(This is the second in a series of articles about the ballot for the General Election.)
While it’s true that the Donald Trump-Joe Biden race has been absorbing almost all of the oxygen, there are a number of other items on the 2020 Maryland General Election ballot this year that voters should weigh in on. Voters who have decided to vote on Election Day (Tuesday, November 3) or during Early Voting (Monday, October 26, through Monday, November 2) have some time to spare. On the other hand, voters who have requested, or plan to request, mail-in ballots are strongly encouraged to return their completed ballots as soon as possible to facilitate the work of both the County Board of Elections and the U.S. Post Office. Those residents may be able to cast their ballots within a few weeks.
Following are the items on the ballot, in the order in which they appear for voting. One difference from the Primary Election is that write-in voting is permitted on appropriate items.
U.S. Representative, District 5
Chris Palombi is the Republican candidate. A former U.S. Capitol Police Officer, Palombi has chosen as his first venture into politics a challenge to incumbent Steny Hoyer. Palombi now works with Palombo Picasso Media and is webmaster and director of ice hockey operations for St. Mary’s Ryken High School in Leonardtown. He is an advocate for maintaining constitutional liberties, individual rights and freedoms, fiscal responsibility and limited government.
(chrispalombi.com)
Steny Hoyer is the Democratic Candidate. First elected to the House of Representatives in 1981, Hoyer now serves as the Congressional Majority Whip. Prior to his election to Congress, he served both as a senator and as the president of the Maryland State Senate. Among his priorities are addressing the climate crisis, improving Maryland schools, improving the criminal justice system and ensuring affordable health care.
Circuit Court Judges
Voters may vote for up to five of the six candidates in Circuit 7: April Ademiluyi, Wytonja Curry, ShaRon M. Grayson Kelsey, Jared Michael McCarthy, Cathy Serrette, and Gladys Weatherspoon. Curry, Kelsey, McCarthy and Serrette are currently sitting judges.
Special Appeals Judge
Judge E. Gregory Wells’s first term is coming to a close. The vote is “yes” or “no” to determine if he should continue in office. Martin O’Malley originally appointed him to the Circuit Court, and Governor Larry Hogan appointed him to his current position.
Ballot Questions
Question 1, Constitutional Amendment
This proposed amendment would take effect in Fiscal Year 2024. It would allow the General Assembly to alter the budget submitted by the governor by increasing, diminishing or adding items to it, provided the General Assembly does not exceed the total amount of the proposed budget as submitted by the governor. The vote is for or against the Constitutional Amendment. (Note: this amendment would increase the Assembly’s options.)
Question 2, Commercial Gaming Expansion Referendum
Do you approve the expansion of commercial gaming in the State of Maryland to authorize sports and events betting for the primary purpose of raising revenue for education?
In 2018 the U.S. Supreme Court effectively declared that it was up to the states to determine whether to allow sports and events betting. It is still illegal in Maryland by state law, though 22 states now allow it. If the voters pass this referendum, the General Assembly will be authorized to pass a law allowing the State Lottery and Gaming Control Commission to issue licenses to offer betting in Maryland on sports and other competitive events. The legislation would also require that generated revenues be used primarily for funding public education.
Three Bond Issues
Questions A through C relate to bond issues.
Question A would enable the county to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $178,150,000 to finance the repair, reconstruction, relocation, etc. of County Public Works and Transportation facilities.
Question B supports library facility bonds. The county could borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $28,829,000 for the improvement, rehabilitation, reconstruction, relocation, etc., of library facilities.
Question C would enable the county to borrow money and issue bonds in an amount not to exceed $44,477,000 to repair, rehabilitate, etc., public safety facilities, including Fire Department facilities.