Baltimore Mayor To Unveil Redistricting Map
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake is unveiling a redistricting plan that some say favors her supporters.
Rawlings-Blake's staffers say the map being released Monday reflects an effort to divide the population evenly, keep neighborhoods whole and respect the racial makeup of the city, as required by federal law.
But critics say the changes in East Baltimore could favor a mayoral aide said to be considering a council run, and the shifting boundaries in South Baltimore could benefit two council members with close ties to Rawlings-Blake.
The mayor's proposal reflects population shifts of the last decade, in which Baltimore lost an estimated 20,000 residents.
Under a city charter deadline, the map had to be redrawn before the release of comprehensive census data. It must be approved by April 1.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
