Democratic sample ballot: Dorchester County

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. 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 vote AGAINST the amendment means that the law about funding agreements between the State and State employees stays the same. (Amending Article III of the Maryland Constitution)

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. 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 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. (Amending Article IV of the Maryland Constitution)

Currently, the County Charter requires the County Council to conduct an evaluation of the organizations, functions, powers, and duties of each department, agency, and office in the executive branch of the County government at least every four years. A vote in favor of the question amends the County Charter to specify that such evaluation of the County administrative structure shall be conducted within the first fiscal year of each County Council term. A vote against the question keeps the requirement that the County Council conduct the evaluation of the County administrative structure at least every four years.

Currently, the County Charter requires the County Council to prepare a proposed Budget for the ensuing fiscal year no later than May 1 and to adopt the Annual Budget no later than May 31, each year. A vote in favor of the question changes the proposed Budget deadline to May 15 each year and changes the Annual Budget adoption deadline to June 15, each year, to better align with revenue estimates. A vote against the question keeps the current deadlines in the County Charter for Budget preparation and Annual Budget adoption by the County Council.

Currently, the duties and responsibilities of the County Manager are specified in Section 405 of the County Charter. A vote in favor of the question amends the duties and responsibilities of the County Manager, as follows: clarifying when certain vacancies may be filled by the County Manager and when certain studies and investigations are performed by the County Manager; requiring the County Manager to attend all County Council meetings; providing for the appointment and function of an Assistant County Manager; clarifying that the County Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the County government; and establishing a process for the County Council when the County Manager position becomes vacant. A vote against the question will keep the duties and responsibilities of the County Manager as currently specified in the County Charter.

Currently, there are no provisions in the County Charter specific to transparency in County government functions or public access to County government records. A vote in favor of the question amends the County Charter to add a new section titled Governmental Transparency and Public Access with provisions to ensure transparency of governmental functions, public access to meetings (in person and remotely) and access to public records. A vote against the question keeps a new Governmental Transparency and Public Access section from being added to the County Charter.