Maryland’s highest court on Tuesday moved the state’s gubernatorial primary elections to July 19, a three-week delay, to allow time to resolve a legal challenge to recently redrawn legislative districts.
The order, signed by Chief Judge Joseph M. Getty of the Maryland Court of Appeals, comes as the court weighs four challenges to the redrawn maps. Opponents argue that the maps violate the state constitution and are gerrymandered.
Several candidates in the crowded race for governor — where 10 Democrats and three Republicans are vying to succeed term-limited Gov. Larry Hogan (R) — welcomed the court decision, which gives them more time to raise their profile before the primary. But some observers worried that pushing the election into prime vacation season could prompt voter confusion or disenfranchisement.
