Ballot Items in Maryland
Source: Stateline.org
Circuit court in banc decisions (Question 2)
This measure would amend the Maryland Constitution to allow appeals to the mid-level appellate court, the Court of Special Appeals, when a circuit court in banc review -- consisting of three judges -- decides against a case. Currently, such appeals are governed by the circuit court system. Text of Ballot Item
Civil jury trials (Question 3)
This measure would amend the Maryland Constitution to authorize legislation raising the limits on the right to trial by jury in civil proceedings to cases involving damages exceeding $10,000; currently the limit is $5,000. Text of Ballot Item
Disposition of park lands (Question 1)
This measure would amend the Maryland Constitution to prohibit the Board of Public Works, which consists of the governor, the treasurer and the comptroller, from selling any park land without the approval of the General Assembly. It was put on the ballot by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly after Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich’s administration attempted to sell unappraised state land to a politically connected individual. Text of Ballot Item
Election law revisions (Question 4)
This voter-initiated referendum would allow the repeal of certain provisions of an election law enacted by the Democratic-controlled General Assembly over Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich’s veto. In August, the state Supreme Court threw out a part of the new law that would have permitted polls in certain precincts to be open for five days before primary and general elections. Voters will say yea or nay to a block of remaining provisions, including establishing polling places closer to college or university campuses; studying Election Day voter registration; equipping all polling places with a computerized list of registered voters; and giving the State Board of Elections greater authority over local boards of elections in certain voter-registration and absentee-balloting programs. Text of Ballot Item
