By Adam Pagnucco.
The Montgomery County Board of Elections has certified that a proposed charter amendment to reduce term limits for the county executive from three to two has attracted enough signatures from voters to appear on the general election ballot this November. The county council approved ballot language for the amendment yesterday pending certification by the board. The council has not approved any competing charter amendments which might have clouded the issue for voters.
The effect of this charter amendment, if passed, would be to remove current County Executive Marc Elrich from office and kick off a fierce competition to succeed him.
Following are the documents sent by the board to Reardon “Sully” Sullivan, who led the petition drive.
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July 24, 2024
Notice of Determination regarding Petition submitted by the Committee for Better Government
Dear Mr. Sullivan:
I am writing pursuant to Maryland Code, Election Law Article, § 6-206 to provide the Montgomery County Board of Elections’ determination concerning the Petition submitted by the Committee for Better Government (hereinafter referred to as “the Committee”). The Petition seeks to amend the Montgomery County, Maryland Charter to bar any County Executive from serving more than two (2) full or partial consecutive terms of office.
On June 21, 2024, the Committee submitted 12,130 signatures which were verified pursuant to Maryland Code, Election Law Article, § 6-207. Of the 12,130 submitted, the Montgomery County Board of Elections’ staff determined that 9,374 met the legal requirements.
On July 12, 2024, the Committee submitted a second submission of Petition signatures. The second submission included 8,759 signatures. The Board of Elections’ staff verified the signatures and determined that 6,582 met the requirements under Maryland law. In total, the Board of Elections has determined that the Committee submitted a total of 15,956 signatures that meet the requirements of Maryland law.
In order for a Charter Amendment to appear on the General Election ballot, the Petition Sponsor must submit a minimum of 10,000 valid signatures. Md. Const., Art. XI-A, § 5. 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.
A person aggrieved by this determination may seek judicial review in the Circuit Court for Montgomery County pursuant to Maryland Code, Election Law Article, § 6-209. A Petition for Judicial Review must be filed by the tenth (10th) day following this determination.
Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
MONTGOMERY COUNTY BOARD OF ELECTIONS
By: Boris Brajkovic
Election Director
