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

Baltimore City's stormwater system could not be sold or franchised, conduit space could be rented as a franchise, minor privileges to use city property would be granted by an executive agency instead of the Board of Estimates, and obsolete streetcar provisions would be removed.

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

The current charter rules on franchises and minor privileges would stay in place.

How many votes does Baltimore City Question G 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 G?

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 G — Charter Amendment: Franchises and Minor Privileges

Last updated Sat, Nov 7, 4:33 PM ET

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does: Question G amends the City Charter language governing how the City allows third parties to use certain City property. It adds the City's stormwater system to the list of City property that cannot be sold or rented out as a franchise. It clarifies that space in the City's conduit system can be rented out as a franchise, but the conduit system itself still cannot be sold. The Amendment also simplifies the general provisions governing franchise agreements and other such grants. The Amendment updates the language for granting minor privileges to use a portion of City property by clarifying the definition of minor privilege, including temporary and permanent varieties, and permitting minor privileges to be further identified and defined by ordinance. It also removes the Board of Estimates' authority to grant minor privileges, along with related processes, and instead allows minor privileges to be granted by an executive agency under a new process to be established by City ordinance. The Amendment also eliminates certain obsolete provisions in the Charter pertaining to street railways and trackless trolleys. Voting for this amendment brings about the changes described above with the following effective dates: November 7, 2028, for Charter sections that are removed, unless an ordinance or regulation governing that topic is adopted sooner; and December 3, 2026, for all other changes. Voting against the amendment leaves the current Charter language governing franchises and minor privileges in place.
A YES vote means: Baltimore City's stormwater system could not be sold or franchised, conduit space could be rented as a franchise, minor privileges to use city property would be granted by an executive agency instead of the Board of Estimates, and obsolete streetcar provisions would be removed.
A NO vote means: The current charter rules on franchises and minor privileges 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

Question G corresponds to Council Bill 26-0192, 'Charter Amendment – Minor Privileges,' sponsored by Councilmember Odette Ramos and six colleagues. The bill provides for granting minor privileges under a process set by ordinance and removes obsolete Charter provisions.

The 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, it adds the City's stormwater system to property that cannot be sold or franchised, removes provisions on street railways and trackless trolleys, and takes effect December 3, 2026 (with removed sections lapsing November 7, 2028).

Put on the ballot by Baltimore City Council; signed by the Mayor June 25, 2026 (Council Bill 26-0192).

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

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Baltimore City Question G mean?: Baltimore City's stormwater system could not be sold or franchised, conduit space could be rented as a franchise, minor privileges to use city property would be granted by an executive agency instead of the Board of Estimates, and obsolete streetcar provisions would be removed.
What does a NO vote on Baltimore City Question G mean?: The current charter rules on franchises and minor privileges would stay in place.
How many votes does Baltimore City Question G 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 G?: 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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