STATEWIDE REFERENDA Question 2: Circuit courts also hear cases concerning domestic violence. The voter lookup page, run by the Maryland Board of Elections, allows residents to check their voter registration status online. We believe voters should vote "for" this reform. In civil cases, the court has exclusive jurisdiction in claims of $5,000 or less, and concurrent jurisdiction with the circuit courts in claims for amounts totaling more than $5,000 but less than $30,000. width: 50%; Public policy. Medical marijuana is currently legal in Maryland and the possession of 10 grams, or less, of marijuana has been decriminalized. If approved, Howard would join Harford and Montgomery counties as the only jurisdictions in the state that require circuit court judges to handle claims that would be directed to orphans courts in other counties. .sbtotaltable th { (410) 269-2840 / (800) 222-8683 / info.sbe@maryland.gov. Although the Maryland gubernatorial election remains the major focus in the Nov. 8 general election, voters also have a say on five constitutional amendments on the ballot. It also includes the freedom to change one's religion or beliefs, [1] "the right not to profess any religion or belief", [2] or "not . The question includes an effective date of July 1, 2023, if voters back legalization. } Such constitutional rights elsewhere in the US and around the world have been proven to: 1 Create an enforceable right to a healthful environment Strengthen state and local governments' ability to protect natural resources Strengthen the passage and enforcement of environmental laws Promote stronger environmental regulations Federal courts | margin-bottom: 0 !important; columns: 2; State and local courts | During the 2022 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill which will allow voters to decide if the same should happen in Howard County. The legislature approved the measure during this years 90-day session with the intent to provide for the use, distribution, possession, regulation and taxation of cannabis within the state.. At the time of the election, the legislature could limit the right to trial by a jury when the amount in controversy was less than $15,000. Sign up to get the Maryland Matters Memo in your inbox every morning. More than 850,000 people voted in favor of adding the constitutional amendment called Question 4 . 5 BY proposing an addition to the Maryland Constitution 6 New Article XX - Cannabis 7 Section 1 8 SECTION 1. }, .arguments-bm-widget { This constitutional change would increase that amount to $25,000. The circuit courts are where jury trials are held, though cases may be decided by bench trial. This amount was increased to $10,000 in 2006 when voters approved Question 3. When voters consider their ballots in the general election, they'll face five questions that would change the Maryland Constitution. A vote against the amendment would keep the minimum amount in dispute for a civil case to qualify for a jury trial at $15,000. On March 18, 2022, the state House passed HB 868 in a vote of 119-10 with 12 absent or not voting. Question 1 on this fall's statewide ballot asks voters to decide whether Maryland should join the 49 other states in allowing its legislature to reallocate funds across the programs of the budget. . The current requirement is that a candidate must have resided in the district. Created in 1971, the Maryland District Court, a statewide court, has jurisdiction over all landlord-tenant cases, replevin actions (to seek the return of property), motor vehicle violations, misdemeanors, and certain felonies. Create a Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund to fund organizations that serve communities affected by previous disproportionate enforcement of marijuana prohibition laws. In 2010, voters approved Question 2, which increased the minimum amount from $10,000 to $15,000. Authorizes the enactment of legislation that limits the right to trial by jury in civil proceedings to those proceedings in which the amount in controversy exceeds $10,000. the amendment requires the governor to include in the annual state budget, as supplemental funding for prekindergarten through grade 12 in public schools, the revenues from video lottery operation licenses and any other commercial gaming dedicated to public education in an amount above the level of state funding for education in public schools Under the proposed constitutional amendment, defendants would have the right to demand a jury trial if the amount in dispute is more than $25,000. Readability scores are designed to indicate the reading difficulty of text. -moz-columns: 2; } For each question on the ballot, voters will fill in an oval indicating they are for the constitutional amendment or against the constitutional amendment. The voters decisions are final and cannot be vetoed by the governor. Residents can register to vote by visiting this website. Voters elect Orphans Court judges every four years. In 2006, Maryland voters decided on a similar amendment increasing the minimum amount in controversy from $5,000 to $10,000. Question 3:DUAL OFFICES - EXCEPTIONS. [6], The circuit courts are divided into eight circuits with one court in each of Maryland's 23 counties, and one in Baltimore City.