Judge panel rules Maryland congressional map unconstitutional

Nov. 7 (UPI) -- A panel of three federal judges ruled Wednesday that Maryland's congressional map was unconstitutional and ordered the state to draw a new one in time for the 2020 election.

The judges said the lines for the 6th District unfairly benefited Democrats.

In June, the U.S. Supreme Court declined the hear the case and kicked it back down to the lower courts.

A group of seven Republican plaintiffs filed the lawsuit against Linda Lamone, state administrator of the Maryland Board of Elections.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan welcomed the opinion.

"This is a victory for the vast majority of Marylanders who want free and fair elections and the numerous advocates from across the political spectrum who have been fighting partisan gerrymandering in our state for decades," he said.

Hogan said Maryland has the most gerrymandered districts in the country.

Democrat David Trone defeated Republican Amie Hoeber on Tuesday to represent the 6th District in the House. He succeeds Rep. John Delaney, a Democrat.