Marvin Mandel, Governor                       1215

substantially the same in each legislative district. Nothing herein
shall be construed to require the election of only one Delegate from
each legislative district.]

Each legislative district shall consist of adjoining territory, be
compact in form, and of substantially equal population. Due regard
shall be given to natural boundaries and the boundaries of political
subdivisions.

5.

[Following each decennial census of the United States, the Gov-
ernor shall prepare a plan for legislative districting and apportion-
ment. The Governor shall present the plan to the General Assembly
not later than the first day of its regular session in the second year
following the census, and may call a special session to present it prior
thereto. No change in the number of members of the Senate or House
of Delegates shall be provided in this plan. Following each decennial
census the General Assembly shall by law enact a plan for legislative
districting and apportionment. If no plan has been enacted for these
purposes by the forty-fifth day after the opening of the regular
session of the General Assembly of the Second year following the
census, the plan presented to the General Assembly by the Governor
shall become law. Upon petition of any registered voter, the Court
of Appeals shall have original jurisdiction to review the legislative
districting and apportionment of the State and may grant appropriate
relief, if it finds that the districting and apportioning of the State
is not consistent with requirements of either the Constitution of the
United States of America or the Constitution of Maryland.]

A Legislative Redistricting Commission shall be appointed for the
purpose of dividing the State into legislative districts for the election

of members of the Senate and the House of Delegates.

Members of the Commission shall serve until the Commission's

redistricting plan has been introduced into the General Assembly.
Any member of the Commission may be removed by the Governor

prior to the expiration of his term for official misconduct, incom-

petence, or neglect of duty. The members shall serve without com-

out their responsibilities under this section.

Within seven (7) days after any Constitutional amendment takes

effect changing the size of the General Assembly and following each

decennial census of the United States, the Legislative Redistricting

Commission shall prepare a plan setting forth the boundaries of the

legislative districts for the election of members of the Senate and

The Commission shall be composed of seven members appointed as
follows; Two each by the President of the Senate and the Speaker of

the House of Delegates; one each by the Minority Leaders of the
principal minority political party of the Senate and the House of

delegates respectively, and one who shall serve as Chairman, by the
Governor. All members must be registered voters in the State of
Maryland and may not hold any elective public or party office during

their tenure. Any vacancy on the Commission shall be filled by the

appointing authority. The Commission shall adopt a redistricting

plan only by a majority vote. The Chairman shall have no vote

unless the Commission be equally divided.