by Benn Ray
Early voting starts on October 25.
Election day is Tuesday, November 6.
I've been waiting to get my sample ballot in the mail before putting together this quick voters guide, and it just came on October 23. But I wanted to get this out before early voting, so here goes.
Caveat 1 - I can't ever see myself recommend a Republican candidate. This is not through any loyalty to the Democratic Party, it's simply because I can't imagine the party of Trump, the party of George W. Bush, the party of Richard Nixon, the party of Putin ever offering anything beneficial to Americans. So if you're one of those voters who feels like they need to vote for a Republican every now and then to not feel so partisan - you either need to get over it (it's not helping) or pick a 3rd party candidate.
Caveat 2 - I am a Never Conaway voter. The Conaways are a franchise political family in Baltimore City. The stories about them are many. My gripe comes from the time when Belinda Conaway was my city council representative and put into motion legislation that was designed to pave the way for a (now failed) large Wal-mart development in our neighborhood.
Okay. with those biases in mind, let's get on with the show.
Governor/Lt. Governor
Recommended: Ben Jealous/Susan Turnbull (D)
I really don't understand how a state that is so dominantly Democratic has such a thin gubernatorial bench. Jealous has run a lackluster campaign. But if you love Baltimore, you hate Hogan. He has hurt the city time and time again. And in a second term, Hogan has no need to act moderate. I suspect none of us really want to see his true face. Vote Jealous. Bring a friend. He needs all the help he can get.
COMPTROLLER
Recommended: Peter Franchot (D)
Hold your nose and do it. We don't want a Republican Governor AND a Republican Comptroller.
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Recommended: Brian E. Frosh (D)
Don't see any reason to vote Frosh out and replace him with a Republican.
U.S. SENATOR
Recommended: Ben Cardin (D)
Do we need more Republicans in the Senate? Fuck no. Ben's a decent Senator with a solid first name.
REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS
Recommended: Elijah Cummings (D)
Come on. Is there really any other way to vote? No. The answer is, "no, there is no other way to vote."
STATE SENATOR (DISTRICT 43)
Recommended: Mary Washington (D)
Running unopposed.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES (DISTRICT 43) - Vote for 3
Recommended: Maggie McIntosh (D)
Maggie definitely should be one of the 3 you vote for. She's beloved.
Recommended: Regina T. Boyce (D)
Recommended her in my primary guide.
Recommended: Bonnie "Raven" Lane (G)
While the "Raven" middle name thing might be off-putting, we pick 3 and Anderson is under an ethics investigation for sexual harassment allegations.
JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT (Vote for 5)
There are only 5 judges running.
JUDGE, COURT OF SPECIAL APPEALS AT LARGE (Voting for continuance)
Recommended: Donald E. Beachley - Yes
Recommended: Mathew J. Fader - Yes
Sure.
STATE'S ATTORNEY
Recommended: Marilyn J. Mosby (D)
Running unopposed.
CLERK FOR THE CIRCUIT COURT
Recommended: I don't like skipping votes, but I have to skip this one as a Never Conaway voter.
Belinda Conaway is running unopposed.
JUDGE OF THE ORPHANS COURT (Vote for 3)
There are only 3 judges running.
SHERIFF
Recommended: John W. Anderson (D)
The only other candidate is a Republican, so Anderson it is.
QUESTION 1: Constitutional amendment requiring commercial gaming revenues that are for public education to supplement spending for education in public schools
Recommended: Vote YES
So... casinos were supposed to be a huge benefit to education funding as a significant portion of gambling tax revenues had to go toward school coffers. Funny thing though, the regular budgets for schools got cut - essentially keeping education funding levels flat. This amendment is designed to close that loophole so that the gambling revenues will provide ADDITIONAL funding to education, not just regular funding.
QUESTION 2: Constitutional amendment allowing same-day registration and voting at the precinct polling place on election day
Recommended: Vote YES
This will allow for same day voter registration on general election day. Voting is a right. The more people voting, the better. And the easier we can make it for people to vote, the better the results will be. Only hardcore Republicans oppose this because they don't actually believe everyone should be allowed to vote. Vote yes here.
QUESTION A BOND ISSUE: Affordable Housing Loan
Recommended: Vote YES
A "yes" vote for this bond issue allows the city to borrow $10 million over 2 years to create more affordable housing. Frankly, that amount seems low, and I'm skeptical it will help much - but the more affordable housing the city has, the better.
QUESTION B BOND ISSUE: School Loan
Recommended: Vote YES
A "yes" vote here enables the city to borrow $38 million over 2 years to upgrade our city schools with HVAC, fire alarms, etc.
QUESTION C BOND ISSUE: Community And Economic Development Loan
Recommended: Vote YES (reluctantly)
This will let the city borrow $47 million over 2 years to reinvest in, revitalize and stabilize city neighborhoods, and that sounds great. I'm all for it. But the devil is in the details here - what neighborhoods are seeing the money? How is the money being used? Is it going to be used for gentrification? Will it be used to fund another Kevin Plank vanity project? Will it go to help develop another high-end food court by a non-profit (so that we don't get a decent tax return on investment)? This one is tough. I am very skeptical. But we have marginal neighborhoods that need help, so I'll hold my nose and pray for the best.
QUESTION D BOND ISSUE: Recreation And Parks And Public Facilities
Recommended: Vote YES
This lets the city borrow $65 million over 2 years to reinvest in the public commons - OUR recreation facilities and parks. This is money directly spent on all of us to enjoy. An easy yes.
QUESTION E CHARTER AMENDMENT: Inalienability of the Sewer and Water Systems
Recommended: Vote YES YES YES
Okay, so this amendment was worded so shittily, I started emailing city officials to find out what the fuck the deal was. And the deal is quite genius. Fearing the privatizing of our city water and sewer systems, the city council decided to introduce a charter amendment that would just outright prohibit it. Voting YES to this means you are voting against private corporations owning our water and sewer systems. Just imagine if BGE, Comcast or Verizon was in charge of our water supply and our waste management. If you are thinking stupidly expensive, poor service and no other options - you're thinking right. Keep water and sewer owned by the public. If you are one of those people who expect to get free glasses of water wherever you go - a no vote here is a vote against your free water.
QUESTION F CHARTER AMENDMENT: Office Of The Inspector General
Recommended: Vote YES
This creates an independent city watchdog. I think most people are in favor of that.
QUESTION G CHARTER AMENDMENT: Department Of Legislative Reference
Recommended: Vote YES
While I'm concerned this may give the Mayor more power, what it basically sounds like to me is setting up a proper process that seems balanced for filling a city office vacancy.
QUESTION H CHARTER AMENDMENT: Fair Election Fund
Recommended: Vote YES
This provides public funding for people running for city offices. This is a step in getting private and dark money out of local elections.
QUESTION I CHARTER AMENDMENT: Equity Assistance Fund
Recommended: Vote YES
This provides funds to help reduce inequality based on race, gender and economics. How? I dunno. It's vague.
Okay that's it.
Feel free to use or ignore based on your own inclinations.
Remember to vote and have some fun.
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