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

Harmful Businesses Taxes and Fees

To allow the County to impose taxes and fees on the operators of businesses deemed to have an adverse impact on community health, safety, and welfare, or County economic development, including, but not limited to, tobacco stores, liquor stores, and self-storage, by removing the requirement that the public vote on such taxes and fees.

A vote FOR this measure will allow the County to impose taxes and fees, to the extent authorized by law, on operators of businesses that negatively impact the quality-of-life of County residents or economic development.

A vote AGAINST this measure will prevent the County from imposing taxes and fees on businesses that negatively impact the quality-of-life of County residents or economic development.

Explanation:

This charter amendment asks voters to allow lawmakers to levy taxes and fees on liquor stores, tobacco stores, self-storage facilities and other businesses “deemed to have an adverse impact on community health, safety, welfare, or county economic development,” without requiring voters to approve such taxes and fees in future elections. It’s not exactly clear what metrics the county would use to determine that a business falls under one of these categories. Under the county charter, local lawmakers cannot raise certain taxes and fees unless voters approve them on the ballot.

A FOR vote would grant the council the authority to levy new taxes and fees against businesses without additional approval from voters; an AGAINST vote would maintain the status quo.

Question B

Charter Amendment

Eliminate At-Large Council Members

Effective December 2030, and for each subsequent election cycle, this measure will reduce the County Council membership from 11 members to 9 members by eliminating the two at-large council seats which do not represent a specific council district. This measure will provide for more efficient and cost-effective elections and will restore the voting strength of communities and neighborhoods in each district.

A vote FOR the measure will reduce the County Council membership from 11 members to 9 members and eliminate spending of taxpayer dollars for general and special elections for at-large members and for the compensation of the offices for at-large members.

A vote AGAINST the measure will keep the County Council membership at 11 members and will not eliminate spending of taxpayer dollars for general and special elections for at-large members and for the compensation of the offices for at-large members.

Explanation:

This charter amendment would eliminate the County Council’s two at-large seats and decrease the size of the council from 11 members to nine, effective 2030. Voters approved the addition of the two at-large seats as part of a charter amendment in 2016.

A FOR vote would eliminate the two at-large positions on the council; an AGAINST vote would retain them.

Question C

Charter Amendment

Bill to Change Redistricting Plan

This measure provides that if the County Council passes a law to change the redistricting plan proposed by the Redistricting Commission it shall do so by bill and not by resolution after notice and public hearing.

A vote FOR this measure will correct Section 305 of the Charter to require the County Council to adopt a bill and not a resolution when it changes the redistricting plan proposed by the Redistricting Commission.

A vote AGAINST this measure will not correct Section 305 of the Charter and may result in the County Council adopting a resolution instead of a bill when it changes the redistricting plan proposed by the Redistricting Commission.

Explanation:

This charter amendment asks voters whether the Prince George’s County Council should approve changes to the redistricting plan proposed by the Redistricting Commission by passing a bill instead of a resolution. The commission convenes every 10 years to determine boundaries for councilmanic districts and makes recommendations to the council.

A FOR vote would require the council to approve changes to the redistricting plan with a bill, which requires the executive’s signature, rather than a resolution, which does not; an AGAINST vote would make no changes and would allow the council to approve changes to the redistricting plan with a bill or a resolution.

Question D

Charter Amendment

County Purchasing

This measure will allow the County Purchasing Agent to sign all purchasing documents to promote flexibility in conducting government operations. It will also allow the County to partner with other public entities to buy goods and services.

A vote FOR this measure will expand the signature authority of the County Purchasing Agent. It will also allow the County to partner with other public entities to buy goods and services.

A vote AGAINST this measure will maintain the current, more limited, signature authority of the County Purchasing Agent and will limit opportunities for the County to partner with other public entities to buy goods and services.

Explanation:

This charter amendment would expand the authority of the county purchasing agent to allow them to sign all purchasing documents “to promote flexibility in conducting government operations,” according to a legislative report. The county executive previously granted this expanded authority via executive order in 2025. The amendment would also allow the county to partner with other public entities to buy goods and services.

A FOR vote would expand the purchasing agent’s authority; an AGAINST vote would make no changes and maintain the agent’s current level of authority.

Question E

Charter Amendment

County Union Independent Arbitration Service

This policy will allow unionized County employees to submit disputed labor issues to an independent arbitration service for arbitration.

A vote FOR this measure will allow unionized County employees to use an additional independent arbitration service to resolve disputed labor issues.

