What does a YES vote on Baltimore City Question B mean?

Baltimore City could borrow up to $60,000,000 for school purposes, including property, new or improved school buildings, athletic and community health and recreation facilities, and equipment.

What does a NO vote on Baltimore City Question B mean?

Baltimore City could not borrow this $60,000,000 for school purposes.

Would this raise my property tax?

The ordinance requires the City, while any of these bonds are outstanding, to levy an annual property tax at a rate sufficient to pay their interest and principal. It does not set a separate rate for this loan, and no official estimate of the cost per household was published.

How long could the City take to repay?

Each bond's principal must be repaid within 40 years of issuance; interest rates are set by the Board of Finance.

What happens if voters say no?

The ordinance does not take effect unless a majority of Baltimore City voters approve it, so the City could not borrow this money under it.

How many votes does Baltimore City Question B need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Baltimore City Question B?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Baltimore City Question B — Bond Issue: School Loan

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:07 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does: Question B authorizes the City to borrow up to $60,000,000 to be used for school purposes. The money may be used to acquire property in the City for these purposes and to build new or improve existing school buildings, athletic facilities, and community health and recreation facilities, along with all related costs. The money may also be used to acquire equipment for such facilities. Voting for this amendment allows the City to borrow this money. Voting against the amendment means the City is not allowed to borrow this money.
A YES vote means: Baltimore City could borrow up to $60,000,000 for school purposes, including property, new or improved school buildings, athletic and community health and recreation facilities, and equipment.
A NO vote means: Baltimore City could not borrow this $60,000,000 for school purposes.
Needed to pass: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Left–right lean: Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Today

Baltimore City may borrow this money only if voters approve the bond ordinance (Council Bill 26-0180); the ordinance says it will not take effect otherwise.
The City pays back its general obligation bonds from an annual property tax set at a rate sufficient to cover interest and principal.

If it passes

The City could borrow up to $60,000,000 by selling bonds, at one time or over time, through its Board of Finance, for school purposes.
Allowed uses include buying property, building new schools and improving existing school buildings, athletic and other auxiliary facilities including community health and recreation facilities, asbestos abatement, and equipment. The Baltimore City Board of School Commissioners must approve spending and building plans.
Each bond would have to be repaid within 40 years; while bonds are outstanding the City must levy enough property tax each year to pay them.

Who would notice

Baltimore City property taxpayers, who repay the debt, and the residents, organizations and projects that would receive the money.

How it got here

The City Council adopted Council Bill 26-0180 in May 2026 at the request of the Administration (Department of Planning), after the Baltimore City delegation to the General Assembly approved the borrowing by House and Senate resolutions of 2026. The ordinance sends it to voters on November 3, 2026.

Written by SpectrumVote from 3 linked sources (1, 2, 3). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Baltimore City Question B mean?: Baltimore City could borrow up to $60,000,000 for school purposes, including property, new or improved school buildings, athletic and community health and recreation facilities, and equipment.
What does a NO vote on Baltimore City Question B mean?: Baltimore City could not borrow this $60,000,000 for school purposes.
Would this raise my property tax?: The ordinance requires the City, while any of these bonds are outstanding, to levy an annual property tax at a rate sufficient to pay their interest and principal. It does not set a separate rate for this loan, and no official estimate of the cost per household was published.
How long could the City take to repay?: Each bond's principal must be repaid within 40 years of issuance; interest rates are set by the Board of Finance.
What happens if voters say no?: The ordinance does not take effect unless a majority of Baltimore City voters approve it, so the City could not borrow this money under it.
How many votes does Baltimore City Question B need to pass?: A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.
Should I vote yes or no on Baltimore City Question B?: SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.
When is the vote?: The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.

Not sure how to decide? Read our nonpartisan guide to the Baltimore City ballot.

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