Baltimore County Question M — Bond Issue: Waterway Improvement Program Borrowing

What it does

AN ORDINANCE to authorize and empower Baltimore County, Maryland to borrow $20,000,000 for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension, alteration, repair and modernization of waterway improvement and stormwater-related projects, including but not limited to: shoreline stabilization; shore erosion control; wetland restoration; streambank and riverbank restoration; stabilization and reconstruction; control and monitoring of nonpoint pollutants; landscaping; dredging; planting of trees and similar waterway improvement projects in residential, rural and commercial areas; and engineering and other services incident thereto, to be undertaken pursuant to Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter. A vote FOR the bond issue authorizes Baltimore County to borrow $20,000,000 for acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension, alteration, repair and modernization of waterway improvement and stormwater-related projects. A vote AGAINST the bond issue precludes Baltimore County from borrowing 20,000,000 for acquisition, construction, reconstruction, extension, alteration, repair and modernization of waterway improvement and stormwater-related projects.

A YES vote means

Baltimore County could borrow $20,000,000 for waterway and stormwater projects such as shoreline stabilization, erosion control, wetland and stream restoration, dredging and tree planting.

A NO vote means

Baltimore County could not borrow this $20,000,000 for waterway improvement and stormwater projects.

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

This question comes from Bill 49-26, introduced by Council Chair Michael Ertel at the request of the County Executive on April 20, 2026; under Sections 705(a) and 718 of the Baltimore County Charter, county borrowing of this kind must be approved by voters at a referendum.

According to the bill, the amount comes from a Borrowing Plan developed from Planning Board recommendations, reviewed by the County Administrative Officer and Director of Budget and Finance, and submitted by the County Executive to the County Council.

The bill authorizes the county to borrow up to $20,000,000 for waterway improvement projects by issuing general obligation bonds backed by its full faith and credit; the Council passed it with six recorded aye votes and no nays, according to the bill's legislation detail.

Put on the ballot by Baltimore County Council (Bill 49-26), by request of the County Executive.

From official source.

Next elections here

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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 D — Charter Amendment: Charter Review Commission – Membership
• 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 N — Bond Issue: Operational Buildings Borrowing

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Quick answers

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

Baltimore County could borrow $20,000,000 for waterway and stormwater projects such as shoreline stabilization, erosion control, wetland and stream restoration, dredging and tree planting.

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

Baltimore County could not borrow this $20,000,000 for waterway improvement and stormwater projects.

How many votes does Baltimore County Question M 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 M?

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.