Documentary Explores Maryland’s Electoral Districts

What state has the most gerrymandered districts in the country? According to St. Mary’s College of Maryland Professor Todd Eberly, Maryland is one of the worst. Eberly, professor of political science and public policy, and Susan Grogan, professor of political science, will lead a panel discussion on the issue after a screening of the documentary “Gerrymandering” at 4:40 p.m. Oct. 12 in Cole Cinema in the St. Mary’s Campus Center. The film, released in 2010, discusses the history and ethics of redrawing electoral district lines in order to give one party an advantage. “Gerrymandering, the act of drawing district lines strictly for partisan advantage, subverts representation and subjugates the interests of the people to the interests of political parties,” said Eberly. The issue is a hot topic in Maryland, where a special session of the Maryland General Assembly will soon convene to consider a new congressional map drawn by a task force appointed by Governor Martin O’Malley. “Governor O’Malley has an opportunity to correct the egregious abuse of process that produced Maryland’s current congressional districts – it remains to be seen whether he will rise to the occasion or simply bow before the pressure of the national party,” said Eberly. The event is free and open to the public.