“I voted” stickers are lined up and ready for voters on Election Day 2020. Cecil County voters this year have full list of candidate and questions on the ballot. Photo by Montinique Monroe/Getty Images
Cecil County shifted to a charter government in 2012 and voters are now considering the first batch of recommended changes to the county’s structure by a charter review commission.
The charter review commission, which met and considered changes for nearly a year, made multiple recommendations to change county government, though several were not considered by the county council, which must pass a resolution to place questions on the ballot.
Among the issues not taken up by the council were recommendations to expand its membership, establish term limits and require that council members be elected by district.
The changes before voters are more incremental.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the ballot questions in Cecil County this year:
Question A
If approved, this question would increase compensation for council members to $35,000 from $25,000.
The question was approved by the council in July by a 4-1 vote.
Councilwoman Donna Culberson opposed the question because council members are allowed to also hold full-time jobs, and she considers serving on the council to be a civic duty.
Council Vice President Bob Meffley said the increased compensation might encourage others to pursue public office.
Question B
This question would clarify the political party appointment process for any vacancies on the council.
It specifies that the replacement should be from same political party of the member at the time of their initial election to the council. It would apply in the event a council member changed affiliation during their term.
The council supported the question 4-1.
Question C
If approved, this will set a three-term limit for the county executive.
The Charter Review Commission recommended a shorter, two-term limit.
The council approved the three-term limit 3-2.
Under the amendment, an appointed county executive who serves less than two years of the term would be considered not to have served a full term.
Question D
If approved, this measure would increase the county executive’s pay from $98,000 to $130,000.
The question was approved by council 5-0.
Question E
This measure would mirror language of the county council vacancy question to specify that if a county executive leaves office, nominations for a replacement will be made by the political party the executive belonged to when initially elected.
The question was approved by the council 4-1.
The potential need for the amendment has presented itself during the county’s short history under charter government.
Former Cecil County Executive Tari Moore, who served from 2012 to 2016, changed her party affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated for about one year of her term, before reaffiliating with the GOP in 2013.
Question F
If approved, the council would be required to act on appointments by the county executive within 30 days; if the council fails to act, the appointment would become effective.
Question G
This measure expands transparency for county contracts over $100,000 and all real estate transactions. It would require the administration to review the contracts at an open council meeting and provide a description of the item or service purchased, the price, vendor, source of funding and number of competitive bids received.
How to vote
Marylanders can register to vote during early voting and on Election Day.
If you want to find out where you can vote early, between Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, click here.
To find out where to drop off a mail ballot at a dropbox, click here. Ballot boxes are open through 8 p.m. on Nov. 5, Election Day.
Want to see a sample ballot for your county? The State Board of Elections has a list of every approved ballot for the November election on its website.