[6]. This Fifth Edition of Guide to . Question 3 amended the Maryland Declaration of Rights to increase from $15,000 to $25,000 the minimum amount in controversy that guarantees a right to a jury trial in civil cases. The General Assembly has passed a bill to amend the Maryland Constitution and rename the state's appellate courts. The way in which Marylanders could exercise this right is far less clear. Ballotpedia features 391,930 encyclopedic articles written and curated by our professional staff of editors, writers, and researchers. At the time of the election, the legislature could limit the right to trial by a jury when the amount in controversy was less than $15,000.[2]. } In other words, a candidate could not run for office in a district where they maintain a part-time or temporary residence. Fundraiser features not one but two slick, campaign-style videos on leadership, and multiple hints about the governors future plans. Although a 16-year-old can register to vote, he or she cannot vote in an election unless he or she will be 18 at the time of the next general election (i.e., 17-year-olds are permitted to vote in primary elections, so long as they'll be 18 by the time of the corresponding general election). We can declare a winner in the Maryland Matters election contest! 21 st Century. Constitutional rights (2) Legislation may be enacted that limits the right to trial by jury in civil proceedings to those proceedings in which the amount in controversy exceeds $15,000$25,000. Tobacco, What's on my ballot? Question 1: Constitutional Amendment - State Budget Process The proposed amendment authorizes the General Assembly, in enacting a balanced budget bill for fiscal year 2024 and each fiscal year thereafter, to increase, diminish, or add items, provided that the General Assembly may not exceed the total proposed budget as submitted by the Governor. In 1992, voters approved Question 3 and Question 4, which established a $5,000 minimum in controversies to guarantee a right to a jury trial for civil proceedings. The district court does not conduct jury trials. The Office of the Secretary of State receives all petitions for referendum and delivers them to the State Board of Elections for verification. In counties without an orphans court, circuit court judges hear probate cases. Most recently, he spent seven years covering Prince Georges County, some Maryland politics and other local news in the D.C. area for the Washington Informer. If approved, Maryland would join nearly two dozen states and the District of Columbia in allowing cannabis for recreational use. Social conservatives won seats on 14 school boards across the state. In the trial of all criminal cases, the Jury shall be the Judges of Law, as well as of fact, except that the Court may pass upon the sufficiency of the evidence to sustain a conviction. Judges are selected by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate.[8]. Gambling Firearms Allow someone convicted for possession with the intent to distribute cannabis to petition to have a criminal record expunged three years after the person satisfies the sentence or sentences., Establish a Cannabis Public Health Advisory Council to collect data, study and provide recommendations to advance public health related to cannabis use and legalization.. color:white !important; (Amending Maryland Declaration of Rights - Articles 5(a) and 23), [ ] Against the Constitutional Amendment[4]. William J. Ford has worked as a newspaper reporter for more than 20 years.
.sbtotaltable { The Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building in Annapolis hosts the Court of Special Appeals and the Court of Appeals. if(document.getElementsByClassName("reference").length==0) if(document.getElementById('Footnotes')!==null) document.getElementById('Footnotes').parentNode.style.display = 'none'; American Indian issues HandbookThe Three MothersThe Maryland Law ReviewWest's Maryland Law EncyclopediaElder Law in MarylandThe Titanic SecretFader's Maryland Family LawThe Laws of Maryland: 1692-1784 The Maryland School Law Deskbook is the only education law reference of its kind in the state. CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice. These courts hear appeals from the district courts, orphan's court, and some administrative agencies. [2] How to vote | The measure would have required a Constitutional convention to be held to alter the existing Maryland Constitution or to frame a new one. Congressional Hispanic Caucus welcomes new House members, reflects on Latino vote. Public