Frederick County, MD

Official ballot wording

Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 155 of the 2026 Legislative Session)

Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026

Providing that each budget submitted by the Governor shall include proposed expenditures necessary to implement wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment in each collective bargaining memorandum of understanding with State employees, whether the State and State employees reached those terms and conditions by mutual agreement or through a neutral decider's order.

(Amending Article III of the Maryland Constitution)

Choices: For the Constitutional Amendment / Against the Constitutional Amendment

A YES vote (For the Constitutional Amendment): A vote FOR this amendment means that the Governor has to include money in the proposed State budget to pay for agreements between the State and its employees. Agreements might include changes to wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits, and other terms and conditions of employment. The Governor must put enough money in the State budget to cover the agreed upon pay and benefits for employees, whether those terms were negotiated or decided by a neutral decision-maker.

A NO vote (Against the Constitutional Amendment): A vote AGAINST the amendment means that the law about funding agreements between the State and State employees stays the same.

To pass: a majority of the votes cast on the question.

Full text, statements for and against

Official ballot wording

Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 878 of the 2026 Legislative Session)

Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities

Authorizing temporary substitute appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused or disqualified, or when a member's term expires. In these situations, the Commission Chair may recall a former member of the Commission, or the Governor, at the request of the Commission Chair, may appoint a temporary substitute member or extend the term of a current member until a permanent replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission.

(Amending Article IV of the Maryland Constitution)

Choices: For the Constitutional Amendment / Against the Constitutional Amendment

A YES vote (For the Constitutional Amendment): A vote FOR this amendment means that temporary appointments to the Commission are allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends without a replacement. The Commission Chair can temporarily fill an opening on the Commission with a former member. The Governor can, at the request of the Commission Chair pick a temporary substitute to fill an opening on the Commission or extend the term of a current member until a replacement is appointed. Only individuals who meet the constitutional eligibility requirements may be recalled or appointed to the Commission.

A NO vote (Against the Constitutional Amendment): A vote AGAINST the amendment means that current membership rules for the Commission stay the same. Temporary appointments are not allowed if a member is recused, disqualified, or if a member's term ends.

To pass: a majority of the votes cast on the question.

Full text, statements for and against

Official ballot wording

Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 881 of the 2026 Legislative Session)

Electoral Districts – General Assembly and Congressional Representatives

FOR the purpose of clarifying that certain requirements apply only to districts for the election of members of the Senate of Maryland and the House of Delegates; authorizing the General Assembly to grant original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court of Maryland to review the congressional districting plan of the State; and providing that nothing in the Maryland Constitution provides applicable criteria for the boundaries of a congressional districting plan.

(Amending Article III of the Maryland Constitution)

Choices: For the Constitutional Amendment / Against the Constitutional Amendment

A YES vote (For the Constitutional Amendment): Approves the amendment as worded: the constitution's district requirements would apply only to Maryland Senate and House of Delegates districts, the General Assembly could let the Supreme Court of Maryland review the congressional map directly, and the constitution would set no criteria for congressional district lines.

A NO vote (Against the Constitutional Amendment): The amendment is not adopted and this part of the Maryland Constitution stays as it is.

To pass: a majority of the votes cast on the question.

From the official explanatory statement: The ballot wording was set by a Supreme Court of Maryland order dated September 3, 2026. The State Board of Elections did not publish separate FOR and AGAINST statements for this question.

Full text, statements for and against

Official ballot wording

Charter Amendment

Term limits for the County Council and County Executive

This Charter Amendment would prohibit a County Council member from serving more than three terms in their lifetime and prohibit the County Executive from serving more than two terms in their lifetime.

Choices: FOR the Charter Amendment / AGAINST the Charter Amendment

A YES vote (FOR the Charter Amendment): A vote for the charter amendment would limit a County Council member from serving more than three terms and a County Executive from serving more than two terms.

A NO vote (AGAINST the Charter Amendment): A vote against the Charter Amendment would continue to permit a County Council member to serve no more than three consecutive terms, and a County Executive from serving more than two consecutive terms.

To pass: a majority of the votes cast on the question.

Full text, statements for and against