Statewide ballot questions ask voters to approve changes to the state’s constitution or affirm or reject laws that have been petitioned to a referendum. The questions are listed as they will appear on the ballot, with Banner staff providing an explanation of what the question would do and what a “for” or “against” vote means.

Question 1

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)

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.

Explanation:

This amendment would change the state constitution to require the governor to include in their proposed state budget an estimate for all state employee pay and benefits covered by collective bargaining agreements, whether those terms are reached through negotiations or decided by a neutral decision-maker. The amendment would also establish a deadline for a neutral decision-maker to issue a decision.

A vote FOR the amendment would add these requirements to the state’s labor and budget processes; a vote AGAINST would keep the current system.

Question 2

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)

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.

Explanation:

This amendment would change rules for temporary appointments to the Commission on Judicial Disabilities, an 11-member body that investigates complaints about judges. It would allow temporary appointments when a member is recused, disqualified or reaches the end of their term, but would prevent the governor from temporarily appointing someone whose nomination was previously rejected by the state Senate.

A vote FOR would allow temporary appointments under these rules; a vote AGAINST would keep the current rules.

Question 3

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

Election Districts

The proposed Constitutional Amendment clarifies that certain standards in the Maryland Constitution apply only to districts used to elect members of the General Assembly; authorizes the General Assembly to grant original jurisdiction to the Supreme Court of Maryland to review the congressional districting plan of the State; and requires the criteria for boundaries of congressional districts to be determined by applicable federal laws.

(Amending Article III of the Maryland Constitution)

Explanation:

This amendment deals with congressional redistricting. The amendment would clarify that state constitutional language requiring compact districts that respect political and natural boundaries applies only to state legislative districts. A judge previously cited the language to reject a proposed congressional map, and amending the constitution is intended to clear the way for lawmakers to draw more partisan congressional districts. This amendment would not create new districts; lawmakers would still need to do that in the future.

A vote FOR the amendment would give state lawmakers more ability to draw more partisan congressional districts; a vote AGAINST the amendment would keep current redistricting rules.