Local measure · Baltimore County
Baltimore County Question ACharter Amendment – Farmland Preservation (Urban-Rural Demarcation Line Vote)
What your vote means
YES
A YES vote requires 6 of the 9 County Council members, not 5, to approve any change to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line.
NO
A NO vote keeps the rule that a simple majority of 5 council members can approve changes to the line.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- The Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) separates the county's urban area from its rural area. Created in 1967, it limits development in the rural zone, which covers about two-thirds of the county and about 10% of residents. source: thebanner.com
- Other planning and zoning decisions would still need only a simple majority. source: elections.maryland.gov
- The County Council voted 5-2 in April 2025 to send the question to voters; Councilmen Julian Jones and Pat Young voted no. source: thebanner.com
- The bill as first introduced would have also let the council member for the affected district block a change; that part was removed by amendment and is not on the ballot. source: wypr.org
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- Bill 19-25, the Farmland Preservation Act, was introduced March 3, 2025 by Councilmembers Marks, Kach, Ertel, Patoka and Crandell. source: mgaleg.maryland.gov
- Councilman David Marks (R) was lead sponsor. The charter change goes to voters Nov. 3, 2026. source: wypr.org
Why supporters want it
- Council Chair Mike Ertel (D): 'It is about our water supply'; the aim is 'to make it just a little bit harder' to move the line. source: thebanner.com
- Councilman David Marks (R), lead sponsor, hopes the issue will be debated publicly before the vote. source: wypr.org
- Dozens of residents, including farmers, environmentalists, planners and community leaders, testified in favor at the council. source: thebanner.com
Why opponents object
- Councilman Julian Jones (D) argued the line was working and the county should 'let sleeping dogs lie.' He also said 'where the people are, they generate the taxes.' source: thebanner.com
- David Plymyer, a retired Anne Arundel County Attorney, wrote in a Baltimore Brew op-ed that the bill would lock the line into the charter and the council had not studied its effects. His op-ed targeted the earlier version with the district veto. source: baltimorebrew.com
- Sharonda Huffman, a 2026 council candidate, urged planners to study the line in light of the housing shortage. source: thebanner.com
Who backs each side
No public record found of a campaign committee or campaign money for either side.
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
Word for word from the State Board of Elections' official Baltimore ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment Baltimore County Farmland Preservation
Act (URDL) (Bill 19-25) Currently, the Planning Board changes the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL), which separates urban areas from rural areas in Baltimore County, largely in response to zoning changes or water/sewer designation changes enacted by the County Council. The Baltimore County Charter requires a simple majority of the County Council to approve changes by the Planning Board to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL). This amendment to the Baltimore County Charter would require a vote of six (6) of the nine (9) members of the County Council rather than a simple majority of five (5) votes to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) recommended by the Planning Board. All other planning and zoning matters would continue to be approved by a simple majority vote of the County Council. This would amend Section 522.1 of the Baltimore County Charter and add Section 1015 to the Baltimore County Charter. A vote FOR the amendment requires six (6) of the nine (9) members of the County Council to approve changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL). A vote AGAINST the amendment keeps the current simple majority vote of five (5) members of the County Council on changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL).
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Latest news
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