Maryland primary election postponed to July 19

On Tuesday, the Maryland Court of Appeals passed an order to change the date of the primary election from June 28 to July 19 due to issues regarding a new legislative district map. 

The Court of Appeals has received many petitions challenging the legality of the state legislative redistricting plan that was adopted on Feb. 1. 

In two lawsuits from Anne Arundel County that challenge the Maryland congressional map, Republican officials argue that the congressional map does not follow Maryland's constitutional guidelines and is drawn to unfairly favor the Democrats. 

Special Magistrate Alan M. Wilner will hold a hearing on these petitions beginning March 23. Wilner is scheduled to send in a report, which may also be subject to a hearing, to the Court of Appeals in April. 

The candidate filing deadline has also been delayed until April 15.