Baltimore City Question E — Charter Amendment: Contract Bidding and Awards

What it does

Question E amends the City Charter to remove the requirement of awarding a contract to the lowest bidder, removes the process for resolving tie bids, and removes provisions governing the bid bonds and performance bonds required by some contractors. Voting for this Amendment removes these provisions from the Charter, which will become effective November 7, 2028, unless an ordinance or regulation governing the topic is adopted sooner. Voting against the amendment leaves the current Charter language governing contract bidding and awards in place.

A YES vote means

Baltimore City's charter would drop the lowest-bidder contract rule, the tie-bid process and the bid and performance bond provisions, effective November 7, 2028, unless an ordinance or regulation is adopted sooner.

A NO vote means

The current charter rules on contract bidding and awards would stay in place.

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

Background

Council Bill 26-0190, 'Charter Amendment – Procurement Reform,' was sponsored by Councilmember Odette Ramos and eight colleagues. It repeals the Charter requirement that the Board of Estimates award bids to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.

The Council's Charter Review Special Committee recommended it on May 20, 2026. The Council approved it on June 15, and the Mayor signed it on June 25, 2026, according to the City's legislative record.

Per the ballot text, if approved the repeal takes effect November 7, 2028, unless an ordinance or regulation on the topic is adopted sooner.

Put on the ballot by Baltimore City Council; signed by the Mayor June 25, 2026 (Council Bill 26-0190).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3.

Next elections here

• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Also on Baltimore City ballots

• Baltimore City Question A — Bond Issue: Affordable Housing Loan
• Baltimore City Question B — Bond Issue: School Loan
• Baltimore City Question C — Bond Issue: Community and Economic Development Loan
• Baltimore City Question D — Bond Issue: Public Infrastructure Loan
• Baltimore City Question F — Charter Amendment: Legislation, Budget, and Board of Estimates
• Baltimore City Question G — Charter Amendment: Franchises and Minor Privileges
• Baltimore City Question H — Charter Amendment: Department of Water and Wastewater
• Baltimore City Question I — Charter Amendment: Baltimore Baby Fund

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Quick answers

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

Baltimore City's charter would drop the lowest-bidder contract rule, the tie-bid process and the bid and performance bond provisions, effective November 7, 2028, unless an ordinance or regulation is adopted sooner.

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

The current charter rules on contract bidding and awards would stay in place.

How many votes does Baltimore City Question E 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 E?

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.