washington u.s. court thursday reject bid republican voters throw congressional district draw democratic lawmakers maryland three-judge panel sit baltimore divide 2-1 also put action case hold pending u.s. supreme court upcoming decision similar case wisconsin could set new test court nationwide handle claim heart maryland case decision redraw state sixth congressional district previously hold republican hold democrat challengers say move partisan gerrymander violation u.s. constitution intentionally dilute republican vote gerrymander manipulation electoral boundaries gain political advantage new map introduce republican representative roscoe bartlett lose 2012 election democrat john delaney democrats hold seven state eight congressional seat state governor larry hogan republican widespread nature gerrymander modern politics match almost universal absence defend negative effect democracy judge paul niemeyer republican appointee write dissent opinion indeed democrats republicans decry wield opponents nonetheless continue gerrymander self interest give opportunity add two judge democratic appointees oct. u.s. supreme court hear oral arguments republican line-drawing wisconsin democrats say dilute vote case give court opportunity issue rule say whether challenge gerrymander bring map draw solely partisan ground court previously throw map evidence state seek dilute vote racial minority high court decision could dictate whether maryland case move forward u.s. court reject bid throw maryland electoral map