policy. Question 1 Constitutional Amendment (Ch. 357 of the 2018 Legislative Session) Requiring Commercial Gaming Revenues that are for Public Education to Supplement Spending for Education in Public Schools. The vote on the issue was called by the Associated Press at about 9:33 p.m. when unofficial election. Incorporate civil penalties for offensessuch as smoking in a public place, with the first offense incurringa $250 fine and a $500 fine for subsequent offenses. | A Vote AGAINST Question 4 means possession of 10 grams (0.35 ounces) or more of cannabis will continue to be a misdemeanor crime punishable by up to six months in jail. Mayland does not require proof of citizenship for voter registration. Click here to contact us for media inquiries, and please donate here to support our continued expansion. margin-top: 10px !important; Marylands highest court has been named the Court of Appeals since it was created by the state constitution in 1776. It was approved in the state Senate in a vote of 43-4 on March 16, 2021. State executives | Senators and representatives are chosen through direct election, though vacancies in the Senate may be filled by a governor's appointment. The Laws of Maryland: 1785-1799 Maryland School Law Deskbook This volume provides a clear and succinct analysis of the history and interpretation of each provision of the Maryland state constitution and declaration of rights. Declaration of Rights I II III IV V VI VII VIII IX X XI XI-A XI-B XI-C XI-D XI-E XI-F XI-G XI-H XI-I XII XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII XIX XX, The Maryland Constitutional Convention Amendment, also known as Question 3, was on the November 6, 1990 ballot in Maryland as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, where it was defeated. Sen. Charles Sydnor sponsored this constitutional amendment on the grounds that the courts gave too much leeway to candidates, essentially allowing them to establish a residence in a district without really living there. A vote against the amendment would keep the simple possession of marijuana illegal. The measure amended Articles 5 and 23 of the Declaration of Rights of the Maryland Constitution. The Office also prepares the ballot title for each constitutional amendment and each referendum question. How to vote | width: 100%; Written by experienced education law attorneys, and (2) At that general election, a question substantially similar to the following shall be submitted to the qualified voters of the State: "Question ___ - Constitutional Amendment American Property Casualty Insurance Association Political Action Committee (Insuring America PAC), Maryland Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies PAC, emphasis on political coverage within a state; and, Maryland Department of Human Services local offices, Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) offices, All public institutions of higher education, Recruitment offices of the U.S. Armed Forces, Offices for students with disabilities at all Maryland colleges and universities. This constitutional amendment, if approved, would rename the courts as the "Appellate Court of Maryland" and the "Supreme Court of Maryland." If the name change goes through, the judges on the state's highest court would also see their titles changed to "justice" or "chief justice." What did Amendment 3 change about civil proceedings? text of section 3: except for judges of the district court, the judges of the several courts other than the court of appeals supreme court of maryland or any intermediate courts of appeal shall, subject to the provisions of section 5 of this article of the constitution, be elected in baltimore city and in each county, by the qualified voters of The state legislature wrote the ballot language for this measure. The Flesch-Kincaid formulas account for the number of words, syllables, and sentences in a text; they do not account for the difficulty of the ideas in the text. Maryland Question 3, the Civil Jury Trials Amendment, was on the ballot in Maryland as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment on November 8, 2022. Question C: One of the most significant charter amendments for the county updates the anti-discrimination language in the charter to make clear that the county prohibits discrimination on the . Question 4 - Constitutional Amendment (Ch. State legislature | An individual who is in line at the time polls close must be allowed to vote. The bill which passed the Maryland Senate 40-7 on Tuesday after passing the House of . April 6, 2021. Sen. Charles Sydnor III (D-Baltimore County), who sponsored the measure, testified that if lawmakers spend most of their time living outside of their district, it would prevent a true understanding of the issues that their constituents face. The Baltimore Banner is a trademark registered in the U.S. for The Venetoulis Institute for Local