Maryland voters will see three statewide constitutional amendments on the November 3, 2026 general election ballot, covering state employee bargaining, a judicial discipline panel and the rules for drawing election districts. Many counties and Baltimore City also have their own questions, so the ballot may run longer than the list of candidates suggests.
This guide summarizes the questions as described by the Maryland State Board of Elections, explains why they are on the ballot and sets out the voting dates that apply.
What are ballot questions, and why are they on the ballot?
A ballot question puts a decision directly to voters rather than to elected officials. In Maryland, a statewide constitutional amendment must first be passed by the General Assembly, and then voters decide whether it takes effect. That is why the questions carry chapter numbers: each is tied to a measure the legislature enacted in 2026 for placement on the ballot.
Local questions work the same way at a smaller scale. County and city charters, which act as local constitutions, are changed by voters, and local borrowing for projects such as schools and roads is often put to voters as a bond question.
For background on the body that places these measures before voters, see our explainer on how the Maryland General Assembly works.
The three statewide questions at a glance
| Question | Subject | Source measure |
|---|---|---|
| Question 1 | Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026 | Chapter 155 (HB 604) |
| Question 2 | Temporary appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities | Chapter 878 (SB 933) |
| Question 3 | Electoral districts for the General Assembly and congressional representatives | Chapter 881 (HB 2100) |
All three are constitutional amendments, according to the State Board of Elections.
What would Question 1 change for state employees?
Question 1 carries the title “Arbitration Reform for State Employees Act of 2026.” According to the State Board of Elections, the ballot language begins by providing that each budget the governor submits must include the proposed expenditures necessary to implement wages, hours, fringe benefits, health benefits and other terms and conditions of employment.
In plain terms, the amendment would require the governor’s budget to fund the terms of state employee bargaining agreements, whether those terms were reached by agreement or ordered by a neutral decider. A “yes” vote would add that requirement to the Constitution; a “no” vote would leave current practice in place.
The question is mainly about how the budget and collective bargaining fit together. It does not set any particular wage or benefit level.
What does Question 2 do about the Commission on Judicial Disabilities?
Question 2 is titled “Temporary Appointments on the Commission on Judicial Disabilities.” The ballot language, as published by the State Board, authorizes temporary substitute appointments to the commission when a member is recused. The Board’s summary adds that substitutes could also serve when a member is disqualified or when a member’s term expires.
The amendment is a procedural fix: on the Board’s description, it would let the commission fill a seat temporarily when a member cannot take part in a matter or when a term lapses. It deals with how a commission is staffed rather than with any change in policy, but like the others it needs voter approval to take effect.
A “yes” vote would write the temporary-substitute authority into the Constitution; a “no” vote would leave the current rules unchanged. The Board’s page does not describe any other effect, and readers who want the full wording can find it in the question text published on the Board’s site.
Why was the language of Question 3 revised?
Question 3, titled “Electoral Districts – General Assembly and Congressional Representatives,” is the most complex of the three. According to the State Board of Elections, its language was revised pursuant to an order of the Supreme Court of Maryland dated September 3, 2026, in a case captioned Maryland State Board of Elections, et al. v. Lindsay Wheatley. The Board’s page also cites a related case, Maryland State Board of Elections v. Michael L. Howell, and notes that the Spanish translation of the question was still forthcoming.
As revised, the question would:
- Clarify that certain districting requirements apply only to districts for the election of members of the state Senate and the House of Delegates.
- Allow the General Assembly to give the Supreme Court of Maryland original jurisdiction to review the congressional districting plan.
- State that the Maryland Constitution sets no criteria for the boundaries of congressional districts.
Readers should look at the full text on their sample ballot, because the Board’s page notes that the complete language is available in linked documents. For how state legislative districts are drawn and why they matter, see our guide to how Maryland’s 47 legislative districts work.
Which local questions appear on the ballot?
According to the State Board of Elections, local questions appear in several jurisdictions. The Board’s page lists questions for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Cecil, Dorchester, Frederick, Howard, Prince George’s and Wicomico counties, as well as Baltimore City. The subjects vary widely:
- Charter changes: Examples include a term-limits question in Frederick County, a question on budget submission dates in Cecil County and a question on eliminating at-large council seats in Prince George’s County.
- Borrowing: Baltimore County, Baltimore City and Prince George’s County list bond questions for items such as schools, public works and community facilities.
- Administrative structure: Several counties ask voters to adjust how appointed boards, budgets or county departments operate.
Which of these you see depends on where you live, so a sample ballot from your local board of elections is the most reliable preview.
What dates and deadlines apply to voting?
The State Board of Elections lists these dates for the November 3, 2026 general election:
| Item | Date |
|---|---|
| Online or mail voter registration deadline | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 |
| Early voting | Thursday, October 22 through Thursday, October 29, 2026, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Mail-in ballot request (mailed or faxed, or submitted online for delivery by mail) | Received or submitted by Tuesday, October 27, 2026 |
| Mail-in ballot request (delivered by email, to download and print) | Online by Friday, October 30, 2026 |
| Election Day | Tuesday, November 3, 2026, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
Mail-in ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before November 3, and ballots returned by hand must reach an approved drop box or the local board of elections by 8 p.m. on Election Day. The Board urges early return because of possible postal delays. The Board also says voters can register and vote during early voting or on Election Day, with proof of residence.
For step-by-step detail on requesting and returning a ballot, see our guide on how to vote by mail in Maryland, and for hours and a checklist, our overview of key dates and voting hours.
How should you read a ballot question?
Ballot questions are written in formal legal language, and the first words can sound like a statute. A few habits help:
- Read the title first. It tells you the subject area, such as arbitration or districting.
- Find the action verb. Phrases such as “authorizing,” “clarifying” or “providing” describe what the amendment does.
- Note who gains authority. Several of these questions move power between the governor, the legislature and the courts.
- Know what each vote means. A “for” vote approves the change; an “against” vote keeps the current rule.
- Look up the sponsoring measure. The chapter and bill numbers in the table above lead to the legislative record, including the fiscal and policy notes prepared by legislative staff.
It also helps to read the questions at home first. Early voting runs for eight days, so there is time to compare the sample ballot with the Board’s published question pages before heading to a voting center, and voters who are in line by 8 p.m. may still cast a ballot, according to the Board.
Conclusion: three amendments, one ballot
The three statewide questions touch the way Maryland budgets for its workforce, staffs its judicial discipline process and handles legal review of election maps. Each needs voter approval to become part of the state Constitution. Because local questions vary by county, the best preparation is to pull up a sample ballot, read the full text and decide before arriving at an early voting center or polling place.
This article is general information about the ballot as published by the Maryland State Board of Elections and is not voting advice. Confirm current details with the Board or your local board of elections.
Sources: Maryland State Board of Elections
