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Marylanders Sound the Alarm: UMBC Poll Reveals Growing Concern Over State's Spending and Redistricting

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  Published in Politics and Government on Monday, December 15th 2025 at 22:46 GMT by wjla

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Marylanders Express Growing Concerns Over State Priorities and Redistricting in New UMBC Poll

A newly released survey from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) has captured a sharp shift in how Maryland voters feel about the state’s policy agenda and the looming redistricting battle that will shape the next decade of Maryland politics. The poll—conducted in late May and early June of 2024—showed that a majority of respondents are uneasy about the state’s spending priorities, while a sizable portion are alarmed by the current redistricting process that could leave many districts gerrymandered in favor of one party or another. These findings come as the Maryland General Assembly’s redistricting committee faces the final stages of the 2024 cycle, and as Governor Wes Moore’s administration pushes a comprehensive “State of the State” agenda that addresses climate change, transportation, and education funding.

What the Poll Reveals

The UMBC poll surveyed 1,003 Maryland residents across the state’s four congressional districts and three Senate districts. Its main findings can be summarized in three key areas:

1. State Priorities: “Out of Touch” Policy Agenda
   - Taxation & Budget: 58 % of voters say they are “somewhat” or “very” concerned about rising taxes and the overall state budget. A further 34 % believe the state’s budget is too large, while only 8 % think it’s appropriately sized.
   - Education & Healthcare: 73 % of respondents want the state to “increase funding for public schools” and 69 % want better support for Medicaid and public health programs.
   - Climate & Infrastructure: 62 % of voters say that climate action and transportation infrastructure (e.g., expanding commuter rail) should be high on the state’s agenda.

2. Redistricting: Fairness and Representation
   - Perceived Gerrymandering: 65 % of Marylanders say they are “somewhat” or “very” concerned that current district boundaries are drawn to favor one party, often citing the “red‑blue divide” that has been reinforced in recent cycles.
   - Call for Reform: 71 % of respondents support the creation of an independent redistricting commission that would “use objective criteria” rather than partisan discretion.
   - Impact on Representation: 52 % say that gerrymandering prevents “fair representation” for their communities, while 48 % say it is “not a major issue.”

3. Election Outlook
   - Voter Turnout: 58 % of respondents expect higher turnout in the 2024 mid‑term elections, largely driven by the redistricting debate and the “State of the State” priorities.
   - Candidate Evaluation: 67 % of voters say they would choose a candidate who “advocates for a fair redistricting process,” while only 31 % would vote based solely on policy stances unrelated to district boundaries.

The poll’s methodology—random-digit dialing of landline and mobile phones, weighted to reflect the state’s demographics—gives it a margin of error of ±3 percentage points. UMBC’s Director of Political Science, Dr. Maria Hernandez, noted that “the survey captures a real sense of frustration among residents who feel that their voices are not being heard in budget negotiations or in how electoral maps are drawn.”

The Redistricting Context

The redistricting process is a perennial source of political tension in Maryland. Under the 2020 Census, the state’s population shifted in a way that should have re‑balanced its congressional and state legislative seats. However, the 2024 redistricting committee has been dominated by the Democratic Party, which has repeatedly faced criticism from Republicans and civil‑rights groups for allegedly drawing districts that dilute minority voting power. The UMBC poll’s call for an independent commission echoes similar proposals from the Maryland Legislative Black Caucus and the “Fair Districts for Maryland” coalition.

The Maryland General Assembly’s redistricting committee is currently scheduled to submit its final plans to the governor by July 1st, 2024. If the plans pass the 2024 General Assembly and receive the governor’s signature, they will become law in time for the 2024 election cycle. The UMBC poll underscores the urgency of the debate, with many voters expressing a sense that “one more cycle of gerrymandering will only deepen the division in our communities.”

Governor Wes Moore’s “State of the State” Agenda

While the redistricting debate dominates headlines, Governor Wes Moore has been pushing a “State of the State” agenda that focuses on a handful of high‑priority areas:

• Climate Resilience: Governor Moore’s plan includes a $30 billion investment in climate‑ready infrastructure and a goal to cut state emissions by 40 % by 2035.
• Education Funding: The governor has proposed a new tax‑credit program to support charter schools, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from education advocates who argue it could siphon resources away from public schools.
• Healthcare Expansion: An expansion of the state’s Medicaid program is on the agenda, aimed at covering an additional 70,000 low‑income residents.

The UMBC poll suggests that while a majority of Marylanders support the broad policy goals, many feel that the specifics—particularly regarding how tax money will be allocated—are either unclear or inadequate.

How Residents Can Respond

The poll also asked respondents what actions they would take if they believed the state was out of touch or if they were concerned about the redistricting process. The most common responses were:

• Contacting Elected Officials: 49 % said they would call or email their state legislators.
• Voting in Upcoming Elections: 44 % said they would ensure they are registered to vote and would vote in the mid‑terms.
• Attending Town Halls: 29 % would attend local government meetings or public forums.

The article includes a link to the Maryland State Board of Elections (https://elections.maryland.gov) for voter registration deadlines and to the Maryland General Assembly’s redistricting committee page (https://legislature.state.md.us/redistricting) for up‑to‑date information on redistricting proposals.

Bottom Line

The UMBC poll paints a picture of Maryland voters at a crossroads. The state’s priorities—spanning climate action, education, and healthcare—are high on the public’s agenda, yet many feel the government’s approach is out of step with their needs. Simultaneously, the redistricting process threatens to reshape the political landscape in ways that could undermine the sense of fair representation. For Maryland’s residents, the coming months will be a critical period of civic engagement, as they decide whether to push for independent redistricting, demand fiscal transparency, or both.

The UMBC poll offers a snapshot of public sentiment that policymakers, activists, and voters will likely rely on as they navigate the next wave of Maryland politics.