Plaintiffs say current map ignores inside the Beltway communities
WASHINGTON— Following a lawsuit, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is disappointed in the U.S. District Court’s decision to uphold the 2021 Prince George’s County Council redistricting plan.
Alongside Gallagher, LLP, SPLC filed the lawsuit Cokely, et al. v. Honesty-Bey last year on behalf of County residents, alleging that the map violates the “one person, one vote” principle of the U.S. Constitution by creating districts with unequal populations. The current map ignores the effect of this inequality on neighborhoods within the County, which dilutes their influence on issues important to residents such as affordable housing, public safety and improved transit services.
“While we are disappointed by the court’s decision, our commitment to fair representation for Prince George’s County residents has not changed,” said Bradley Heard, Deputy Legal Director, SPLC. “This case has always been about whether voters’ voices carry equal weight and whether district lines reflect real communities. We are carefully reviewing the court’s opinion and evaluating our options going forward.”
To ensure all voters possess an equal voice, SPLC petitioned the court to rule in favor of creating fairer district boundaries in time for the 2026 elections. Plaintiffs emphasized that the case was rooted in long‑standing concerns raised by residents, particularly inside the Beltway communities, who have repeatedly spoken out about being split across multiple districts, which results in the power of their votes being diluted.
“This case highlighted serious questions about how population equality and compactness requirements are applied at the local level,” said Mark Saudek, partner, Gallagher, LLP. “Those questions will remain relevant for future redistricting cycles, regardless of this outcome.”
SPLC stressed that it will continue to advocate on behalf of plaintiffs for transparency, accountability and fairness in how political power is allocated in Prince George’s County.
“We brought this case to ensure that residents’ voices are heard and respected, and that commitment does not end with this court decision,” Heard concluded.
“For years, people in our neighborhoods have asked for council districts that keep communities together and treat every vote equally,” said Plaintiff Michael Andrew Carlisle, a Greenbelt resident. “Today’s ruling does not address those concerns, and it does not change our determination to keep advocating for fair representation for the communities we call home.”
To learn more about the case, click here.
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About the Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center is a catalyst for racial justice in the South and beyond, working in partnership with communities to dismantle white supremacy, strengthen intersectional movements and advance the human rights of all people. For more information, visit www.splcenter.org.