.

The commission’s draft plan comes five months after Baltimore County voters passed a charter amendment to expand the current seven-member County Council by two seats starting in the 2026 election.

The effort to enlarge the legislative body did not come without controversy — it sparked arguments that the redrawn council boundaries could violate federal civil rights law and drew accusations about backroom deals. In December, the council created a group tasked with drawing a new map.

But Keith Dorsey, who served as Baltimore County’s budget chief for 12 years, proposed what he calls the Woodlawn approach.

Since December, Dorsey has proposed different iterations of district plans, the most recent of which suggests creating two greater-majority Black districts around Woodlawn and Randallstown, as well as a simple majority-minority district on the eastern side of the county.

A number of residents who testified said they supported Dorsey’s approach.

Crystal Francis, a public policy expert and eastern Baltimore County resident, urged the commission to consider the Woodlawn map, saying the commission’s first draft proposal divided the county in a way that fractures community interest and dilutes minority voting power.

“Especially in areas where we have growing diversity and strong community, it is so important that our members and residents of the county are able to elect leaders who not only understand their lived experience and have lived and worked and raised family in the community, but also leaders whose districts do not stretch miles across different [landscapes] where residents being able to reach them may not be realized,” she said.

Shafiyq Hinton, an eastern Baltimore County resident who ran for council in 2022, said regardless of whatever fair map residents supported, it’s time to stand united.

“This isn’t about lines or colors on a map — it’s about the kind of county we want to live in, and the kind of future we’re willing to fight for,” he said. “This draft map by the commission, it’s a nonstarter. It ignores our growth, our diversity and our right to representation.”

Some who spoke at the hearing raised concerns about the draft map not being accessible.

“Fair redistricting does not mean just drawing equitable lines; it also means ensuring that the public can see, understand and respond to those lines,” said county resident Makeda Scott. “When the map isn’t user-friendly, it creates a barrier to participation and trust.”

The county plans to release an interactive version of the map by the end of the week.

Other county residents who provided written comments opposing the draft plan argued that it shifted communities in the Catonsville and Arbutus-area into a new district along the Liberty Road corridor, which they said undermined the area’s political influence and weakened neighborhood advocacy.

“It’s clear to me that we have a lot more work to do,” said Al Harris, a Rosedale resident who represents the current District 6 on the redistricting commission. “We want to continue to work as hard as we can to try to bring forth a map that not only we will be happy with presenting, but you as residents and voters, will be happy in seeing.”

The commission will hold two additional public hearings, one on May 12 at the Middle River Recreation Activity Center and another on May 19 at the Randallstown Community Center. Both hearings will start at 6 p.m.