Baltimore County Question D — Charter Amendment: Charter Review Commission – Membership

What it does

This Charter Amendment increases the number of Charter Review Commission members appointed by the County Council from seven to nine for purposes of matching the expansion of the County Council. This would amend Section 1203(a) of the Baltimore County Charter. A vote FOR the amendment increases the number of Charter Review Commission appointments made by County Council members from seven (7) to nine (9). A vote AGAINST the amendment keeps the current Charter provisions, under which County Council members make seven (7) appointments to the Charter Review Commission.

A YES vote means

County Council members would make nine appointments to the Charter Review Commission instead of seven.

A NO vote means

County Council members would keep making seven appointments to the Charter Review Commission.

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

Who would notice

The County Council and County Executive, who appoint the Charter Review Commission, and residents who may serve on it. The next commission would be appointed by March 1, 2027. It has no tax effect.

How it got here

Bill 47-24, which put the 2024 Council-expansion question on the ballot, updated other boards (such as the Board of Appeals and Planning Board) for nine Council appointees, but the Council says the Charter Review Commission was "inadvertently not included." Councilman David Marks introduced Bill 52-26 on April 20, 2026 as a technical update, and the Council passed it, sending it to voters.

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

Background

Baltimore County voters approved expanding the County Council from seven to nine members in the 2024 general election, beginning with the 2026 election, according to the recitals of Bill 52-26.

The bill states that Bill 47-24, which put the 2024 expansion on the ballot, updated several boards for nine Council appointees but 'inadvertently' left out the Charter Review Commission; Bill 52-26 would raise the Commission from eleven to thirteen members, one appointed by each Council member and two by the County Executive, plus a chair appointed by the Council chair.

Councilman David Marks introduced the bill on April 20, 2026, and the Council passed it 6–0 on May 21, 2026, with the Third District seat vacant after Councilman Wade Kach's resignation; if voters approve, it takes effect 30 days after the election.

Put on the ballot by Baltimore County Council, 6–0, May 21, 2026 (Bill 52-26; introduced by Councilman David Marks).

From official source 1, official source 2, official source 3, official source 4.

Who's for and against

A sourced selection, not a complete list. Who supports a measure is listed so you can see who is behind each side; SpectrumVote takes no position.

Next elections here

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

Also on Baltimore County ballots

• Baltimore County Question A — Charter Amendment: Baltimore County Farmland Preservation Act (URDL)
• Baltimore County Question B — Charter Amendment: Department of Agriculture – Establishment of Department
• Baltimore County Question C — Charter Amendment: Inspector General Appointment Board
• Baltimore County Question E — Charter Amendment: Board of Recreation and Parks – Membership and Duties
• Baltimore County Question F — Bond Issue: Refuse Disposal Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question G — Bond Issue: Community College Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question H — Bond Issue: Public Works Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question I — Bond Issue: Parks, Preservation and Greenways Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question J — Bond Issue: School Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question K — Bond Issue: Agricultural and Rural Land Preservation Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question L — Bond Issue: Community Improvement Project Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question M — Bond Issue: Waterway Improvement Program Borrowing
• Baltimore County Question N — Bond Issue: Operational Buildings Borrowing

All Baltimore County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Baltimore County Question D mean?

County Council members would make nine appointments to the Charter Review Commission instead of seven.

What does a NO vote on Baltimore County Question D mean?

County Council members would keep making seven appointments to the Charter Review Commission.

Why does this need a vote?

The Commission's size is set in the County Charter, and Charter amendments must be approved by county voters.

When is the next Charter Review Commission?

The Charter requires it to be appointed by March 1 in the seventh year of each decade, which would be 2027.

How many votes does Baltimore County Question D 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 County Question D?

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.