Posted on 10/30/24
| News Source: WBAL
Baltimore, MD - Oct. 30, 2024 - Marylanders casting a ballot this election aren’t just choosing the next elected leaders. There are a series of ballot questions in several counties and Baltimore City.
Statewide, all Maryland voters will decide Question 1, an amendment that asks whether reproductive rights should be enshrined in the state constitution — including abortion access.
However, voters will notice on the ballot itself that the question does not include the word “abortion” itself. While abortion rights are protected under Maryland law, the state lacks constitutional protections, which supporters said are the strongest safeguards to guarantee future rights to reproductive freedom. Opponents of the measure called the amendment deceptive and an all-out assault on parental rights in Maryland.
If approved, Question 1 of the Maryland 2024 Ballot would add a new section to the Declaration of Rights in Maryland, establishing a right to reproductive freedom in the state.
The following text would be added: “That every person, as a central component of an individual’s rights to liberty and equality, has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy. The state may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means. “
A vote in favor should support the constitutional amendment, while a vote against would not.
In all, Baltimore County voters will decide 12 ballot questions.
| PDF: Preview the Baltimore County ballot
| PDF: Preview the Baltimore County ballot
Question A would increase the size of County Council from seven members to nine members.
A “yes” vote supports increasing the size of the council, while a “no” vote would keep the council size the same.
Earlier this year, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski spoke with WBAL’s T.J. Smith and expressed his support for the question, saying it’s time to expand the council seats.
“We have said clearly and strongly that we think it’s time for Baltimore County to expand our council representation,” Olszewski said. “We have grown significantly since the council was established. We have seen hundreds of thousands of additional residents. We are larger. We are much more diverse.”
Baltimore County has had seven council members since the 1950s and has since tripled in size. If voters pass the measure in November, it would split the western district in two.
Question B involves the Baltimore County Office of the Inspector General. This charter amendment would make the office a permanent and separate government entity. It would essentially prevent the county government from interfering with the office’s operations.
A “yes” vote on this question supports the switch, while a “no” vote would keep IG’s office working in its current form.
Howard County voters will also vote on an inspector general’s office. A vote “yes” for Question A would support a charter amendment to create an independent office to oversee county government.
| PDF: Preview the Howard County ballot
A vote against would prevent the county from forming the office.
Perhaps the biggest question facing Baltimore City voters is the future of Harborplace. Some consider Question F controversial over its plan is to carve out a section of the public park collectively known as the Inner Harbor for a private apartment and mixed-use development project.
The question even went before the Maryland Supreme Court, where grassroots organizers tried but failed to get the question removed from the ballot.
| COURT DOCUMENT: Supreme Court’s summary opinion
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott’s office released a statement following the ruling:
“We’re thrilled that the Maryland Supreme Court saw through this charade of opposition-at-any-cost and ruled that Baltimore’s residents were capable of making their voices heard on the future of Harborplace. This revitalization is long-overdue, and we are looking forward to this ballot question passing so we can ensure the future of one of our City’s best assets remains bright.”
A vote yes on Question F would allow residential units at the Inner Harbor, while a vote “no” would prevent developers from building residential units.
City voters will also decide Question E, a city charter amendment that would make the police department an agency of the City Council. This is one of the final pieces needed for the city to have local control over the department, which is currently a state agency.
| PDF: Preview the Baltimore City ballot
A vote “yes” on this amendment would give the mayor and City Council authority over the police commissioner. A vote against the amendment would keep the current structure in place.
Voters will make another choice about the size of the Baltimore City Council. Question H asks voters whether they want to shrink the size of the City Council from 14 seats to eight.
A vote in favor would cut down the size of the council, while a vote against would keep the body at its current size of 14 seats.
The group, PEACE Baltimore, who received enough signatures to get Question H added to the ballot, said on its website that the reduction of the districts would save “significant taxpayers dollars and resources for Baltimore City.”
Zeke Cohen, Baltimore City councilman and Democratic nominee for City Council president, said residents could see a decline in service if it’s passed.
“I think it’s a terrible idea. I think Baltimore is finally seeing some real gains on public safety. We’re seeing record reductions in homicides, we’re seeing significant drop in shootings,” Cohen said. “To essentially double the size of City Council districts means that folks are going to get less constituent service. There is no other reality here.”
Cohen added that if the ballot measure passes, it could put the council in chaos.
Councilman Ryan Dorsey also opposed the ballot question.
“The question of whether 14 people is too many to do what my colleagues and I do every day is patently absurd,” Dorsey said.
If the charter amendment is approved, the mayor of Baltimore would need to approve a redistricting map based on the most recent census, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections.