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The Maryland Court of Appeals on Tuesday issued an order that moves the 2022 Primary Election from June 28 to July 19 as courts weigh challenges to the state’s new legislative and congressional maps.
Last month, the deadline for filing certificates of candidacy was extended from Feb. 22 to March 22. The newest order, however, now pushes that deadline back to April 15 at 9 p.m.
The deadline to withdraw a certificate of candidacy has also been extended to April 18, while the deadline to fill a vacancy in candidacy for a primary election has been extended to April 20. The deadline to challenge a candidate’s residency has been extended to April 21.
The order comes after the court received petitions challenging the validity of the 2022 legislative districting plan enacted by the General Assembly. A hearing on the merits of the case is scheduled for March 23.
Separately, the appeals court is hearing a challenge to the redistricting plan adopted by the General Assembly, which drew new boundaries for Maryland’s House of Delegates and state Senate districts.
In that case — being heard by retired judge Alan Wilner — three Republican state delegates and others say the maps were unfairly drawn to favor Democrats and don’t abide by Maryland constitutional guidelines.
The Republicans are seeking to have the map overturned in court.
The trial involves two lawsuits. One was brought by a group of Republican state lawmakers backed by Fair Maps Maryland. The other was brought by the national conservative activist group Judicial Watch.
A separate legal case involving a map approved earlier this year for the boundaries of the General Assembly is expected to begin next week.
The primary will feature nominating races for governor, a U.S. Senate seat, all eight congressional seats, state delegates and senators, and a number of county and local positions.
