Howard County Question ACharter Amendment – Gender Neutrality
What your vote means
A YES vote changes words like "he" and "she" in the County Charter to gender-neutral words like "they."
A NO vote leaves the gender-specific words in the Charter as they are.
Our one-line summary of the official wording.
In plain words
Our summary of the official materials and local reporting.
- The change would replace words like "he," "she," "his," and "her" in the Charter with gender-neutral words. source: cc.howardcountymd.gov
- The question is on the ballot because it changes the Charter, which voters must approve. source: elections.maryland.gov
Cost: The county estimates about $2,600 to update the Charter, to be paid from the Office of Law's operating budget if the County Executive's FY27 budget includes it (source: Council fiscal analysis of CR23-2026).
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
- The Howard County LGBTQIA+ Commission sent a 2025 letter to the County Council and County Executive recommending a review of the Charter's language. The Council then put the change on the ballot through Council Resolution 23-2026. source: cc.howardcountymd.gov
Why supporters want it
- The resolution's sponsors say the change would make the Charter reflect the diversity of the officials, employees, and residents it governs, and make every provision apply equally regardless of gender identity. They note Anne Arundel, Baltimore, and Prince George's counties adopted similar language. source: cc.howardcountymd.gov
Why opponents object
No public statement found.
Who backs each side
- The Howard County LGBTQIA+ Commission recommended the review. source: thebanner.com
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 Howard ballot: elections.maryland.gov .
Charter Amendment Gender Neutrality
The County Charter uses gender-specific words like "he" and "she". The Charter Amendment would replace these types of words with gender-neutral words like "they" and "them". A vote for the Amendment would make gender-neutral changes to the Charter. A vote against the Amendment would leave gender-specific words unchanged in the 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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