This story was originally posted on Oct. 13
Besides casting ballots for governor, county executive, council and school board, voters in November will be asked their opinions on several amendments to the station constitution and one concerning the Montgomery County constitution.
The question to make it legal for anyone 21 years or older to use marijuana is drawing the most interest, but other questions involve allowing the sale of alcohol in Damascus and how to remove the county attorney are important also.
Damascus voters are being asked to allow beer, wine and liquor licenses to be sold at restaurants and hotels that have at least 40% of their gross receipts from food sales. Beer and wine, but not liquor, can be sold at hotels and restaurants as of 2012.
A county amendment, if approved, will give the executive or the council the power to initiate removal of the county attorney. If the executive asks to remove the county attorney, the council then will have 30 days to agree, or not. If council does not respond within 30 days, the attorney would remain in the job.
If the council wants to have the attorney fired, the executive has 15 days to agree or not. If the executive does not respond in that time, the attorney won’t be removed.
The county attorney is appointed by the executive and serves as a legal advisor to the executive, council and county departments and agencies. This is a different position than the state’s attorney for Montgomery County.
A statewide question on the ballot concerns changing the names of Maryland’s appellate courts from the Court of Appeals to the Supreme Court of Maryland and from the Court of Special Appeals to the Appellate Court of Maryland.
If this change is approved, judges serving in those courts will be considered justices of the Supreme Court of Maryland.
Another statewide question concerns eligibility requirements to be a state senator and delegate. If approved, the legislators must have a primary place of residence in the district they represent.
Now, legislators only have to reside in their district for at least six months preceding the election.
Another question involves civil jury trials in Maryland. If approved, the General Assembly may enact legislation limiting the right to a jury trial in civil proceedings to cases involving more than $25,000. The current amount is $15,000.
The League of Women Voters of Montgomery County has produced a guide with more information on these ballot questions and the candidates running for office.
MARYLAND: Make sure you review the ballot referendum questions. You will need to research before you vote. These are serious matters and all amend our state constitution. 💙💙💙🗳
— Nikki4BidenHarris 🗳️💙 (@LMC4Democracy) October 7, 2022