A vote AGAINST this measure will maintain current labor dispute options for unionized County employees to resolve disputed labor issues.

Explanation:

This charter amendment asks voters whether unionized county employees should be allowed to ask an independent arbitrator to settle disputed labor issues. The charter currently allows employees to send labor disputes to the American Arbitration Association. This measure would allow them the option to also send disputes to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service.

A FOR vote would allow unionized county employees to use FMCS for arbitration; an AGAINST vote would keep the current system in place.

Question F

Bond Issue

Community College Facilities Bonds

This measure will allow the County to borrow money by issuing bonds of up to $67,306,000 to pay for the design, construction, acquisition, improvement, or repair of Community College Facilities.

A vote FOR this measure will allow the County to borrow money by issuing bonds to pay for Community College Facilities.

A vote AGAINST this measure will prevent the County from borrowing money by issuing bonds to pay for Community College Facilities.

Explanation:

This measure asks voters if the county should be allowed to borrow up to $67.3 million by issuing bonds to build, repair and upgrade community college facilities. The county funds major public infrastructure projects like libraries, roads and shelters in the same way.

A FOR vote would allow the county to take on debt for community college building projects; an AGAINST vote would prevent it.

Question G

Bond Issue

Public Works and Transportation Bonds

This measure will authorize the County to borrow money by issuing bonds of up to $140,089,000 to pay for roads, bridges, parking lots, and maintenance facilities.

A vote FOR this measure will allow the County borrow money by issuing bonds to pay for roads, bridges, parking lots, and maintenance facilities.

A vote AGAINST this measure will prevent the County from borrowing money by issuing bonds to pay for roads, bridges, parking lots, and maintenance facilities.

Explanation:

This measure asks voters if the county should be authorized to borrow up to $140.1 million by issuing bonds to pay for roads, bridges, parking lots and maintenance facilities. Prince George’s County is required by its charter to seek voter approval for major municipal borrowing, which is paid back over time using local tax dollars.

A FOR vote would allow the county to take on debt to fund transportation infrastructure; an AGAINST vote would prevent it.

Question H

Bond Issue

County Buildings Bonds

This measure will enable the County to borrow money by issuing bonds of up to $117,848,000 to pay for the design, construction, acquisition, improvement, or repair of County Buildings.

A vote FOR this measure will allow the County to borrow money by issuing bonds to pay for County buildings.

A vote AGAINST this measure will prevent the County from borrowing money by issuing bonds to pay for County buildings.

Explanation:

This measure asks voters whether the county should be allowed to borrow up to $117.8 million by issuing bonds to design, construct, renovate, repair and acquire government buildings. Prince George’s County is required by its charter to seek voter approval for major municipal borrowing, which is paid back over time using local tax dollars.

A FOR vote would allow the county to take on debt to fund county facilities; an AGAINST vote would prevent it.

Question I

Bond Issue

Library Facilities Bonds

This measure will allow the County to borrow money and issue bonds of up to $33,656,000 to build, expand, repair, or improve County library buildings and facilities. This includes acquiring and developing library sites, hiring architects and engineers, and purchasing equipment needed to operate those facilities.

A vote FOR this measure will allow the County to borrow money and issue bonds to build, expand and repair County library facilities.

A vote AGAINST this measure will prevent the County from borrowing money and issuing bonds to build, expand and repair County library facilities.

Explanation:

This proposed measure asks voters whether the county should be allowed to borrow about $33.7 million by issuing bonds to renovate the county’s libraries and facilities. The scope of these projects includes repairing and improving existing branches and sites, acquiring and developing library sites, hiring architects and engineers, and purchasing equipment needed to operate those facilities.

A FOR vote would allow the county to borrow this money for library projects; an AGAINST vote would deny it.

Question J

Bond Issue

Public Safety Facilities Bonds

This measure will allow the County to borrow money by issuing bonds in an amount of up to $53,503,000 to finance the design, construction, acquisition, improvement, or repair of Public Safety Facilities including Fire Department Facilities.

A vote FOR this measure will allow the County to borrow money by issuing bonds to pay for Public Safety Facilities.

A vote AGAINST this measure will prevent the County from borrowing money by issuing bonds to pay for Public Safety Facilities.

Explanation:

This proposed measure asks voters whether the county should be allowed to borrow about $53.5 million by issuing bonds to fund its public safety facilities. The county would use this money for fire department facilities, but the measure does not specify which projects or renovations the money would fund.

A FOR vote would allow the county to borrow this money for public safety facilities; an AGAINST vote would deny it.