Maryland residents have a week to comment on redistricting

ANNAPOLIS — Maryland residents have a week to comment on a recommended map for the state’s congressional districts.

The draft plan was formally made public on Tuesday on the Maryland Department of Planning’s website, a day after members of a panel appointed by Gov. Martin O’Malley briefed lawmakers.

Residents will have until Oct. 11 to send comments through the department’s website or by writing to the department.

O’Malley, a Democrat, will then submit any revisions he wants to the map to the General Assembly, which will take up the map in legislation.

Maryland Republicans have criticized the plan, particularly for big changes to the state’s 6th congressional district, which is held by Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, one of two Republicans in Maryland’s eight congressional districts.