Across America, the rules that govern representation are being bent, stretched and in some cases openly abused. What once occurred every 10 years — a predictable, census-based adjustment of political maps — has become a tool of ongoing partisan warfare.

Texas Republicans opened the latest round by redrawing their congressional map mid-cycle at President Donald Trump’s urging to eliminate Democratic seats. California Democrats responded with a ballot measure giving themselves the power to override the state’s independent redistricting commission.

Missouri, Virginia and North Carolina have followed suit. Both parties are now pushing the boundaries of what the law, public patience and constitutional norms can bear.

In that climate, Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson did something rare

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