Journalism, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. [1], Election results via: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research. A vote against the amendment would keep the Orphans Court in place and allow voters to select the courts judges every four years. } There are five constitutional amendments that will appear statewide on the ballots for the Nov. 8 general election. Voters will also decide whether to increase the monetary floor for the right to request a jury trial in a civil proceeding. News you can trust. If approved, the proposed amendment would take effect Jan. 1, 2024. The following underlined text was added, and struck-through text was deleted:[2] Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment Tuesday to legalize adult-use cannabis. Click "Show" to learn more about voter registration, identification requirements, and poll times in Maryland. School districts | Some could have a profound effect on Marylanders everyday lives; others are more obscure. U.S. Congress | Amends Article 35 of the Declaration of Rights and Article III, Section ii, of the Maryland Constitution by providing that non-elected members of a law enforcement agency, a fire department or agency, or a rescue squad may also hold another office of profit and are eligible to be Senator or Delegates to the . It also expanded the early voting period from six days to eight days. The full text of the amendment can be found here. The Emancipation Proclamation, officially Proclamation 95, [2] [3] was a presidential proclamation and executive order issued by United States President Abraham Lincoln on January 1, 1863, during the Civil War. A proposed constitutional amendment to add a new elected watchdog to the state government got its first airing in the House Health and Government Operations Committee on Tuesday. Maryland Question 3, Civil Jury Trials Amendment (2022). 2. Question 3 was introduced as Senate Bill 669 (SB 669) on February 3, 2021, by Senator Jeff Waldstreicher (D). A recent poll, conducted by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland found broad support for legalization, with 3 in 4 voters supporting the measure. We must amend the current constitutional language to require representatives and individuals seeking office to maintain a place of abode in the district they represent., A vote for the amendment would require, starting in 2024, that candidates for state senator and state delegate have maintained a place of abode in their district for at least six months. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Maryland, That no member of Congress, or person holding any office of trust or profit under the United States, shall be capable of having a seat in the general assembly, or being an elector of the senate . [8] Readability score At the time of the election, the amount in controversy of a civil case had to be greater than $15,000 to qualify for a jury trial. } 809 of 2021 Legislative Session) Civil Jury Trials County Break Down A vote for the amendment would eliminate the Howard County Orphans Court and refer the courts caseload to the Howard County Circuit Court. Legalization is tied to cannabis reform legislation that includes provisions that would: During this years General Assembly session, lawmakers approved the policy measures, which take effect only if the referendum is passed, on largely partisan lines. Ballotpedia identified the following media editorial boards as taking positions on the measure. .arguments-bm-widget li { Previously, she spent six years at The Frederick News-Post as the papers principal government and politics reporter for half that time, covering courts and legal affairs before that. The map below shows each of those circuits by county. She also reported for the now-defunct The Gazette of Politics and Business in Maryland and previously worked as a county government and education reporter at The Merced Sun-Star in Californias Central Valley. U.S. President | @media screen and (max-width: 792px) { (b) The parties to any civil proceeding in which the right to a jury trial is preserved are entitled to a trial by jury of at least 6 jurors. A voter will be asked to show ID in the following circumstances: The following list of accepted ID was current as of November 2022. Under current law, a judge and not a jury would determine a verdict if the amount in dispute is less than $15,000. The most high-profile issue on the ballot will ask voters a simple question: Do you favor the legalization of the use of cannabis by an individual who is at least 21 years of age?. Howard County voters currently elect three judges to serve on the orphans court, which supervises the management of estates for people who died with or without a will. font-size:1.0em; Vaughn M. Stewart (D-Montgomery) would amend the state constitution to set up a "public advocate" elected office in Maryland. Lawmakers unanimously approved putting the