Maryland ballot

Maryland voters will decide Question 1, a constitutional amendment (Chapter 155, House Bill 604 of 2026) referred by the General Assembly. Per the official ballot language, it would require each budget the Governor submits to include the spending needed to carry out the terms of collective bargaining agreements with State employees, whether those terms were reached by agreement or by a neutral decision-maker's order. Constitutional amendments take effect only if approved by voters.

A yes vote: 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: A vote AGAINST the amendment means that the law about funding agreements between the State and State employees stays the same.

Maryland voters will decide Question 2, a constitutional amendment (Chapter 878, Senate Bill 933 of 2026) referred by the General Assembly. Per the official ballot language, it would allow temporary substitute members on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities when a member is recused or disqualified or a member's term expires without a replacement, either by the Commission Chair recalling a former member or by the Governor, at the Chair's request, appointing a substitute or extending a current member's term.

A yes vote: 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: 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.

Maryland voters will decide Question 3, a constitutional amendment (Chapter 881, House Bill 2100 of the 2026 Special Session) referred by the General Assembly. The ballot wording was set by a Sept 3, 2026 order of the Supreme Court of Maryland in litigation over the question's language. According to the Department of Legislative Services summary, it would make the Article III, Section 4 districting standards (adjoining territory, compactness, substantially equal population, regard for natural and political boundaries) apply only to state Senate and House of Delegates districts, state that nothing in the Maryland Constitution provides criteria for congressional district boundaries, and let the General Assembly give the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction to review congressional districting plans.

A yes vote: Per the Department of Legislative Services summary: the Article III, Section 4 districting standards would apply only to General Assembly districts; nothing in the Maryland Constitution, including the Declaration of Rights, would provide criteria for congressional district boundaries; and the General Assembly could grant the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction to review congressional districting plans.

A no vote: The Constitution stays as it is. Per the summary, under current law each legislative district must be adjoining, compact and of substantially equal population with due regard for natural and political boundaries; a 2022 Anne Arundel County Circuit Court ruling held those standards also apply to congressional districts; and a state-court challenge to a congressional plan must be brought in a circuit court.