Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writers
Election Day has passed but in its wake are dozens of ballot issues approved by voters across Maryland, including one to allow gambling dollars to fund public education and another to allow registration of voters on election day.
The gambling revenue issue received 87.7 percent “Yes” votes and only 12 percent “No.” votes. More than 1.7 million people voted in favor of the idea.
“Educators are thrilled that such an overwhelming number of Marylanders voted for increased funding for our public schools,” said Cheryl Bost, a Baltimore County elementary school teacher who heads the Maryland State Education Association. “The $500 million annually that Question 1 will add is the first step to closing the $2.9 billion annual funding gap that negatively impacts students, educators, and schools across the state.”
Bost added, “Keeping the promise on casino revenues was the easy part. To meet the commitments our students and schools deserve will take the continued support and activism of Marylanders to make sure that the governor and legislature permanently closes this gap when the General Assembly convenes in January.”
Those opposed to the amendment argue that Maryland’s flexibility to use gambling revenues for other state programs may be limited. In addition, some complain that the amendment eliminates the option to fund capital projects at community and public colleges.
“I believe that the gambling money being put in schools could have been used in a more positive way because in my opinion gambling isn’t very positive,” said Michele Wallace, a Coastal Carolina University graduate.
Same-day voter registration won support but by fewer voters. Sixty-seven percent voted in favor, but 33 percent voted against it. The approved ballot issue will allow residents to register to vote on Election Day and then immediately cast a ballot.
The voters for this amendment argue that voting is a fundamental right that should not be lost because of registration requirements. Already in Maryland, residents can register and vote on the same day during early voting. Opponents argued against this amendment because they said that same day registration could lead to voter fraud.
“After America voted a man into office who openly admitted to grabbing women by their genitalia, I was determined to grab them by the ballots this year and vote!” said Vicky Omekam, a human resource associate for SPARK Business Academy.
“Allowing citizens the opportunity to register to vote the same day as Election Day is so important and I support states that allow it. Not everyone is aware of certain deadlines and no one should be deprived their right to vote just because they didn’t meet a certain deadline.”
In other key ballot issues in Baltimore City and Baltimore County, the results were:
❏ Baltimore City
❏ Question E – Charter Amendment that prohibits the city from privatizing the water system: 76.7 percent ‘For’ and 23.3 percent ‘Against’
❏ Question F – Charter Amendment that creates an independent Office of the Inspector General: 79 percent ‘For’ and 21 percent ‘Against’
❏ Question H – Charter Amendment to create the Fair Election Fund, a structure of voluntary public campaign funding for city elections: 75.4 percent ‘For’ and 24.6 percent ‘Against’
❏ Question I – Charter Amendment to reduce inequity based on race, gender or economic status through the use of an Equity Assistance Fund: 79.7 percent ‘For’ and 20.3 percent ‘Against’
❏ Baltimore County
❏ Question A – Technical Changes to gender neutral: 76.25 percent ‘For’ and 23.75 percent ‘Against’
❏ Question C – Legislative Procedure that allows consideration of bills for 60 days: 74.47 percent ‘For’ and 25.53 percent ‘Against’
❏ Question D – The Executive Branch – re-elected executives must seek council confirmation: 73.10 percent ‘For’ and 26.90 percent ‘Against’
❏ Question E – Exempt Service Employees – control over pay and benefits of county officials: 70.34 percent ‘For’ and 29.66 percent ‘Against’
❏ Question F – Administrative Services- Department of Public Works responsible for transportation issues: 85.64 percent ‘For’ and 14.36 percent ‘Against’