Among the many questions on the ballot this November, Question 5 — regarding the congressional redistricting plan — is important for all Marylanders. The issue has lacked publicity and the ballot wording is confusing, so it is important for voters to understand Question 5 will decide whether to ratify the new map — enacted by the General Assembly last year — for continued use in 2014-2020.

As a proud Democrat and Marylander, I urge my fellow Marylanders of both parties to vote against Question 5.

It’s one thing for the new map to provide one party with an advantage. But it’s deeply concerning how the new map harms and effectively disenfranchises certain rural and suburban Marylanders. Using thin ribbons, the redistricting plan ties together small population areas with distant and unrelated large population centers. In this manner, parts of Frederick and Carroll Counties were tied with a ribbon into the new 8th (mostly lower Montgomery County), central Anne Arundel County was tied into the new 4th (mostly western Prince George’s County) and much of northern Baltimore County was tied into the new 7th (mostly Baltimore City). The new map can be seen on the state’s web site at http://www.mdp.state.md.us/redistricting/2010/congDist.shtml.

If we vote against Question 5 and reject the map, the governor and General Assembly will have to enact a new map — hopefully with more cohesive districts — for use in our 2014-2020 elections. Please vote on Nov. 6 and vote against Question 5.

STEVE SHAPIRO

steves@md.net

With a hotly contested presidential election, this university has made registering to vote much easier for students. Voting is a way to express our citizenship and make our voices heard, so it is fantastic to see so many fellow students signing up to vote. Whether someone identifies with Democrats, Republicans, independents, Greens or any other party, voting is a vital part of the political process. However, the online registration for students seems to have neglected Maryland law in fair voter registration. Having been a registered voter since the summer of 2011, I decided to take a look at the online process to see what it was like. Much to my dismay, I noticed this university had left several small third parties off the political party menu. It did leave a spot for “other,” but this puts these parties at a distinct disadvantage when it comes to registration. My friend who registered at this university, but not online, saw the options to vote for third parties registered in the state of Maryland. I registered when I got my driver’s license and saw these same parties, such as the Green and Conservative parties.

Perhaps it was a mistake, but this university must show all registered parties — not just the major ones. Otherwise it is an unfair process of registering voters. Hopefully this can be corrected before the next election cycle so all parties have a chance to be heard in the political process.

MATT DRAGONETTE

FRESHMAN

ACCOUNTING