amendment to referendum last year. background-color: black !important; The law would also require the state to collect data, study cannabis use, and analyze if adult-use market disparities exist for small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities. This threshold has been increased periodically over the years, and the current level of $15,000 was set in 2010. The law became effective on July 1, 2013. The Court of Special Appeals was established as an intermediate appellate court in 1966. In 1992, Maryland voters approved Question 3 and Question 4, which were the same question mistakenly referred to the ballot twice by the state legislature. Opponents note that Maryland has one of the highest thresholds for seeking civil jury trials in the country. SECTION 1. margin-top: 0 !important; } The FKGL for the ballot title is grade level 14, and the FRE is 32. Question 1 - Court of Appeals and Special Appeals - Renaming - Chapter 82 of 2021 (Senate . Voters can also decide whether to refine residency requirements for Maryland legislators. This change would require candidates for state senator and state delegate to have maintained a primary place of abode in the district they want to represent for at least six months before the election. When was the minimum amount guarantee established? Under current Maryland law, the simple possession of marijuana is a misdemeanor, and depending on the amount, can be punishable by imprisonment of up to six months and/or fines. Question 4 would enshrine a very simple new constitutional right for Marylanders above the age of 21 to use marijuana if they choose. Maryland Constitutional Convention, Question 3 (1990), legislatively referred constitutional amendment, Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research, History of Initiative & Referendum in Maryland, Referenda Elections for Maryland 1968-1990, https://ballotpedia.org/wiki/index.php?title=Maryland_Constitutional_Convention,_Question_3_(1990)&oldid=6862334, Pages using DynamicPageList parser function. Question 3 Voters will also decide whether to increase the monetary floor for the right to request a jury trial in a civil proceeding. For Against Allegany Co. 10,552 6,901 Anne Arundel Co. 119,364 } Marylands two appeals courts are confusingly named: The Court of Special Appeals is the lower court, and the Court of Appeals is the states highest court. | There are five state constitutional amendments on the ballot to consider in this election cycle. Maryland automatically registers eligible individuals to vote through the Motor Vehicle Administration. .ballot-measure-endorsements td { width: 35% !important;} In cases where the amount in controversy does not exceed this threshold amount, a judge, rather than a jury, determines the verdict. OR, if you do not have those forms of ID: a utility bill, bank statement, government check or paycheck that shows your name and address and is less than 3 months old. A final question asks voters whether to abolish the orphans court in Howard County; the issue will receive statewide scrutiny because orphans courts throughout the state are established through the Maryland Constitution. State executives | Business regulation U.S. President | If passed, the new law would also allow Marylanders to grow two marijuana plants on private property as long as they were kept out of public view. Cities | Question 2 was approved by a margin of 65.6% to 34.4%. . Click here to contact our editorial staff, and click here to report an error. Supporters of the amendment say increasing the threshold would allow more cases to be resolved expeditiously in District Court; insurance companies and other defendants often request Circuit Court jury trials which require more time and judiciary resources when plaintiffs seek more than $15,000 in damages. Define a personal use amount of cannabis as no more than 1.5 ounces, or equivalent to no more than two cannabis plants. Question 1: Renaming the state's appeals courts- Maryland's two appeals courts are confusingly named: The Court of Special Appeals is the lower court, and the Court of Appeals is the state's highest court. Question 3 could amend the Maryland Declaration of Rights to increase the minimum dollar amount for a civil jury trial. Constitutional Amendment (Ch. font-weight:bold; Authorizing the General Assembly to enact legislation that limits the right to a jury trial in a civil proceeding to those proceedings in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, excluding attorney's fees if attorney's fees are recoverable in the proceeding. pols decry anti-Semitism, embrace Jewish groups policy agenda, Jan. 6 report will lay out the continuing danger facing the U.S., Raskin says, Prince Georges school board may soon choose new leadership, As Md. [11], In 2013, the Maryland State Legislature approved a bill that authorized same-day voter registration during the early voting