MD Redistricting -- Quick! Six days to comment

Redistricting of our federal legislative districts has come to Maryland. Just a few days ago, on October 4th, the Governor's Redistricting Advisory Committee made public their plans and maps for our newly drawn districts. So, quick! You the citizen have all of 6 days to comment on the proposed districts.

According to the Maryland State Department of Plannning -Redistricting,

The plan is open for public comment through October 11, 2011. Comments may be sent by email (Redistricting2011@mdp.state.md.us), via hard-copy (Redistricting 2011; Maryland Department of Planning; 11th Floor; 301 W. Preston St,; Baltimore, MD 21201; ATTN: Linda Janey) or submitted on-line.

According to the state Department of Planning, Districts 4, 5, 6 and 8 will be redrawn.

Greater Washington, D.C. Region

"Over the past decade, there has been a clear expansion of what has commonly been considered the "Washington suburbs," a trend that is reflected in the proposed map. This expansion has been spearheaded by the migration of nearly 40,000 Prince George's County residents to Charles County and the migration of over 43,000 Montgomery residents to Frederick County.

In revising Districts 4, 5, 6 and 8, the Committee drew 2 districts that are based in Southern Maryland/Prince George's County, and two districts that are based in Montgomery County and the I-270 Corridor, into Western Maryland.
Public testimony in these regions reflected a desire to have a Congressional map that better reflected patterns in this region – the growth in Southern Maryland from Prince George's County, and the growth of the suburbs along I-270. The proposed map eliminated the current overlap of districts in Prince George's and Montgomery Counties (District 8 into Prince George's and District 4 into Montgomery) to better capture what is occurring in the State.

Congressional Districts 6 and 8 are drawn to reflect the North-South
connections between Montgomery County, the I-270 Corridor, and western portions
of the State. All three western Maryland counties, Washington, Allegany and
Garrett, were kept together.

Consistent with public testimony, the proposed map reduces the number of Congressional Districts in Prince George's County from 3 to 2, and re-orients the Montgomery County districts to reflect population trends."

Go here to look at the proposed map and to comment on the map. And hurry! The state has given you 6 days to comment.