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

Baltimore City would create a Baltimore Baby Fund, used only to support the economic stability of families with newborns, with a required yearly contribution of $0.03 per $100 of taxable property value.

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

The Baltimore Baby Fund would not be created.

Does this create a new tax?

The amendment requires a budget contribution measured by property value ($0.03 per $100 of assessed value); it does not itself levy a new tax. The Banner describes the money as coming from existing property taxes.

How much would families get?

The amendment does not say. Mayor Scott's October 2026 executive order outlines an initial plan: a one-time cash payment for every newborn's parents, plus possible extra help for selected families (a payment during pregnancy, monthly cash assistance, a 529 college savings contribution and care coordination). The Mayor can change this framework at any time.

How much money is involved?

No official city estimate was found. The Maryland Child Alliance, which backs it, estimates about $17 million in the first year.

How many votes does Baltimore City Question I 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 I?

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 I — Charter Amendment: Baltimore Baby Fund

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

Ballot measure · November 3, 2026

What it does: Question I is a charter amendment to create the "Baltimore Baby Fund" as a new, separate fund in City government. The City could use money in the Baby Fund only to enhance the economic stability of families with newborns in Baltimore City. The City could not use money from the Baby Fund to replace funding for newborn children that already exists in this year's City budget. The amendment would require each year's City budget to include a contribution to the Baby Fund. The City's required annual contribution to the Baby Fund will be $0.03 for every $100 in taxable property value in the City. The Baby Fund will also be able to accept grants and donations. Money in the Baby Fund will stay in the Baby Fund until the City spends it for the benefit of families with newborns. The City could not transfer money in the Baby Fund to any other purpose. Voting for this amendment would create the Baltimore Baby Fund and require the City to fund it as described above. Voting against this amendment would mean that the Baltimore Baby Fund would not be created.
A YES vote means: Baltimore City would create a Baltimore Baby Fund, used only to support the economic stability of families with newborns, with a required yearly contribution of $0.03 per $100 of taxable property value.
A NO vote means: The Baltimore Baby Fund would not be created.
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: A YES vote leans strongly left; a NO vote leans the other way (AI-estimated from the official ballot summary, 70% confidence).

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 has no dedicated fund for families with newborns in its Charter.
Spending on newborns, like other city spending, is decided each year in the City budget (the Ordinance of Estimates).

If it passes

A new Charter section would create a continuing, non-lapsing Baltimore Baby Fund, to be used only to enhance the economic stability of families with newborns in Baltimore City.
Each year's budget would have to put into the Fund at least $0.03 for every $100 of assessed value of all taxable property in the City; the Fund could also take grants and donations.
The Fund could not replace newborn funding already in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, and unspent money would stay in the Fund instead of returning to the general fund.
The amendment does not set who qualifies or how much any family receives. A mayoral executive order says the Fund would exist as of December 3, 2026, with revenue starting in Fiscal Year 2028.

Who would notice

Families with newborns in Baltimore City, and the City budget, since the required contribution comes from city revenue that would otherwise be available for other uses.

How it got here

It was proposed by voter petition by the Maryland Child Alliance and is the only Baltimore City question this year that came from a citizen petition.

A 2024 version (the 'Baltimore Baby Bonus') would have required $1,000 payments per birth; the Banner reports the Maryland Supreme Court found that requirement undermined officials' discretion over city spending, and the payment language was dropped.

In the news

Baltimore's Baby Fund could aid new parents. Here's how it would work. · The Baltimore Banner, 2026-10-20

Written by SpectrumVote from 5 linked sources (1, 2, 3, 4, 5). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

Question I is a citizen-petition charter amendment; Baltimore Fishbowl reported that the Baltimore City Board of Elections notified the campaign it had at least the required 10,000 valid signatures, out of 13,890 submitted by the Maryland Child Alliance.

According to the State Board of Elections' description, the amendment would create a separate Baltimore Baby Fund that could be used only to enhance the economic stability of families with newborns, could not replace newborn funding already in the City budget, and could not be transferred to other purposes.

Each year's City budget would have to contribute $0.03 for every $100 of taxable property value in the City to the fund, which could also accept grants and donations; the measure leaves the specific uses to City officials.

An earlier 2024 version, which would have paid parents of newborns $1,000, was kept off the ballot after the Maryland Supreme Court found it improper, according to Baltimore Fishbowl.

Put on the ballot by Citizen petition (Maryland Child Alliance); signatures validated by the Baltimore City Board of Elections, 2026.

From official source.

In the news

Baltimore Baby Fund gets enough signatures to appear on November ballot · Baltimore Fishbowl

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Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Baltimore City Question I mean?: Baltimore City would create a Baltimore Baby Fund, used only to support the economic stability of families with newborns, with a required yearly contribution of $0.03 per $100 of taxable property value.
What does a NO vote on Baltimore City Question I mean?: The Baltimore Baby Fund would not be created.
Does this create a new tax?: The amendment requires a budget contribution measured by property value ($0.03 per $100 of assessed value); it does not itself levy a new tax. The Banner describes the money as coming from existing property taxes.
How much would families get?: The amendment does not say. Mayor Scott's October 2026 executive order outlines an initial plan: a one-time cash payment for every newborn's parents, plus possible extra help for selected families (a payment during pregnancy, monthly cash assistance, a 529 college savings contribution and care coordination). The Mayor can change this framework at any time.
How much money is involved?: No official city estimate was found. The Maryland Child Alliance, which backs it, estimates about $17 million in the first year.
How many votes does Baltimore City Question I 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 I?: 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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