Late Wednesday, the Board of Elections notified Reardon Sullivan, head of the Committee for Better Government, that valid signatures on the petitions to limit the terms of service for the County Executive totaled more than 15 thousand. The petitions asked registered voters to limit the County Executive to two terms instead of the three currently designated in the County Charter.
According to a statement released by Board of Elections Election Director Boris Brajkovic,” Because the Committee has submitted more than 10,000 valid signatures, it is my determination that the petition meets the requirements to have the question appear on the 2024 Presidential General Election Ballot,”
Here’s how the question would appear on the ballot:
Charter amendment by petition
County Executive – Term Limit – Two Consecutive Terms
Amend Section 202 of the County Charter to decrease the term limit that applies to the
County Executive from the current three terms to two consecutive terms. The
decreased limit would apply to anyone who already has served two consecutive terms as of
December 2026.
FOR AGAINST
On Tuesday, Councilmember Evan Glass said the 10 thousand signature requirement fell short of a true representation of the will of the voters. He has sent a letter to the Maryland State Legislature requesting the level for petitions be raised to 5% of registered voters.
In response to Glass, Sullivan responded, “20,000 total signatures and 16,000 signatures valid… term limits is on the ballot with no competing amendment. I am deeply disappointed that Councilman Evan Glass is pushing to override the will of the people and change the state law on ballot petitions. His actions demonstrate that the politicians who are screaming “Defend Democracy” don’t really want Democracy on the ballot and don’t want to listen to or even consider the voices of all the citizens. Those pushing “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion”, only want diversity if it supports their position.”
According to the State Board of Elections, there are nearly 675 thousand registered voters in the county. A 5% quota would require about 34 thousand signatures.
Despite earlier indications of an opposing referendum, none will appear on the November ballot.
