ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Opponents of Maryland’s congressional redistricting map are getting close to the validated signatures needed to give voters a chance to reject the map in November.

They could reach the 55,736 valid signatures needed this week.

As of Tuesday, the Maryland State Board of Elections had validated 53,566 signatures.

Critics say the map approved by the Democrat-controlled General Assembly has been gerrymandered to favor Democrats at the expense of fair representation, while Democratic supporters say the changes reflect demographic shifts in the state’s population.

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