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Maryland Question 5

Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Maryland Voters Approve Same-Sex Marriage

DREAM Act, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting also survive referendum challenges.

UPDATED (2:26 a.m.)—Same-sex marriage is the law in Maryland. The passage of the controversial law was the biggest win among a list of six other statewide ballot questions including the DREAM Act, expanded gambling and congressional redistricting that all also passed. Gov. Martin O'Malley took to the podium to address the Question 6 victory party at The Soundstage in Baltimore early Wednesday to chants of his last name. O'Malley thanked the crowd for all they had done "in this noble battle to move Maryland Forward." The governor praised supporters for all their hard work and for securing support for the controversial ballot question by talking to their families and their religious institutions. "You were carrying this banner of human …

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Voice of Reason

2:02 pm on Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Yeah, those non-procreating gays are going to lead to our extinction because under-population is such a huge problem right now, right? Also if the human body decides what is and isn't a marriage ( a ridiculous statement to start with ) then the physical attraction they feel towards their partner just further legitimizes it.   more ›

Friday, November 2, 2012

Early Voting Surpasses 2010 Election

Most counties in Maryland show a spike in early voting turnout in 2012 while Anne Arundel and Worcester Counties show decreases.

Turnout for early voting this year has already exceeded that of 2010 in 22 of 24 jurisdictions in the state. And while two counties report declines in the overall percentages one Eastern Shore county reports close to a 20 percent turnout. But the exact meaning of the higher turnout is hard to immediately discern, according to one local elections analyst. Residents across the state have the opportunity to cast votes for President, U.S. Senate, eight congressional races and seven statewide ballot questions including congressional redistricting, the Maryland DREAM Act, same-sex marriage and expanded gambling. Source: State Board of Elections In four counties—Caroline, Howard, Kent and Somerset—the early voting turnout over the first six days …

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Thursday, October 18, 2012

Reader Poll: Congressional Redistricting

How will you vote on the Congressional redistricting plan on Nov. 6?

In addition to more notable referendum questions such as same-sex marriage, DREAM Act and expanded gambling, Maryland voters will also be asked to decide the fate of the state's recently redrawn congressional districts. Earlier this week, Comptroller Peter Franchot announced he intends to vote against the maps and asked voters to do the same. The comptroller said the recent maps drawn by Gov. Martin O'Malley and approved by the General Assembly are unfair and make Maryland "the poster child for gerrymandering." A spokeswoman for the governor noted that the maps have survived a number of challenges in the courts and that the process used to create them is legally sound. Voters on Nov. 6 will be asked to vote for the referred law or against …

Dana Schwartz

2:33 am on Wednesday, November 7, 2012

How can there be so many jerks in this state? This was not about Dems vs Reps, it was about disenfranchisement and too much power in the hands of people we didn't vote for! Very disappointed. It's an embarrassment being "the most gerrymandered state in the US". It's time for an amendment instituting term limits for MD legislators!   more ›

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Franchot Calls For Changes To Redistricting Process

Comptroller says Maryland "is the poster child for gerrymandering" and urges voters to vote no on Question 5.

Democratic Comptroller Peter Franchot said Monday he supports his party's candidates but that recent redistricting of Maryland's congressional is too heavy-handed. "This map is way over the edge in terms of bare-knuckle politics," said Franchot. "I'm a proud Democrat. I support Democrats. I just want it to be fair and not fixed," Franchot said, comparing the redistricting process to "Boss Tweed-style Chicago politics." Franchot Tuesday called for an independent, non-partisan commission that would redraw the congressional and state legislative districts. The change would help restore faith in the political system, he said. The comptroller said the districts should be more compact in order to provide voters with better representation. He …

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Rick Jones

8:32 am on Wednesday, October 24, 2012

It's not only Franchot who thinks the map is over the edge. Even the liberal Washington Post called the governor's redistricting map "comical" in its construction. O'Malley's hubris in designing a map, specifically to enhance the power of Democrat incumbents while minimizing the voting power of minorities, rural voters and Republicans, is astonishing. Hopefully the term "gerrymandering", which …   more ›

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