Ballot questions ask voters to approve or reject spending items — typically bonds — or changes to the form, structure or purpose of local government, often by amending the charter. The questions are listed as they will appear on the ballot, with Banner staff providing an explanation of what the question would do and what a “for” or “against” vote means.

Question A

Charter Amendment

(Resolution No. 30-25)

Executive Branch – Merit System - Binding Arbitration

To amend the Anne Arundel County Charter to permit all authorized employee representatives to enter into binding arbitration to resolve labor disputes relating to the terms and conditions of employment.

Currently, only authorized employee representatives of uniformed firefighters and uniformed officers of the County Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, and Office of Detention Facilities may enter into binding arbitration with the County to resolve labor disputes relating to the terms and conditions of employment. There are several other labor organizations in the County that cannot enter into binding arbitration with the County.

A vote FOR the charter amendment would permit all authorized employee representatives to enter into binding arbitration to resolve labor disputes relating to the terms and conditions of employment.

A vote AGAINST the charter amendment would retain the current binding arbitration provisions in the County Charter, meaning only authorized employee representatives of uniformed firefighters and uniformed officers of the County Police Department, Sheriff’s Department, and Office of Detention Facilities may enter into binding arbitration to resolve labor disputes relating to the terms and conditions of employment.

Explanation:

Question A would allow all employee unions in Anne Arundel County government to enter binding arbitration to resolve labor disputes. Right now, the county charter allows only some employee unions to do so. A vote FOR the question would mean more unions could enter binding arbitration; a vote AGAINST the question would maintain the limit on which unions could do so.

Question B

Charter Amendment

(Resolution No. 15-26)

Legislative Branch – Officers – Specific Position Titles

To amend the Anne Arundel County Charter to remove specific position titles from the officers appointed by the Council.

Currently, the Charter provides that the County Council shall have an Administrative Officer appointed by the Council and other officers as provided in the County Council’s Rules of Procedure.

A vote FOR the charter amendment would remove from the County Charter the specific position titles of the officers the County Council may appoint.

A vote AGAINST the charter amendment would retain the current Charter provision that the County Council shall appoint an officer with the specific position title of Administrative Officer.

Explanation:

A vote FOR Question B would give the County Council more flexibility in who it could appoint or hire. The current charter language says the council shall appoint an administrative officer; the amendment would remove the specific position titles of officers the council could appoint.

Question C

Charter Amendment

(Resolution No. 18-26)

Executive Branch – Planning Advisory Board – Staggered Terms – Council Confirmation

To amend the Anne Arundel County Charter to establish staggered terms for the appointees to the Planning Advisory Board and to require County Council confirmation of County Executive appointments to the Planning Advisory Board.

Currently, the members of the Planning Advisory Board are appointed by the County Executive and serve terms coterminous with the County Executive or until their successors are appointed.

A vote FOR the charter amendment would require, starting December 2026, staggered initial terms for appointees to the seven-member County Planning Advisory Board and County Council confirmation of the County Executive’s appointees, meaning the County Executive, with the confirmation of the County Council, would appoint one member for a one-year term, two members for two-year terms, two members for three-year terms, and two members for four-year terms, with four-year terms for all members thereafter.

A vote AGAINST the charter amendment would retain the current terms of members of the Planning Advisory Board, meaning a term coterminous with the County Executive’s term or until their successor shall qualify, and retain the authority of the County Executive to appoint members of the Planning Advisory Board without confirmation of the County Council.

Explanation:

A vote FOR Question C would change the Planning Advisory Board. Currently, the county executive appoints members of the board, who serve the same period of time as the executive, or until a successor is appointed. A vote FOR the question would amend the charter so that the executive’s appointments would require County Council confirmation, and it would create staggered terms for Planning Advisory Board members.