Dorchester Question D — Charter Amendment: Governmental Transparency and Public Access

What it does

Currently, there are no provisions in the County Charter specific to transparency in County government functions or public access to County government records. A vote in favor of the question amends the County Charter to add a new section titled Governmental Transparency and Public Access with provisions to ensure transparency of governmental functions, public access to meetings (in person and remotely) and access to public records. A vote against the question keeps a new Governmental Transparency and Public Access section from being added to the County Charter.

A YES vote means

Dorchester's charter would add a Governmental Transparency and Public Access section covering open government, public access to meetings (in person and remote) and access to public records.

A NO vote means

No Governmental Transparency and Public Access section would be added to the charter.

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

The Dorchester County Council proposed this charter amendment by Resolution 687, according to the amendment text posted by the Maryland State Board of Elections.

It would add a new Section 606 requiring the Council to ensure that the public and media can attend meetings in person or remotely, observe, report on and broadcast them. It would also require access to non-exempt government records without unnecessary cost or delay, and prompt posting of approved meeting minutes.

According to the ballot summary, the charter now has no provisions specific to transparency or public access to county records.

Put on the ballot by Dorchester County Council (Resolution 687).

From official source.

Next elections here

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

Also on Dorchester County ballots

• Dorchester Question A — Charter Amendment: Administrative Structure Review
• Dorchester Question B — Charter Amendment: County Budget Preparation and Adoption Dates
• Dorchester Question C — Charter Amendment: County Manager Responsibilities

All Dorchester County races and measures →

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Dorchester Question D mean?

Dorchester's charter would add a Governmental Transparency and Public Access section covering open government, public access to meetings (in person and remote) and access to public records.

What does a NO vote on Dorchester Question D mean?

No Governmental Transparency and Public Access section would be added to the charter.

How many votes does Dorchester 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 Dorchester 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.