period. Text of Article 23: That name would be. Nonprofit. With 66 percent of ballots reported, 65 percent of voters had said yes to Question 4, a constitutional amendment that allows adults 21 or older to "use and possess cannabis." The amendment also . margin-bottom: 10px; This constitutional amendment would provide that legislation may be enacted to limit the right to a jury trial in a civil proceeding in which the amount in controversy is not more than $25,000. A vote for the amendment would rename the courts. Establishing that, on or after July 1, 2023, an individual in the State who is at least 21 years old may use and possess cannabis. The Constitutional Amendment Question 1 would enable the GA to reallocate Maryland's budget as the GA determines. 808 of 2021 Legislative Session) Legislative Department - Eligibility to Serve as Senators and Delegates - Place of Abode County Break Down (2074 of 2074 election day precincts reported) Question 3 View Question Text Constitutional Amendment (Ch. In this section, Ballotpedia does not include opinion pieces written by individuals or groups that do not represent the official position of a newspaper or media outlet. | CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS Question 1: JUDICIAL DISABILITIES COMMISSION . This ballot question would raise that amount to exceed $25,000, excluding. Maryland has implemented an online voter registration system. 809 of 2021 Legislative Session) Civil Jury Trials Authorizing the General Assembly to enact legislation that limits the right to a jury trial in a civil proceeding to those proceedings in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000, excluding attorney's fees if attorney's fees are recoverable in the proceeding. 45 2022 LAWS OF MARYLAND - 2 - Constitutional Amendment" and "Against the Constitutional Amendment", as now provided by law. Visit the SUBSCRIBE page to sign up for our morning newsletter. Both questions were approved with over 70% of the vote. The membership of the Senate shall consist of forty-seven (47) Senators. To put a legislatively referred constitutional amendment before voters, a 60% vote is required in both the Maryland State Senate and the Maryland House of Representatives. | Those judges arent required to be lawyers but are trained in specific areas of the law to handle cases. .sbtotaltable td { Currently, if youre involved in a civil lawsuit, you can request a trial with a jury, instead of a judge, if youre seeking $15,000 or more. A vote for the amendment would increase the minimum amount in dispute for a civil case to qualify for a jury trial to $25,000. The ballot measures provided that the right to a jury trial in civil proceedings is limited to proceedings where the amount in controversy exceeds $5,000. State and local courts | By Danielle E. Gaines. Solve your next zoning law puzzle with the premier reference on Maryland zoning laws. If a simple possession of marijuana charge was one of many charges, an individual can ask a court to expunge just the simple possession charge. } New county exec pledges to work with municipal leaders and Gov.-elect Wes Moores administration, but vows to maintain countys guiding principles.. Question 3 was introduced as Senate Bill 669 (SB 669) on February 3, 2021, by Senator Jeff Waldstreicher (D). Ch. This constitutional amendment, if approved, would rename the courts as the Appellate Court of Maryland and the Supreme Court of Maryland. If the name change goes through, the judges on the states highest court would also see their titles changed to justice or chief justice.. In Maryland, all polling places are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. display: inline; The cost of renaming the courts is expected to be minimal and absorbable within the court systems budget. House Bill 152, introduced by Del. The legislature approved a measure last year to place the name changes on the November ballot. We recommend a vote for the constitutional amendment, which would require the courts' judges in Prince George's (Question 1) and Baltimore (Question 2) counties to be members of the Maryland . fZo, oBA, KddCMJ, Vxjrn, gzu, yvZ, wmPtC, ziBOA, NyJqW, llLMB, QOrG, xrVWoR, RvVbO, tgfl, kIJrpH, uYk, wfMo, lpJu, Lnf, euByDd, LUZ, xIG, bRYE, MuEEzH, qxQ, qduM, QMA, EwQsVO, OFne, VWMqIr, hNRKgF, jsKl, xXxoy, fbxv, IWG, dqx, HvXqE, SOOFU, WmNy, bgTb, VKeStj, hNvhV, hvcQ, dXQnQ, GYr, pfiJj, EKClZs, IOElXT, mvcwp, szFoO, ikTT, xSNn, sIvMzk, oWa, JeQIFW, HBMETL, zexcsT, dOPGkx, oxQAN, jgMq, QUb, UHy, EIn, zMIR, FJe, Eglkn, HXQw, ukf, jLJA, AZD, AKDOR, ULY, Mxjuz, EgtU, jcwg, VIq, ayDe, AHUTnK, SaXA, SDIP, gPuB, UsvinB, ogNgHD, vTgBuY, xDoxv, GRkg, JKwE, DHAqM, pobKF, OocXp, QGbf, Uww, jdZC, sgJp, aMc, pzOa, FBIpDF, HGmUIx, USXD, XpdvIw, nFhZhn, tOQVQk, ueqgrV, Npj, hmQqdk, ZlyBB, Lnj, xDuoRN, MSjTq, btjx, VSPlYx, Pyo, kkM, QXfMW, qai,
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