Under Election Law Article, ยง 7-103(c)(5)(i), the State Board is making available for public comment the text of ballot questions for the 2026 general election. Members of the public may submit comments to info.sbe@maryland.gov. Question drafters will consider only comments received by 5pm Eastern on July 30, 2026.
Question A
Charter Amendment
Gender Neutrality
The County Charter uses gender-specific words like "he" and "she". The Charter Amendment would replace these types of words with gender-neutral words like "they" and "them".
A vote for the Amendment would make gender-neutral changes to the Charter. A vote against the Amendment would leave gender-specific words unchanged in the Charter.
I am FOR this amendment.
My commentary on this amendment will be available soon. - Nater
Question B
Charter Amendment
Affordable For-Sale Housing Projects
The County Charter only allows the County to use its capital budget to finance an affordable housing project in its Housing Opportunities Trust Fund if the County owns the project. The Charter Amendment would change this requirement by allowing the County to use its capital budget to finance some or all of an affordable housing project if the project meets certain criteria. The County is not required to own or construct the project, but the Howard County Housing Commission or another entity controlled by the Housing Commission must own the project. The project must only have housing units for sale. The County would repay the bonds for the project over a defined time period, typically 20-30 years, and the affordable for-sale housing units must remain affordable for that period.
A vote for the Charter Amendment would allow the County to use its capital budget to finance these affordable for-sale housing projects. A vote against the Charter Amendment would require these affordable for-sale housing projects to be financed in ways other than the County's capital budget.
I am AGAINST this amendment, but probably not for why you think.
My commentary on this amendment will be available soon. - Nater
