Democratic sample ballot: Wicomico 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)

A revision of the Charter of Wicomico County to permit the Council Administrator to keep minutes of meetings by written minutes, digital recordings, or a combination thereof. A vote in favor of the question permits the Council Administrator to keep minutes of the meetings by written minutes, digital recordings, or a combination thereof. A vote against the question requires the Council Administrator to continue to manually type minutes of the meetings.

A revision of the Charter of Wicomico County to require formal communications from the Council to the Executive Branch be addressed to the County Executive, unless for the purpose of inquiry or information, which will allow members of the County Council and Council staff to communicate directly with officers or employees of the Executive Branch. A vote in favor of the question clarifies that the County Council and Council staff may directly communicate with officers and employees of the Executive Branch for the sole purpose of inquiry or information. A vote against the question maintains the requirement that all formal communications from the Council to the Executive Branch shall be addressed to the County Executive.

A revision of the Charter of Wicomico County providing that an Acting Director of Administration, Acting Department Head or Acting Deputy Director shall be a current employee of Wicomico County at the time of appointment. Further providing that a newly elected County Executive may appoint a person who is not a current County employee to serve as Acting Director of Administration for a period not to exceed Six (6) months or until a Director of Administration is appointed, whichever occurs first. A vote in favor of the question requires that an Acting Director of Administration, Acting Department Head or Acting Deputy Director shall be a current employee of Wicomico County at the time of appointment. A vote in favor of the question also permits a newly elected County Executive to appoint a person who is not a current County employee to serve as Acting Director of Administration for a period not to exceed Six (6) months from the date the County Executive assumes office or until a Director of Administration is appointed, whichever occurs first. A vote against the question permits the County Executive to appoint an Acting Director of Administration or Acting Head of a Department or Agency without the requirement that the appointment be a current employee of Wicomico County. A vote against the question also does not limit the duration of the appointment for an Acting Director of Administration by a newly elected County Executive.

A revision of the Charter of Wicomico County to add a definition of “Work Rules,” which shall mean policies, procedures, directive standards or requirements governing employee conduct, performance, attendance, workplace behavior, use of County property or resources or other conditions of employment. Work rules include provisions that may result in disciplinary action, suspension, loss of privileges, revocation of authorizations, termination of employment, or other employment-related consequences for failure to comply. A vote in favor of the question adds a definition of “Work Rules” to the County Charter. “Work Rules” establish policies, procedures and standards for workplace conduct, and may result in disciplinary action. A vote against the question means a definition of “Work Rules” will not be inserted in the Charter.