Dorchester County Question CCharter Amendment – County Manager Responsibilities
What your vote means
A YES vote changes the County Manager's duties: an Assistant County Manager would be appointed, the Manager would attend Council meetings, and the Council would have set steps for a Manager vacancy.
A NO vote keeps the County Manager's duties as written in the charter now.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- The amendment would let the Manager name interim department heads until the Council approves, and require the Manager to attend Council meetings except those on the Manager's own pay or future employment (Section 405, Res. 686). source: elections.maryland.gov
- It would have the Manager appoint an Assistant County Manager, subject to funding and Council approval, to serve as interim when the Manager is away or the job is vacant. source: elections.maryland.gov
- It says the Manager runs daily operations, and individual Council members could not give orders to staff. source: elections.maryland.gov
- If the Manager job is vacant, the Council would have six months to search and name an interim, and no Council member could serve as interim. source: elections.maryland.gov
- The Dorchester County Council held a public hearing on Resolution 686 on April 14, 2026. source: dorchestermd.gov
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- The Dorchester County Council placed Resolution 686 on the ballot as a charter amendment (Article 4, Section 405). The sponsor and reasons beyond the ballot text were not found. source: dorchestermd.gov
Why supporters want it
No public statement found.
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
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 Dorchester ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment County Manager Responsibilities
Currently, the duties and responsibilities of the County Manager are specified in Section 405 of the County Charter. A vote in favor of the question amends the duties and responsibilities of the County Manager, as follows: clarifying when certain vacancies may be filled by the County Manager and when certain studies and investigations are performed by the County Manager; requiring the County Manager to attend all County Council meetings; providing for the appointment and function of an Assistant County Manager; clarifying that the County Manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the County government; and establishing a process for the County Council when the County Manager position becomes vacant. A vote against the question will keep the duties and responsibilities of the County Manager as currently specified in the County Charter.
- For the Charter Amendment
- Against the Charter Amendment
Latest news
Recent reporting from a range of outlets, newest first. We link to it; we don't endorse it.
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